FAQ – Bedbug DNA test (PCR test)

The analysis times vary depending on the analysis service:

For diagnostic detection (dPCR, cePCR) we usually need a maximum of 2-3 weeks from sample receipt.

For the bedbug PCR test, we need one week from receipt of the sample.

Metabarcoding can take up to 3 months, but the result is usually obtained after 8 weeks.

In order to be able to carry out the analysis at a reasonable price, it is carried out in a kind of “bus system” – a sufficient total quantity of samples must be available. There is a fixed number of places per run.  This analysis bus is started once at the beginning of the month. This means that the results for all samples that reach our laboratory by the first of the month can be viewed in your account by the first of the following month at the latest.

Bettwanzen sind blutsaugende Insekten. Ihre Hauptwirte sind Menschen, aber auch Haustiere. Sie sind se

Bedbugs are blood-sucking insects. Their main hosts are humans, but also pets. They are very hardy and can live for months without food. They are reddish-brown in color and approx. 4-8 mm in size. Before each moult, the animals have to suck blood, for which they leave their hiding place. They exude a bitter almond-like, often unpleasant odor.

After the blood meal, bedbugs hide in cracks, behind moldings or picture frames. There you can often see brownish-red deposits of their remains.

hr widerstandsfähig und können monatelang ohne Nahrung leben. Sie sind rotbraun gefärbt und ca. 4-8 mm groß. Vor jeder Häutung müssen die Tiere Blut saugen, wozu sie ihr Versteck verlassen. Sie verströmen einen bittermandelartigen, oft unangenehmen Geruch.

Nach der Blutmahlzeit verkriechen sich Bettwanzen in Ritzen, hinter Leisten oder Bilderrahmen. Dort sind oft bräunlichrote Ablagerungen ihrer Hinterlassenschaften festzustellen.

The diagnosis of “bedbug infestation” is usually based on suspicion after a bite, without clear evidence of the presence of the animals. If this is accompanied by recourse claims, this leads to avoidable costs as well as in the case of unnecessary control measures. Until now, time-consuming investigations were necessary (extensive room inspections, spraying) to determine the cause of the infestation.

On the other hand, if an infestation is detected too late, the animals can spread across several rooms on a floor and beyond. This leads to an enormous financial outlay for the remediation measures and possible reputational damage as well as recourse claims.

Detecting a bed bug infestation can be difficult, especially in the case of light infestations, if the hiding places of the animals cannot be clearly identified. If a bed bug infestation is suspected, it is advisable to call in a professional pest controller. Only a clear diagnosis will enable successful control.

The bed bug PCR test provides clarity! Take the opportunity to detect bed bugs discreetly, cost-effectively and at an early stage.

They can be found in second-hand items such as furniture. In accommodation, they hide behind moldings, picture frames, cupboards and cracks. They are usually brought home with the luggage of hotel guests.

The characteristic bite marks are usually noticeable. The remains can be recognized as brown-red stains on walls and mattress edges. It can be difficult to detect a bed bug infestation in rooms, especially in the case of light infestations, as the hiding places of the animals are often difficult to identify. If an infestation is suspected, it is advisable to carry out a PCR test. It is best to check the suitcase and the bedrooms.

Only a clear diagnosis enables efficient control.

Until now, sniffer dogs, antigen tests and visual inspections have been used to identify an infestation.

Early detection is hardly possible through inspection alone.

Sniffer dogs are not always available, are expensive to use and, like humans, are not infallible.

Antigen tests are non-specific, as they also react to other animals such as house dust mites or carpet beetles – the result remains uncertain.

The PCR test is easy to store, can be used at any time and provides a reliable result.

The PCR test is specially designed for bedbug DNA. In the event of an infestation, we can detect the different types of bedbugs, such as the common bedbug, bat bug or tropical bedbug.

Our test is based on a high-precision DNA analysis that determines with 99.99% accuracy whether bedbugs are present or not. For the analysis, DNA traces of bed bugs are checked from the dust sample. These can be extracted from dead bed bugs, eggs, remains of moulting and traces of droppings.

Even small amounts of DNA are sufficient for our highly sensitive PCR test. These are then analyzed in our laboratory. The DNA of the bedbugs, if present, is extracted from the sample, amplified and assigned to the corresponding species.

There are no false positives due to other insects such as mites or carpet beetles.

Bed bugs are among the longest-lived insects. Adults can reach an age of up to nineteen months. They feed exclusively on blood and require a meal from a host in order to develop and reproduce between instars (life stages).

Bed bugs can starve for months, so rooms that are unoccupied for long periods of time may well still be infested with bugs.

After a bite, the female withdraws for egg maturation. In a warm room, a single female can be expected to lay 15 – 25 eggs per week and up to 500 eggs in her lifetime as long as she has constant access to food and is regularly mated.

If an infestation is overlooked, a large number of animals can develop within a very short time, spreading rapidly and infesting other rooms.

Early detection allows a rapid response and treatment of the rooms and prevents the massive consequential damage that can result.

Yes, there are different types of bed bugs. These can be easily detected with our test. The most common bugs indoors are the tropical bed bug, the common bed bug and the bat bug.

The common bed bug often finds its way indoors through luggage, clothing or used furniture.

The tropical bed bug is often spread by travelers.

The bat bug usually originates from bats in attics or walls and then migrates into living spaces or interiors.

If no bed bug DNA is detected, this is an indication that no bed bugs have been present in the area/room tested There is no evidence of an actual infestation.

The result refers to the last sample taken. If there is still a suspicion, a new analysis is required to provide final clarity.

Once the test is positive, it is clear that bed bugs are present in the vacuumed area.

As a measure, it is advisable to carry out a thorough inspection of the entire affected area to determine the exact extent of the infestation. Particular attention should be paid to cracks, crevices, mattresses and slats as well as picture frames, as bed bugs are often difficult to find.

In the event of an infestation, professional pest control is advisable. Once the control measures have been taken, continuous monitoring is recommended to ensure that the infestation is completely eliminated. Our bedbug PCR test is the ideal solution for this.

The test is based on the analysis of DNA traces from the material you collect. To do this, vacuum your upholstery or mattress and simply take a sample from the vacuum cleaner bag, send it back to us and we will carry out the DNA analysis. DNA analysis also allows us to determine the type of bedbug (common bedbug, tropical bedbug, bat bug). Detailed sampling instructions are included in the sample kit. Finally, you will receive a report on the results of the analysis.