Q&A in Bed Bugs

A.   You can wash the items in hot water in order to kill any bed bugs. The ideal temperature for treatment is about 113-115 degrees Fahrenheit.

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We can blame Natural Selection at the increasing resistance of a number of insects to pesticides. Biological traits and natural adaptation are the reasons why a number of weeds are resistant to some herbicides and some rodents still survive after digesting rodenticide-laden food or traps. The same can be said of people who seem to have better immune systems.

In the case of common, there are studies and proof that they have become resistant to synthetic pyrethroids. Synthetic pyrethroids are man-made version of pyrethrin and are made from petroleum derivatives. Pyrethrin, on the other hand, is an organic compound that attacks and paralyzes insects' nervous systems. Over the years, the insecticide industry has been dependent of synthetic products and in effect helping produce the next generation of bugs which are immune to its effects.

While pyrethrin is a better choice, there have been studies that showed cockroaches recovering from pyrethrin treatments. Recent insecticides that contain pyrethrin are now manufactured with one or two synergists for added efficacy. Other studies have shown that bed bugs have become immune to the deadly effects of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a water soluble insecticide. And since pyrethroids and DDT share some similar modes of action in attacking nervous systems of insects, a number of bugs are also considered immune to pyrethroids.

However, the concern of most people is the effect of synthetic pyrethroids, Are they still effective against insect infestation? Can synthetic pyrethroids create "super bugs"? The answer is yes and no. The bugs may look like they are adapting to the affects - some species are hardly taken down by the treatments, while others take longer or stronger doses to die. What we are seeing is the survival of the fittest, their genetic composition may have the capability to block certain effects of the insecticide. When these surviving bugs reproduce, their offspring are likewise resistant to the insecticide.

It travel by breeding and finding temporary shelter in clothing. From there they could set up shop in almost anywhere in the country. Their survival has always depended on moving and breeding in places that could give them the most ideal living conditions and food sources. Their ancestors have survived through this strategy and must have passed on genes that have better resistance on the effects of pyrethroids.

Dr. Mike Potter of the University of Kentucky said that some populations of the common bed bug have shown 1000x factor of resistance to synthetic pyrethroids. This means that the effect of the said compound is likely to have no effect of the target insects.

Currently the best plan is to use insecticides interchangeably, that is using different kinds of treatments over a period of time. Through this strategy, insects will not be able build up resistance against the products. From pyrethroid, use a neonicotinoid or a Pyyrhole then an Oxadiazine. Use desiccant dusts like silica gel (Drione, Tri-Die) and diatomaceous earth (MotherEarth D) and other products that do not have an effect on the nervous system. They kill insects by seeping into the bugs' exoskeleton and affecting bodily functions through dehydration. Dessicant dusts also have long-term effects, and are still effective even after several years.

Moreover, their effects to humans and pets are almost minimal. Dessicants are not exactly new, but they are your best bet when it comes to confusing bugs' immune systems and are much safer that other products.

A.   There are a variety of reasons why you may have a re-infestation of bed bugs. It could be that your treatment plan was not thorough enough. Moreover, if you live in a complex with neighboring homes that are connected (apartment, townhouse, etc.), your neighbor's infestation may be causing a re-infestation in your own home. Also, if you have traveled recently and came back, you may have brought them home from another location. Keep in mind that just one treatment will not eradicate a bed bug infestation. You must treat regularly and continuously until the infestation is completely rid of.

A.   Since bed bugs are so small and can fit in virtually any crack or crevice, it is extremely important that you are able to treat all areas. Since some products cannot be used in specific areas, we recommend purchasing kits and supplement material as they are needed because the kits will provide you with insecticides for all target areas. These kits usually include an aerosol for furniture, a liquid concentrate for baseboards and large general surface areas, and dust for the wall void. If you have any questions on the products or bed bug control, feel free to call us at 1-800-788-4142 or email us at info@pestmall.com.

A.   It is possible for bed bugs to live in places such as the stove or refrigerator. Bed bugs can practically live anywhere and can fit through the smallest cracks. For this reason, they require extensive treatment with careful inspection.

A.   Unfortunately, there are not many residual products that you can use inside the car. The number of products you can use are very limited. Consider using such products like Bedlam which is sprayed every 1-2 weeks or Steri-fab, which has no residual at all.

A.   Although freezing temperatures will kill bed bugs, if you leave any material out in the freezing temperatures, it will take a few weeks for that sort of treatment to work.

A.   Heat treatments may or may not work in a car because temperatures have to reach 160 degrees F. We recommend using a product like Bedlam bed bug spray or Steri-Fab. Sterifab will only continue to kill as long as it is wet and Bedlam will continue to kill for up to a week. Leave treated areas to completely dry before coming in contact with that treated area again.

A.   Unfortunately, we specialize in pest control supplies and we are not well versed in home remedies. We do apologize for the inconvenience.

A.   Bed bug treatment may take more than 10 days and requires thorough and consistent treatment of a variety of pesticides. It also requires non-chemical treatment of thorough vacuuming and laundering. Vacuuming and laundering should be done frequently and regularly. There is no 100% fool-proof way of getting rid of them. You just need to be consistent and following the labels of the insecticides.