One in five Americans has had an infestation of bed bugs themselves or knows someone else who has suffered the problem - and the 21st century's bed bug resurgence has created more awareness of the insects and a greater desire to take steps against them.1-3
So is it possible to eliminate an infestation of bed bugs - and can it be done without expert help? This article has the answers.
Fast facts on eliminating bed bugs
Here are some key points about getting rid of bed bugs. More detail and supporting information is in the body of this article.
Bed bug infestations have made a resurgence in the US.
Infestations with bed bugs are difficult to control because they evade pesticides and are superb at hiding.
Hosts can be isolated from biting bed bugs by encasing mattresses and box springs in special impermeable fabrics and installing traps at the bases of bed legs.
Decluttering and disposal followed by careful vacuum cleaning help to reduce the numbers of bed bugs and eggs.
Prevention is not guaranteed and the key to control is early detection of the insects and practical measures to reduce the risk of a new introduction of the insects.
Insecticides are not all effective, including because of resistance, and need careful application - they are best used by professionals after other measures. Many commercial products sold against bed bugs are ineffective.
Heat and cold are effective ways to kill bed bugs - bed linen can be washed and dried at high temperatures, for example.
Home measures to eliminate bed bugs
Most people affected by bed bugs have been bitten overnight because the mattress is infested - the insects typically find sanctuary along the mattress piping.2
Worried about bed bugs? You can physically isolate your bed from the insects.
Evidence of various life stages can be found here, along with dark spotting from feces.2 Bed bugs go from eggs through juvenile to adult stages, from 1 mm to 5 mm through five nymphal stages, needing a blood meal before each stage.1
Control of the pests is possible but, for three reasons, it is one of the most challenging of infestations:2
There is widespread resistance to existing insecticides
Effective insecticides are lacking
Bed bugs are hard to detect as they are well adapted to hiding in tiny places.
Controlling an infestation is, however, possible. Start with the bed itself. Prepare for the steps to encase the mattress and create a bug-free island by first stripping off bed linen directly into a plastic bag (to reduce the chance of spreading the bugs).4
Linen should be discarded or washed in hot water for at least 30 minutes and then dried at high temperature for 30 minutes.4,5
Any furniture left for disposal should be marked as infested with bed bugs or put beyond use by others.5
Vacuum cleaning is an effective final way of removing the remaining bed bugs and even eggs, although deeply harbored bed bugs may evade this strategy.2
Use a machine that enables disposal outside and into a sealable plastic bag.2
Isolating the bed and monitoring bed bugs in traps
Moat-style traps may be used to isolate the bed and intercept bed bugs between their hiding places and their journey to bite the host. Bed bugs are unable to fly and can only crawl, so they may be trapped on their way up bed legs.6
Such "interceptor" devices are available commercially but can also be made effectively at home. The idea is that an outer tray is easy for the bugs to climb up, but that the other side and inner tray is slippery, preventing escape.
Experts from the University of Florida have produced this video at YouTube. It explains how to create home-made moat traps.
Making an island of the bed is assisted by pulling it away from the wall and ensuring no bed linen can touch the floor.6
The second key element to isolating the bed from bugs is to encase the box spring and mattress in a fabric that traps the bugs inside and prevents introduction from outside.
The bed bug control industry calls this "encasement" and zippered sheets designed to achieve it are available to consumers. The cost is considerably lower than to replace a mattress. Encasement should be left on for at least one year.5
Encasement removes hiding areas and makes spotting bugs easier, so they also prevent infestation of new mattresses.
Using pesticides to control bed bugs
If professionals are called in to control a bed bug infestation (see the next section), and it is not a small, isolated problem, they may use insecticides after taking nonchemical measures. Some pesticides must be applied by licensed professionals.2,5
Insecticides against bed bugs include some 300 registered products in the US. These are the main chemical classes:2,5
Bed bugs are perfectly adapted for hiding in slim cracks and crevices.
Pyrethins and pyrethroids - the most commonly used pesticides. Pyrethins are derived from chrysanthemum flowers while pyrethroids are the synthetic equivalent. Some bed bug populations have become resistant to these chemicals, especially older-generation ones
Silicates such as diatomaceous earth dust (DED) are desiccants, to which bed bugs cannot become resistant. They destroy bed bugs' waxy, protective outer coating, killing them through dehydration
Insect growth regulators (IGRs) - examples include (S)-methoprene, hydropene. These pesticides may rely on the insects biting for blood before they take effect, making them an unattractive option
Carbamates - considered more effective than pyrethins and pyrethroids but also producing some resistance; examples include bendiocarb and propoxur
Organophosphates (no longer in use in the US)
Neonicotinoids - including imidacloprid, which has been found to produce no resistance and is effective, but without a residual effect
Pyrroles - the only pyrrole bed bug pesticide registered in the US is chlorfenapyr. There is no resistance problem but it is very slow-acting with limited efficacy.
Pyrethins and pyrethroids are largely thought to be ineffective against modern bed bug strains, and there is no particular value in the bedding fabrics marketed as being impregnated with these chemicals.2
Desiccants such as DEDs are effective options against bed bugs, with these advantages:2
Very long shelf life
Very low toxicity to mammals
Long residual life
Low possibility of resistance
Useful as a prophylactic insecticide.
The mode of insecticide application is an important consideration - the products need to make direct contact with the bed bugs.2
These methods are NOT considered to be effective: "bug bombs," space sprays, total release foggers, and incendiary smoke generators.2,5,6
These products fail to get the insecticide into the cracks and crevices that harbor bed bugs. They also typically contain pyrethroids, which have a flushing effect and so could spread the infestation.2,5,6
Heat or cold to kill bed bugs
As discussed, laundering is an effective way of killing bed bugs on fabrics.2
Washing and drying at high temperatures kills bed bugs.
Exposing bed bugs for an hour to a temperature of 45°C (113°F) kills all stages, and at temperatures over 60°C (140°F), all bed bugs are killed rapidly.2
Steam may be used, as may contained or whole-room heat treatments, although there is the risk of spreading an infestation with the latter because bed bugs will seek the cooler areas in the room beyond the reach of the heat.2
For killing by cold, temperatures below -17°C (1.4°F) are needed for at least 2 hours - so smaller items may be put in a freezer that is cold enough.
Gas systems designed for instant freezing are ineffective, however - they may spread an infestation since they simply blow the bugs away with their high air pressure.2
Leaving a room empty at any temperature is an option - but this needs to be a strategy taken for more than a year to be effective at allowing all the bed bugs to die.2
Professional help
To find a professional pest controller in the US to help eliminate bed bugs, the Pest World website offers a search function that ensures the expert is licensed with the National Pest Management Association.
Guidelines are available for use by the industry, and the pest control process is outlined in these steps:2,8
Confirming the infestation by identifying the pest either live or through evidence such as eggs and cast skins
Specially trained dogs can be used to sniff out bed bug scent
Inspection to determine the areas needing treatment, including adjacent areas in hotels, for example
Nonchemical control plus application of insecticide - some chemicals may be applied only by professionals
Review of the treatment program's success
Preventive measures.
Preventing bed bug infestation
The key to reducing the risk from bed bug infestation is early detection - by checking bed sheets for tell-tale blood spots, for example, or regularly looking for signs in areas where pets sleep.7
The lives of bed bugs
Learn more about the parasitic insects - how they feed, reproduce - and about the bites they give us.
Early detection is more realistic than complete prevention, which is not possible. However, there are four opportunities to intercept the phases of a bed bug infestation:2
Introduction of the pest
Establishment of an infestation
Population growth
Wider spread of the problem.
Preventing an infestation can be achieved in high-volume/high-turnover residences such as student accommodation by banning the introduction of second-hand furniture or external linen. 2
The use of so-called interceptor devices to isolate beds from the bugs are also useful in early detection so that population growth and spread can be prevented. Encasing mattresses offers further preventive value.2
Keeping a tidy home helps to cut down on the hiding places that a cluttered home can provide to bed bugs.
Reducing cracks and crevices and using metals and plastics instead of woods is also helpful in reducing harborage.
A high-risk time for the introduction of the pest is returning from a vacation or from staying at friends or family who have an infestation - the bugs can hitch a ride back with luggage. The following measures reduce the risk of importing bed bugs:2,7
Prevent bugs from getting into luggage - by also using a large plastic bag
Before settling into a hotel room, check for signs of infestation
On return from a vacation, vacuum suitcases
Avoid second-hand furniture, mattresses and box springs, or look for signs of a bed bug infestation before taking them home.
References:
1.
Parasites - bed bugs. cdc.gov. Atlanta, Georgia, US: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Information published online, accessed 18 August 2015.
2.
Bed bugs: clinical relevance and control options. Stephen Doggett et al., Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 2012, volume 25, issue 1, pages 164-192, doi: 10.1128/CMR.05015-11.
3.
Bed bugs in America: new survey reveals impact on everyday life. Fairfax, Virginia, US: National Pest Management Association. Information published online 11 January 2011, accessed 18 August 2015.
4.
Bed bugs: do-it-yourself control options. citybugs.tamu.edu. Michael Merchant. Dallas, Texas, US: Texas A&M University, AgriLife Extension Service. Information published online, accessed 18 August 2015.
5.
Bed bugs: get them out and keep them out. epa.gov. Washington, DC, US: Environmental Protection Agency. Information published online, accessed 18 August 2015.
6.
Bed bug control methods. Corvallis, Oregon, US: National Pesticide Information Center. Information published online, accessed 18 August 2015.
7.
Everyday bed bug prevention tips. Fairfax, Virginia, US: National Pest Management Association. Information published online, accessed 18 August 2015.
8.
Best management practices for bed bugs. Fairfax, Virginia, US: National Pest Management Association. Information published online, accessed 18 August 2015.
Further useful references:
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Bedbugs. nhs.uk. London, UK: National Health Service, NHS Choices. Information published online, accessed 18 August 2015.
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Preventing and getting rid of bed bugs safely: a guide for property owners, managers and tenants. nyc.gov. US: The City of New York, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Information published online, accessed 18 August 2015.
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Bed bugs. ca.uky.edu. Michael Potter. Lexington, Kentucky, US: University of Kentucky. Information published online, accessed 18 August 2015.
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Natural pesticides for bed bug control: do they work? Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Pest Control Technology, March 2013