Understanding Bed Bug Treatment and Inspection Methods Jim Fredericks National Pest Management Association
Mar 31, 2015
Understanding Bed Bug Treatment and Inspection
MethodsJim Fredericks
National Pest Management Association
Bed Bugs in America
• 95% of pest professionals reported treating for bed bugs last year.
• 20% report bed bug infestations greater than 10 years ago
• 76% of professionals said bed bugs are THE SINGLE MOST DIFFICULT PEST TO CONTROL
All statistics are from surveys by NPMA
NPMA Blue Ribbon Task Force
INDUSTRY
ACADEMICS
REGULATORS
Best Management Practices for Bed Bugs
The dialogue began in October 2010
Multiple webinars, conference calls, discussions and stakeholder meetings
Results! NPMA Bed Bug Best Management Practices adopted in January 2011
Best Management Practices: Guiding Principles
Integrated Methods
Community-Wide Approach
Consumer Protection
Professionalism
Consumer Protection
Before beginning service:• Identify active infestation• Communicate fees• Communicate details of service• Communicate realistic expectations
Provide bed bug specific information with agreements
Canine teams require 3rd party certification
Integrated Methods
Describes best practices for multiple methods of control • Non-chemical • Steam• Vacuum • Heat• Freeze
• Traditional options• Monitoring devices • Active monitors• Passive monitors
Community-Wide Approach
Generally discourage disposal of mattresses and furniture
Recommendations for inspection and treatment of surrounding areas and adjacent rooms
Recommendations for training and educating hotel and facility staff about bed bug identification
Education
Training requirements for all employees
Additional requirements for technicians or salespeople involved in bed bug work
Recommendations for educating clients
Client preparation communication
Professionalism
Encourages professionalism through• Business practice recommendations • Service agreement guidelines• Recordkeeping practices• Training requirements• Inspection practices• Integrated Pest Management
approaches
Professionalism
Encourages professionalism through• Business practice recommendations • Service agreement guidelines• Recordkeeping practices• Training requirements• Inspection practices• Integrated Pest Management
approaches
Best Management Practices
Available in English and Spanish…in full, and consumer-friendly, light
versions at:
www.bedbugbmps.org
What Control Methods are Being Used?
Canine Scent Detection
Visual Inspections
Monitoring Devices
Encasements
Vacuums
Traditional Insecticides
Steam
Extreme Freezing
Heat Treatment
Fumigation
Canine Scent Detection
Canine Scent Detection
Pros
Well trained teams can detect bed bugs with up to 98% accuracy
Speed
Can detect low-level infestations
Cons
Teams must train on a daily basis
Dogs sometimes have bad days and false alerts can occur
Request proof of third party certification for canine teams and visual confirmation of infestation.
Visual Inspections
Visual Inspections
Pros
Humans can integrate facts to enhance search parameters
Visual confirmation is proof of infestation
Cons
Labor intensive
Low level infestations are hard to detect
Often involves moving furniture and possessions
Monitoring Devices
????
Monitoring Devices
Pros
Can be used to monitor when visual inspections are inconclusive
Proactive approach
Can be used to measure post treatment success
Cons
The most effective bait is a human host
Detect bed bugs over days or weeks
Low level infestations can be missed
Cost can be a factor
Mattress & Box Spring Encasements
Mattress & Box Spring Encasements
Pros
Makes inspection easier
Seals bugs and eggs inside mattress and box spring
Easy to install
Cons
Not all encasements are created equal
Ripped covers don’t work
Covers can’t be removed for laundering
Vacuums
Vacuums
Pros
Physical removal bed bug evidence
Remove large numbers of bed bugs quickly
Good for sensitive areas
Cons
Eggs are sometimes hard to dislodge
Labor intensive
Traditional Insecticides
Traditional Insecticides
Pros
Multiple formulations available for different treatment sites
Many products available
Cons
Labor intensive treatment
Resistant populations have been reported
Sensitivity may be a concern
Steam
Heat Kills Bed Bugs
Steam
Steam Treatments
Pros
No residue
Good for sensitive areas
Destroys all life stages, including eggs
Effective on fabrics and complex substrates
Penetrates fabrics and cracks (1/4 inch in fabric, 2 inches in cracks)
Cons
No residual
Labor intensive
Some surfaces are heat sensitive
Temperatures must exceed 120 F to kill all life stages
Heat Treatments
Heat Treatments
Pros
No residue
Good for sensitive areas
Destroys all life stages, including eggs
Effective in complex environments
Cons
No residual
Specialized equipment required
Some items are heat sensitive
Temperatures must exceed 122 F to kill all life stages
Temperatures must be constantly monitored
Freezing
Freezing
Pros
“Dry” CO2 snow (-109 F)
Good for sensitive areas
Kills all life stages
Cons
No residual activity
Care must be taken not to blow eggs or bugs off surfaces
Fumigation
Fumigation
Pros
100% kill of all life stages including eggs
Excellent efficacy in cluttered or complex environments
Cons
Highly specialized, not offered by all firms
Extensive preparation
Relatively expensive
No residual
The Bottom Line…
There is no silver bullet
Multiple methods may be employed that can result in a successful treatment
Bed bug management is labor intensive
Always choose a qualified, licensed professional