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Eonomical Heat Treatment for Bedbugs. Philip G. Koehler, Roberto Pereira, and Margie Pfiester Urban Entomology Building 352-392-2484 pgk@ufl.edu. Thermal Death Point for Bed Bugs. 111-113 degrees Fahrenheit 44-45 degrees Celsius. Killing Bed Bugs Bed bugs at least 113 F.
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Eonomical Heat Treatment for Bedbugs Philip G. Koehler, Roberto Pereira, and Margie Pfiester Urban Entomology Building 352-392-2484 pgk@ufl.edu
Thermal Death Point for Bed Bugs • 111-113 degrees Fahrenheit • 44-45 degrees Celsius
Commercial Heat Treatment • Heat whole room or whole structure • Expensive equipment • $20,000-$50,000 • Lengthy procedure • No residual effect • Very visible
Effect of High Temperatures on Bed Bugs • Expose bed bugs to high temperatures in a water bath • 2 bugs per tube • Temperatures of 103-120F • Exposures of 0.5-240 min • Record bed bug mortality • 1 min later • 24 h later
How long does it take to kill bed bugs with heat? 109oF 113oF 106oF 117oF 120oF 2 min 4 min 25 min 1 min 100 min Minutes to 100% Mortality
Thermal Death Time Curve Rise in Temperature of 7 degrees F decreases time to kill by10 times
Summary of Lab Studies • Temperatures above 106 F kill bed bugs • An increase of 7 F reduces time to kill by 10 times • >100 min at 106 F • 10 min at 113 F • 1 min at 120 F • Heat is the “Achilles heel” for bed bugs
First attempt at heat treatment 2 heaters Space heater 6 mil poly sheeting Oscillating fan
First attempt at heat treatment Polyethylene 6 mil poly sheeting 2 space heaters
First attempt at heat treatmentPolyethylene • Too much heat loss with Polyethylene sheeting 106.3 F 105.6 F Started: 9 AM Ended: 4 PM F F F 69.8 82.2 100.2 106.7
Second attempt at heat treatment Poly sheeting covered with blankets 4 heaters and fans
Second attempt at heat treatmentBlankets 108.7 F 111.2 F Started: 9:30 AM Ended: 3:07 PM F F F 75.4 84.9 125.2 131 69.8 82.2 100.2 106.7
Third Attempt at Heat TreatmentStyrofoam Heat Chamber Carpeted floor
Third Attempt at Heat TreatmentStyrofoam Heat Chamber Under pillow Under mattress 113.4 F 141 F Started: 9:00 AM Ended: 11:20 PM F F F 73.2 80.1 112 141.4 69.8 82.2 100.2 106.7
Fourth Attempt at Heat TreatmentStyrofoam Heat Chamber Fans/Heaters poorly placed Tile floor F F F 79.8 100.5 131.7 69.8 82.2 100.2 106.7
Summary of Field Tests • Space heaters can heat up to 140-150 F • Oil-filled eliminates chance of fire • Styrofoam heat box contains heat better than plastic or blankets • 2 inch thick styrofoam • Tile/Concrete floors need to be insulated • Carpet padding or foam play pads • Circulation of heat is important • Fan & heater placement at opposite corners
Equipment for Heat Treatment 6 polystyrene sheets 2 heaters 2 box fans 1 oscillating fan Extension cords and power strip
Insulation for Floors: Tile/Terrazo/Concrete Interlocking foam play pads Carpet remnants
Temperature Monitoring Thermometers Data Loggers
Equipment • 2 Space heaters • $99.90
Equipment • 6 Polystyrene sheets (4 by 8 ft) • $137.76
Equipment • 2 Box fans • $27.34
Equipment • 1 Oscillating fan • $29.95
Equipment • 2 Thermometers • $17.94
Equipment Costs$312.89 • 2 Space heaters • 6 Polystyrene sheets • 2 Box fans • 1 Oscillating fan • 2 Thermometers • 2 Extension cords; power strip • Duct or packing tape
Set-up of heat chamber for bed bug control Foam insulation Heater Fan Bed Fan Heater Foam insulation
Power ConsiderationsOne circuit for each fan and heater • Heater • Draws ~12 amps • Fan • Draws ~3 amps • Total • ~15 amps 20 amp circuit breakers
Important Points for Heat Treatment • Check amperage of outlets • Plug heaters into 2 separate circuits • Position of thermometers is important • Place where heat will take longest to get hot • Like cooking a turkey • Heat containment/circulation is important • Like a convection oven • Floor & box insulation • Fans to create most turbulence • Treat room with residual product