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the Resurgence of Bed Bugs , their Basic Biology and Control Suggestions Harold J. Harlan 621 Maple Hill Lane Crownsville, MD 21032. Adult Male - C. lectularius (L.). Taxonomic Hierarchy. Kingdom: Animalia
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theResurgence ofBedBugs, their BasicBiology and ControlSuggestions Harold J. Harlan 621 Maple Hill Lane Crownsville, MD 21032
Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta ( = Hexapoda ) Order: Hemiptera ( Sub-Order: Heteroptera ) Family: Cimicidae Genus: Cimex Species: lectularius Scientific Name: CimexlectulariusL. Common Name: the Common Bed Bug
Evidence of Resurgence Snetsinger: “. Bed bugs may actually cause slums . . . (Busvine 1951); today (1997) specimens are unavailable for classes & few young entomologists have seen an infestation . .” [ Mallis 8th ed.; p.399 ] Kreuger’s: “Don’t get Bitten by the resurgence of Bed Bugs,” PestContr. 68 (3): 58-64 ( Mar. 2000 ). NPMA: 29 infestations confirmed; 18 states & DC [ Library Update, Sept. 2001 ] NPMA: 29 infestations confirmed; 29 states, DC , 3 Provinces CAN, & 2 states MEX ( Dec. 2003 ) Orkin has treated bed bugs in 34 states (Jan. 2004 )
Description Small – 3/16 inch long, oval, flat, reddish brown insects True bugs - w/ 3-seg. beak, 4-seg. antennae Vestigial wings & a thin coat of fine golden hairs Give off a distinctive “musty, sweetish” odor Undigested blood in feces causes “rusty” spots Males – pointed abdomen Females – rounded abdomen
Identify the Bugs - 4th Antennal Segment < 3rd Segment - “Fringe Hairs” on Pronotum < Width of Compound Eye - Pronotum Front Margin Deeply Indented (vs. Only Slightly) = C. lectularius L.
Biology Feed only on Blood – Mammals or Birds Attach small (1 mm) whitish eggs to surfaces in harborages where they hide in loose clusters 5 Nymphal instars ( Need >1 blood meal each instar ) Life Cycle takes 4-5 weeks (egg-to-egg) in ‘good’ conditions [ 75-80% RH; 83-90 degrees F ] Female may lay 200-500 eggs in her lifetime Adults can survive >1 yr. w/o feeding [ Nymphs 3-4 mo.] Mating – “Traumatic” Insemination
Medical Importance - Found naturally infected w/ >20 human pathogens - Never proven to transmit any human disease - Several species feed on humans (including: Common & Tropical Bed Bugs, Bat Bugs, & Poultry Bugs • Salivary proteins cause “sensitivity” to repeated bites by large numbers of bed bugs --5stages: no reaction; delayed reaction; both immediate & delayed; immediate reaction only; & finally, no reaction -- True hypersensitivity can develop (but it is reversible) - Serious social stigma to “having” an infestation
Habits ( Behavior ) - Nocturnal, harbor in clusters, but NOT ‘social’ - Hide in daytime in cracks, crevices, behind baseboards, bed frames, mattress seams, etc. - Take a blood meal to repletion in 3-10 min. - “Prefer” humans but feed on other hosts, too - Travel 5-20 ft. (each way) nightly to feed - Feed every few days if hosts available - Often void part of previous meal while feeding - Can remain fully active at 45oF [ if acclimated for 24 hrs at < 60o F ]
Control Strategies - Thorough survey & accurate ID - Educate customers ( may take > 1 visit ) - Sanitation will NOT eliminate them - Initial vacuuming (mattresses, beds, harborages ) - Treat harborages w/ properly labeled residual -- try to not use highly repellent materials - Dust electrical boxes, voids (maybe seal them shut ) - Seal harborages shut (pref. silicone-based sealant ) - Consider physical barriers if appropriate - Sticky monitors ( may detect continued presence)
“New” Techniques & Products 1. Gentrol™ labeled for Bed Bugs (late-2003) 2. Heat Treatments ( Whole-House or Room) 3. Steaming – Matresses, or Beds, etc. 4. Phantom™ (Chlorfenapyr) labeled to control ants / roaches; indoor ‘crack-and-crevice’ 5. PCO Pellets™ (Acephate) still labeled for ‘crack-and-crevice’ treatments 6. Encase matress & Pillows in plastic covers 7. Permethrin repellent, over-the-counter (s-h)
Fumigation 1. “Whole structure” fumigation will eliminate bugs present within treated areas, but . . . . . a. This is seldomeconomicallypractical. b. There is noresidual protection. 2. The same things are true for . . . a. “Batch” or “Single-Room” Fumigations, b.Heat treatments (Whole Bldg. or One - Room), and c.Cold treatments (Whole Bldg. or One - Room).
Why Bed Bugs Are Resurging 1. Greater human mobility 2. Less use of any residuals – last 5-6 yrs 3. Significant switch to baits for roaches & ants 4. Many PMPs are not familiar w/ bed bugs - inadequate survey, wrong ID, incomplete treatment 5. Pyrethroids used in most accounts are repellent - bugs do not get a lethal dose (esp. in deep cracks) - harborages easy to miss in first survey - bugs may detect & avoid residual treatments - bug pop. often “split” or move from such treatments 6. People may call any unknown bite - “bed bugs”