Abstract
Bed bug resistance to commonly used pesticide sprays has led to exploring new pesticides and other strategies for bed bug management. Non-chemical methods are effective in bed bug management; however, they do not provide residual protection. Compared to insecticide sprays, dust formulations are considered to provide longer residual control. We evaluated two bed bug management programs in apartment buildings. A building-wide inspection was initially conducted to identify bed bug infested apartments. Selected apartments were divided into two treatment groups: non-chemical plus silica gel dust treatment (10 apartments) and non-chemical treatment (11 apartments). After initial treatment, apartments were re-visited monthly for up to 6 months. During each visit, the total bed bug count per apartment was obtained by examining interceptor traps placed in the apartments and conducting a visual inspection. Mean bed bug count was reduced by 99% and 89% in non-chemical plus silica gel dust and non-chemical treatment, respectively. Non-chemical plus silica gel dust treatment caused significantly higher bed bug count reduction than the non-chemical treatment at 6 months. Bed bugs were eradicated from 40% and 36% of apartments treated with non-chemical plus silica gel dust treatment and non-chemical treatment, respectively.
Highlights
The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), has recently resurged in theU.S The impacts from bed bug infestations on people’s lives include physical, medical, and economic impacts [1,2,3,4]
Bed bugs were eradicated from 40% and 36% of apartments treated with non-chemical plus silica gel dust treatment and non-chemical treatment, respectively
Despite many control approaches developed for the pest management industry, insecticide application, which is often economical and convenient, remains the most popular bed bug control method among professionals [13,14]
Summary
U.S The impacts from bed bug infestations on people’s lives include physical, medical, and economic impacts [1,2,3,4]. Property managers must adopt more effective bed bug detection and control strategies [8,11]. Despite many control approaches developed for the pest management industry, insecticide application, which is often economical and convenient, remains the most popular bed bug control method among professionals [13,14]. Widespread reports on pyrethroid resistance from different countries have accelerated the development and registration of newer formulations and chemistries for effective bed bug management. Insecticide dust is used for bed bug control offering better residual protection than pesticide sprays [18,19]. Silicon dioxide-based (SiO2 ) desiccant dusts are popular, because of their low mammalian toxicity, long residual life (in dry environments), and effectiveness
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