Abstract
We tested a threshold-based bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) management approach with the goal of achieving elimination with minimal or no insecticide application. Thirty-two bed bug infested apartments were identified. These apartments were divided into four treatment groups based on apartment size and initial bed bug count, obtained through a combination of visual inspection and bed bug monitors: I- Non-chemical only in apartments with 1–12 bed bug count, II- Chemical control only in apartments with 1–12 bed bug count, III- Non-chemical and chemical control in apartments with >12 bed bug count, and IV- Chemical control only in apartments with ≥11 bed bug count. All apartments were monitored or treated once every two weeks for a maximum of 28 wk. Treatment I eliminated bed bugs in a similar amount of time to treatment II. Time to eliminate bed bugs was similar between treatment III and IV but required significantly less insecticide spray in treatment III than that in treatment IV. A threshold-based management approach (non-chemical only or non-chemical and chemical) can eliminate bed bugs in a similar amount of time, using little to no pesticide compared to a chemical only approach.
Highlights
The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), once thought to be largely eradicated in the U.S, has reemerged in recent years, in urban centers
Beds, sofas, upholstered furniture, and their surrounding areas were inspected and bed bugs were hand-removed with forceps or killed using a “Steamax” steam machine; bed bug-proof mattress encasements (Protect-A-Bed, Wheeling, IL, USA) were installed during initial treatment in all apartments; bed linens and pillow covers were bagged in plastic bags for washing by residents clutter under or surrounding the beds and sofas was removed or reduced; interceptors were installed under legs of beds and upholstered furniture after initial treatment, and were inspected/cleaned during biweekly follow-up visits; and visual inspection of beds and upholstered furniture was conducted during each biweekly visit, and any visible bed bugs were hand-removed or killed using a “Steamax” steam machine
Among the 32 apartments selected for this study, the initial median bed bug count based on interceptors only was 5 (0, 42) and the median bed bug count based on visual inspection only was 3 (0, 200)
Summary
The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), once thought to be largely eradicated in the U.S, has reemerged in recent years, in urban centers. The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. In 2016, revenue from professional bed bug control services and products in U.S reached US $611.2 million [1]. Nationwide, 85% of the pest control companies charged >US $500 for treating each bed bug infestation [2,3]. In addition to the cost for treatment of infestations, people often throw away their infested furniture and personal belongings in an attempt to eliminate bed bugs. Low-income communities suffer disproportionally higher bed bug infestation rates [5,6,7,8]. Numerous insecticide products are available for the treatment of bed bugs and are almost always included in bed bug control programs regardless of infestation levels [9,10,11]
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