This photo taken on October 8, 2025, shows a researcher manipulating bed bugs to identify their gender at a laboratory of the Science University of Malaysia (USM) in George Town, on Penang island. Bed bugs often spark itchy scares around the world, but Malaysian scientists have discovered how the much-loathed creepy crawlies can be turned into unlikely crime-busting allies. (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with "MALAYSIA-RESEARCH-CRIME-ANIMALS,FOCUS" by Isabelle LEONG

This photo taken on October 8, 2025, shows researchers identifying the gender of bed bugs at a laboratory of the Science University of Malaysia (USM) in George Town, on Penang island. Bed bugs often spark itchy scares around the world, but Malaysian scientists have discovered how the much-loathed creepy crawlies can be turned into unlikely crime-busting allies. (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with "MALAYSIA-RESEARCH-CRIME-ANIMALS,FOCUS" by Isabelle LEONG

This photo taken on October 8, 2025, shows postdoctoral researcher Lim Li holding a sample containing a crushed bed bug at a laboratory of the Science University of Malaysia (USM) in George Town, on Penang island. Bed bugs often spark itchy scares around the world, but Malaysian scientists have discovered how the much-loathed creepy crawlies can be turned into unlikely crime-busting allies. (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with "MALAYSIA-RESEARCH-CRIME-ANIMALS,FOCUS" by Isabelle LEONG

This photo taken on October 8, 2025, shows tools used by researchers to handle bed bugs at a laboratory of the Science University of Malaysia (USM) in George Town, on Penang island. Bed bugs often spark itchy scares around the world, but Malaysian scientists have discovered how the much-loathed creepy crawlies can be turned into unlikely crime-busting allies. (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with "MALAYSIA-RESEARCH-CRIME-ANIMALS,FOCUS" by Isabelle LEONG

This photo taken on October 8, 2025, shows a bed bug crawling on a mattress at a laboratory of the Science University of Malaysia (USM) in George Town, on Penang island. Bed bugs often spark itchy scares around the world, but Malaysian scientists have discovered how the much-loathed creepy crawlies can be turned into unlikely crime-busting allies. (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with "MALAYSIA-RESEARCH-CRIME-ANIMALS,FOCUS" by Isabelle LEONG

This photo taken on October 8, 2025, shows a dead bed bug pictured at a laboratory of the Science University of Malaysia (USM) in George Town, on Penang island. Bed bugs often spark itchy scares around the world, but Malaysian scientists have discovered how the much-loathed creepy crawlies can be turned into unlikely crime-busting allies. (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with "MALAYSIA-RESEARCH-CRIME-ANIMALS,FOCUS" by Isabelle LEONG

This photo, taken on October 8, 2025, shows entomologist Abdul Hafiz Ab Majid (R) and his team observing bed bug eggs at a laboratory of the Science University of Malaysia (USM) in George Town, on Penang island. Bed bugs often spark itchy scares around the world, but Malaysian scientists have discovered how the much-loathed creepy crawlies can be turned into unlikely crime-busting allies. (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with "MALAYSIA-RESEARCH-CRIME-ANIMALS,FOCUS" by Isabelle LEONG

This photo taken on October 8, 2025, shows a researcher allowing bed bugs to feed on his arm as part of a scientific study at a laboratory of the Science University of Malaysia (USM) in George Town, on Penang island. Bed bugs often spark itchy scares around the world, but Malaysian scientists have discovered how the much-loathed creepy crawlies can be turned into unlikely crime-busting allies. (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with "MALAYSIA-RESEARCH-CRIME-ANIMALS,FOCUS" by Isabelle LEONG