In order to find out whether these bacteria could communicate and stop others from communicating, we conducted two tests. In the first test, we grew the bacteria on a special food that would turn purple if the bacteria collected from the bedbug organs produced the molecules needed to communicate. In the second test, we used another food that would turn milky white if the bacteria stopped the signal molecules of other bacteria.
More than half of the bacterial species were able to communicate and about three quarters (72%) were able to stop other bacteria from communicating. Half of the bacterial species were even able to stop the growth of other bacteria. Although stopping the growth of other bacteria is not really communication, bacteria that can do this dramatically increase their possibility of surviving and getting nutrients.

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