SFU researchers invent first effective bed bug bait and trap

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By giving blood weekly to her life partner's bug experiment, SFU scientist Regine Gries has all but given us the gift of freedom from bed bug torture.

Researchers from Simon Fraser University are hopeful they have discovered a way to get rid of bed bugs.

According to anew study,SFU biology professor Gerhard Gries and chemist Robert Britton have developed a pheromone to attract bed bugs into traps.

The bed bug pheromone consists of five volatile components that attract bed bugs combined with histamine, which signals safe shelter to the bug, causing them to stay put.

WATCH: Tips for dealing with bed bugs

At least one SFU researcher made a personal sacrifice in the name of science. Regine Gries, wife of lead researcher Gerhard Gries, suffered180,000 bed bug bites as part of the research. Shemay endure more bites as they work to finalize a commercial product.

Im not too thrilled about this, said Regine Gries, who is allergic to bug cites, in a statement, but knowing how much this technology will benefit so many people, its all worth it.

Once thought to be eradicated in developed nations, bed bugs have reappeared across Canada and around the globe.

Locally, bed bugs have been an ongoing problem in Vancouver and around B.C.In 2011, BC Housing spent nearly $750,000 dealing with bed bugs.

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SFU researchers invent first effective bed bug bait and trap