Understanding Bed Bug Treatment and Inspection Methods Jim 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

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 Education 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 3 rd 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:

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

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

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

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 dont work Covers cant be removed for laundering

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

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

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

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

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