Tags
New Study Touts the Benefits of Being a Bear: Bedbugs Abhor Body Hair
No bedbugs on the bellies of these bears!
Hungry bugs placed on shaved arms were more likely to try to feed compared with those on unshaved arms, the journal Biology Letters reported.
Researchers say the hair slows down the bed bugs and warns the victim.
Pest controllers say the UK is currently experiencing a steep rise in the number of bed bug infestations.
Prof Michael Siva-Jothy, from Sheffield University’s Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, recruited 29 brave volunteers to test the theory further, watching the bedbugs as they found a place to feed and removing them only as they were about to bite.
Prof Siva-Jothy said: “Our findings show that more body hairs mean better detection of parasites – the hairs have nerves attached to them and provide us with the ability to detect displacement.”
While the study may have confirmed the evolutionary benefit of being a bearish gay man in London or New York City, literal bears along with most of the animal kingdom covered in fur are screwed. It’s the fine covering of human body hair that assists in deterring parasites.
The thick layers of animal fur provide those same pests with shelter, and practically beg parasites to break ground on a vermin condo complex complete with tiny gym, child care facilities, and golf course. OMG, can you imagine?
Congratulations to you all the bears out there. Sleep tight!
And while we’re at it, this seems as good of a time as any to remind you about the most epic bear video of all time. Go on now!
(via BBC)
