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BedBug CONTROL
PRACTICAL TIPS

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The situation regarding bedbugs in the UK has been well reported in recent years. In short, they are a problem! In response
to the reported problems, a number of useful technical references regarding bedbug biology and control have been produced.
This brief guide aims to provide useful practical tips for bedbug control, complementing existing publications such as the
Greater London Pest Liaison Group Good Practice Guides, the Killgerm Bedbug Manual and advisory documents from
overseas, like the ‘Code of Practice for the Control of Bed Bug Infestations in Australia’.
What follows is not a step-by-step guide to control, but a collection of ‘pointers’ that may help experienced technicians and
new-starters alike.
Identification
When bedbug activity has been confirmed, it is important to identify the bedbug species. Remember that as well as the
common bedbug Cimex lectularius, other species can be found in the UK, such as the pigeon bug Cimex columbarius,
bat bugs Cimex pipistrelli and the martin bug Oeciacus hirundinis. Knowing which species you are dealing with will help
pinpoint the source(s) of the bug activity. It is worth noting that the tropical bedbug, Cimex hemipterus, is found in many
parts of the world and occasionally turns up in the UK.
Identification tips:
• Carry screw-top sample jars and a x10 hand lens for insect identification in the field
• Consult an identification reference for guidance
• If you are photographing a pest for ID, take a picture of the dorsal and ventral surfaces (top and bottom) and from the
side and another of the specimen next to a scale
• Seek identification from an entomologist if you are unsure which insect species you are dealing with
• Digital microscopes are available should you wish to take detailed photographs of a specimen to aid identification
Products available:
Magnifying glass, digital microscope.
Magnifying glass
sTEREO MiCROsCOPE XE5-70C-2l
digiTal MiCROsCOPE digiTal MiCROsCOPE sTand

Inspection
A thorough visual inspection should be conducted and the guidance documents listed in the introduction of this booklet
give excellent advice on how to carry out such inspections.
useful practical tips include:
• Use a torch to illuminate dark cracks & crevices
• Carry a hand lens to aid close-up inspection
• A flushing agent (generally a pyrethroid insecticidal spray) is an essential part of a thorough inspection, as visual
inspection with a torch and/or hand lens will generally not reveal all the bedbugs present
• Consider the use of a bedbug detection kit*
* Bedbug detection kits are a new tool available to aid inspections. The kits contain a speciality torch used in forensic investigations. Proteins
from bedbug blood-spotting, exuviae (cast cuticle) and eggs fluoresce in the torch light, when viewed through orange filter goggles.
Products available:
Torches, flushing agent (e.g. Bayer Flying Insect Killer), bedbug detection kit.
MagliTE TORCh BayER flying insECT KillER BEdBug dETECTiOn KiT
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Monitoring & Prevention
Monitoring and prevention methods are an essential part of any Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme and
bedbug control is no exception.
Monitors, barriers and mattress encasements can all prove useful. It should be recognised that these tools are not control
measures. They are suitable as; ‘early-warning’ systems, preventative measures before bedbugs are introduced, part
of post-treatment procedures, including determining the success of treatments and identifying areas that require further
attention.
Research from the University of Florida Urban Entomology department has shown that female bedbugs disperse from
the established harbourages to avoid multiple traumatic inseminations and male bugs will also disperse to avoid mating
competition with other males (Pfiester et al., 2008). This dispersal behaviour should be taken into account when monitoring
for bedbugs and it is advisable to use a number of bedbug monitors placed strategically throughout a room - do not just
place the monitors near the bed.
There are many different bedbug monitors available and some practical tips on their use are:
• Use passive traps that are ‘harbourage mimics’ - these allow continuous monitoring for bedbug activity
• Select bedbug monitors that are discreet for use in bedrooms
• Monitors with a white outer case are particularly appropriate, as ‘blood spots’, frequently produced by bedbugs, can easily
be identified on the white surface
• If inexpensive bedbug monitors are used, it is possible to deploy a reasonable number in a room, without concerns over cost
• Give careful consideration when placing the monitors to maximise their efficacy. Place them behind bed headboards, on
the sides of mattresses, underneath beds, behind bedside cabinets etc.
• Use ‘active’ bedbug monitors based on heat attractants to give a snapshot of bedbug activity over a number of days
Products available:
Killgerm bedbug monitor, BB Alert - Active Bedbug Monitor, Bug Dome, bedbug detector.
KillgERM BEdBug MOniTOR
BEdBug dETECTOR
BB alERT - aCTivE BEdBug MOniTOR Bug dOME

Mattress encasements are a key component of an overall bedbug management programme. Their use is supported by
scientific evidence and expert recommendations, as described in the article ‘Bedbugs and Mattress Encasements’, in Issue
86 of Pest Control News.
• Use mattress encasements to prevent bedbugs from accessing the mattress
• Quality encasements will contain any bugs that remain on the mattress
• The seamless surface of mattress encasements provides fewer available harbourage sites for bedbugs than an
unprotected mattress
• Select a ‘bite proof’ encasement so any bedbugs trapped underneath are unable to bite through the covering
• Choose an encasement with a ‘bug proof’ zip, which prevents bedbug escape and penetration
• Make sure the mattress encasement has been tested extensively, by an independent research laboratory using scientific
methodology
• Use mattress encasements to avoid the need to dispose of mattresses that are harbouring bedbugs
• Protect the mattress post-insecticide treatment, in order to give long-term protection whilst minimising insecticide use
after initial application
Barrier devices are now available that are designed to prevent bedbugs climbing beyond the bed legs.
• Use bedbug barrier devices such as the Bed Bug Moat ® . The Bed Bug Moat ® will capture, inside the moat, any bug that
comes from the floor area.
• Place the barriers correctly - underneath the furniture legs, ensuring no part of the bed (or bed linen) touches the wall
or floor
Two final recommendations regarding monitoring devices are - they should be checked frequently with monitoring data
recorded regularly and crucially, monitors never replace the hard work and keen eye of the technician!
Products available:
Protect-A-Bed ® mattress covers, polythene mattress disposal bags, Bed Bug Moat ® .
PROTECT-a-BEd ® MaTTREss COvERs
BEd Bug MOaT ®
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Insecticides & resistance
management
Various types of insecticidal resistance in bedbugs have been reported in the UK and overseas. Resistance to pyrethroids
has been confirmed (Boase, 2006 & 2007; Kilpinen et al., 2008; Miller et al., 2009; Romero et al., 2007; Yoon et al.,
2008). Some degree of resistance to bendiocarb (a carbamate) has been reported (Boase, 2006 & 2007). Metabolic
resistance has been suggested (Barile et al., 2008). Even behavioural resistance has been observed (Haynes et al., 2009).
Regarding the UK reports of resistance to pyrethroids and bendiocarb, it is essential to realise that resistance cannot be
used as an excuse for treatment failure in most cases – current results are based on technical insecticide, not formulated
insecticide. Formulated insecticide, at recommended application rates, may give higher mortality. Furthermore, many
current treatments utilise a combination of carbamates and pyrethroids and feedback indicates that treatment using these
chemicals is generally successful.
The best ways to counteract physiological resistance to insecticides in bedbugs and to achieve control are:
• Refrain from repeated use of the same insecticide or related products in the same class of insecticides
• Choose insecticides from all the available classes on a rotational basis to slow resistance development. For example, if
pyrethroids are used in the first treatment, use a carbamate in the second treatment, or vice versa.
• Also involve insect growth regulators (Nylar) and diatomaceous earth (Killgerid), where appropriate
These practical tips regarding insecticide use are backed up by scientific evidence. Research confirms that diatomaceous
earths, are effective against bedbugs (Doggett & Russell, 2008). Insect growth regulators are proving useful, including the
active ingredient in Nylar, which is Pyriproxyfen (Boase, 2001) and methoprene (Naylor et al., 2008).
University of Kentucky research has shown that some strains of bedbugs exhibit behavioural avoidance of pyrethroids (Haynes
et al., 2009). It appears that the bedbugs showing behavioural resistance when they encounter treated, but unoccupied
harbourages, keep moving to avoid them and settle in an occupied harbourage or an untreated area. This behaviour brings with
it a risk that a pyrethroid treatment could help to spread a resistant population of bedbugs.
• Where behavioural avoidance of pyrethoids is suspected, use non-repellent insecticides based on bendiocarb e.g. Ficam W.
If metabolic resistance is suspected, the following action is recommended;
• Synergists may improve control
• Select an insecticide incorporating a synergist such as Piperonyl Butoxide (e.g. Stingray)
Research from Australia has suggested a hierachy of insecticides, those at the top of the list being more likely to provide the
best level of control (Lilly et al., 2009).
1 Synergised 4th generation synthetic pyrethroids (e.g. Stingray)
2 Non-synergised 4th generation synthetic pyrethroids (e.g. Deltamax, Alphamax, K-Othrine WG250, Fendona 6SC) and
carbamates (e.g. Ficam W)
3 Synthetic pyrethroids 3rd generation (e.g. Insectaban)
4 Natural pyrethrins (low efficacy)

Liquid insecticide recommendations:
• The efficacy of products such as K-Othrine WG250 and Ficam W can be improved by the addition of Nylar (active ingredient
is the growth regulator Pyriproxyfen) as a tank mix
• Products such as Cimetrol and Tenopa are based on 4th generation synthetic pyrethroids, with insect growth regulators
already included
• Microencapsulated 4th generation pyrethroids are also available, for prolonged control, e.g. Demand CS (active ingredient,
lambda-cyhalothrin)
• Always read the label prior to use - few insecticides are approved for use on mattresses
It is also important to note that a Romero study from 2009 is not the first to show that resistant bedbugs are more susceptible
to wet deposits of insecticides rather than dry deposits. Taking this into account, the following practical tips should prove
useful;
• Find all harbourages and directly treat the bedbugs wherever possible
• Treatment techniques and insecticidal formulatons are therefore just as important as correct choice of insecticides
Products available:
K-Othrine WG250, Ficam W, Demand CS, Tenopa, Cimetrol, Stingray, Fendona 6SC, Alphamax, Deltamax,
Nylar 4EW, Killgerid.
Physical control
Data exists regarding laundering procedures for bedbug control (Naylor & Boase, 2010) and is summarised in all good bedbug
guidance documents. However, the tumble drying data was not obtained with domestic tumble dryers.
Tests with domestic tumble dryers have now been undertaken. When dealing with wet bedding, the recommended total cycle
time (80-120 minutes as indicated on the dryer) for ‘dry cotton’ was enough to meet the time/temperature requirements
for elimination of all bedbug life stages i.e. 40°C and above for 30 minutes (Isabel Jowett, Killgerm Chemicals, personal
communication, February 2011).
The same study also noted that the time dial on domestic tumble dryers includes a 10 minute cooling cycle, inclusive of the
total drying cycle.
Therefore, a 30-minute cycle under ‘high’ setting will only consist of 20 minutes of heat treatment, followed by 10 minutes
cooling. This is not always sufficient to kill all bedbug life stages.
It is important to specify that when using a domestic tumble dryer, the treatment time of 30 minutes on the ‘high’ setting
should be exclusive of the 10 minutes cooling time near the end of a cycle. It is necessary to follow this procedure for all life
stages of the bedbugs to be killed by exposure to temperatures of 40°C and above for 30 minutes.
Bedding and clothing containing bedbugs should be bagged, prior to being transferred to the tumble dryer.
WaTER sOluBlE laundRy Bags
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Killgerm Chemicals Limited, PO Box 2, Ossett, West Yorkshire, WF5 9NA
Tel: 01924 268400 Fax: 01924 267874 email: training@killgerm.com
www.killgerm.com