A new fungal biopesticide is highly effective even against bed-bug populations that are insecticide resistant, according to an article on the Infection Control Today website.

A study from Penn State and North Carolina State universities suggests that a new mycoinsecticide developed at Penn State may provide a new tool for managing bed-bug infestations, which have surged in recent years.

There is evidence that many bed-bug populations have developed resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. This resistance may lead to cross-resistance to other classes of insecticides.

Aprehend is based on Beauveria bassiana, a natural fungus that causes disease in insects. Previous studies have shown that the formulation can be applied as a long-lasting barrier treatment, according to the article. Bed bugs that cross the barrier acquire fungal spores and go on to spread these among insects that remain in their harborages, resulting in greater than 95 percent mortality within a week.

Read the article.