Bed Bug Treatment Simulation

Bed Bug Treatment Lab

Explore how natural selection shapes pest populations. Watch as bed bugs evolve resistance to pesticides in real-time!

This simulation demonstrates Hardy-Weinberg population genetics and the evolution of pesticide resistance.

Each bug carries genes that determine pesticide resistance:

Normal Bug Resistant Bug

Resistance is dominant — bugs with even one resistance allele survive DDT. The q frequency tracks how common the resistance allele becomes.

🧴 DDT Spray — Effective but drives resistance evolution

♨️ Steam — Heat-based, no resistance possible

🧺 Wash Sheets — Hot water removes bugs and eggs

🔌 Vacuum — Physical removal, disrupts egg development

📱 Professionals — Industrial methods, 95% success rate

Select a tool from the dock, then click on the bed to use it!

Two graphs help you monitor the battle:

Population Over Time: Shows total normal (brown) and resistant (gold) bugs. Watch for population rebounds after treatments!

Allele Frequency (q): Tracks how common the resistance gene becomes. A rising q means resistance is spreading through natural selection.

Can you eradicate the infestation without creating a super-resistant population?

Overusing DDT will kill normal bugs but leave resistant ones to reproduce. Try combining different treatments strategically!

Tip: New bugs occasionally arrive from outside — stay vigilant!