Reserach
Cockroach Control and Allergen Mitigation
Exposure to indoor environmental contaminants is a major health risk factor, particularly in relation to allergic disease and asthma. In the United States alone, >25 million people suffer from asthma, with an estimated annual cost of >$81 billion. Of the indoor environmental risk factors associated with asthma, cockroach allergens are arguably one of the most important, especially for those of lower socio-economic status living in the inner city. Our lab’s work explores novel control strategies in the laboratory and in infested homes to determine efficacy in reducing cockroach populations. Furthermore, we are exploring cockroach allergen environmental entry and mitigation strategies. Our goal is to find effective, affordable, and sustainable management practices that eradicate cockroaches from all homes.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Pest Control
Do-it-yourself (DIY) pest control is becoming more popular each year. With increased popularity, there comes increased health risks to end users, particularly if they use ineffective products. Many over-the-counter (OTC) pesticide products such as ready-to-use (RTU) liquid sprays, aerosols sprays, and total release foggers (TRFs, “bug bombs”) are commonly used with little to no information on efficacy. Our lab’s work explores the efficacy of these products, reasons for their failure, and ways policy might be shifted to limit the use of products that do not control the pests they are labeled for.
Indoor Pest Behavior
To improve management of indoor pests, it is critical to understand how they function and behave. To this end, our lab investigates behaviors such as foraging, harborage selection, host finding, and insecticide repellency using both classical and modern techniques.
Bed Bugs and Human Health
Bed bugs have resurged globally during the last 20 years, becoming a ubiquitous indoor pest. They severely affect our quality of life, particularly for those living in disadvantaged communities where populations can be large and management options are often lacking. Despite these problems, we still do not fully understand how bed bugs impact human health. Our lab’s work explores emerging contaminants associated with bed bugs, including histamine, a biogenic amine excreted by bed bugs that accumulates in house dust. Through collaborations, we are also exploring the epidemiological link between bed bug infestations and asthma.
