Eonomical Heat Treatment for Bedbugs

1. Eonomical Heat Treatment for Bedbugs Philip G. Koehler, Roberto Pereira, and Margie Pfiester Urban Entomology Building 352-392-2484 pgk@ufl.edu

4. Thermal Death Point for Bed Bugs • 111-113 degrees Fahrenheit • 44-45 degrees Celsius

5. Killing Bed BugsBed bugs at least 113 F

7. Commercial Heat Treatment • Heat whole room or whole structure • Expensive equipment • $20,000-$50,000 • Lengthy procedure • No residual effect • Very visible

8. Commercial Heat Treatment

9. Bed Bug Whole Room Heat Treatment

10. 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

11. 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

12. Thermal Death Time Curve Rise in Temperature of 7 degrees F decreases time to kill by10 times

13. 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

14. First attempt at heat treatment 2 heaters Space heater 6 mil poly sheeting Oscillating fan

15. First attempt at heat treatment Polyethylene 6 mil poly sheeting 2 space heaters

16. 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

17. Second attempt at heat treatment Poly sheeting covered with blankets 4 heaters and fans

18. 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

19. Second attempt at heat treatmentBlankets

20. Third Attempt at Heat TreatmentStyrofoam Heat Chamber Carpeted floor

21. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. Equipment for Heat Treatment 6 polystyrene sheets 2 heaters 2 box fans 1 oscillating fan Extension cords and power strip

26. Insulation for Floors: Tile/Terrazo/Concrete Interlocking foam play pads Carpet remnants

27. Temperature Monitoring Thermometers Data Loggers

28. Equipment • 2 Space heaters • $99.90

29. Equipment • 6 Polystyrene sheets (4 by 8 ft) • $137.76

30. Equipment • 2 Box fans • $27.34

31. Equipment • 1 Oscillating fan • $29.95

32. Equipment • 2 Thermometers • $17.94

33. 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

34. Set-up of heat chamber for bed bug control Foam insulation Heater Fan Bed Fan Heater Foam insulation

35. Power ConsiderationsOne circuit for each fan and heater • Heater • Draws ~12 amps • Fan • Draws ~3 amps • Total • ~15 amps 20 amp circuit breakers

36. Residual Insecticide Application to Room Perimeter

37. 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

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