Evaluation of Two Least Toxic Integrated Pest Management Programs for Managing Bed Bugs (Heteroptera: Cimicidae) With Discussion of a Bed Bug Intercepting Device

Background: Bed bugs as blood-sucking insects have become a public health problem in urban communities throughout the world. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of resident education and self-implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for eliminating bed bug infestation in infected apartments in Ahvaz City, Iran. Methods: This interventional study was conducted in seventy apartments infested with bed bug (Cimex lectularius) in Ahvaz City, southwest Iran, during a 6-month period. The bed bug infestations reported to Health centers were inspected visually and confirmed by medical entomology experts. Then, the heads of the households were received techniques/ tools of the IPM program and trained by medical entomology experts before self-implementation of control methods. Finally, the infected apartments were inspected by the experts at 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention and data were recorded in a checklist. Results: From the seventy infected apartments, 57%, 28% and 15% were considered as low, moderate, and high level infestation respectively. The bed bug infestation was eliminated from 53 apartments (76%) after one month and it reached to 62 apartments (88%) by the end of third month. Finally, after six months of applying IPM program, bed bugs infestation was eliminated from all infected apartments (100%). Residents expressed their 100% satisfaction with applying the bed bug IPM strategy. Conclusion: Training residents to implement the IPM program can reduce pest control costs, the volume of pesticides consumed, and human exposure to chemical pesticides, resulting in increased human and environmental health and safety.

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Efficacy of a Fungal Biopesticide for Bed Bug Management Is Influenced by the Toxicity and Associated Behavioral Avoidance of Harborages on Insecticide-Impregnated Box Spring Covers

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/toaa227 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 113 (6) ◽

pp. 2850-2857

Author(s):

Ikkei Shikano

Keyword(s):

Integrated Pest Management ◽

Pest Management ◽

Beauveria Bassiana ◽

Avoidance Behavior ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Effective Control ◽

Bed Bugs ◽

Bed Bug ◽

Continuous Contact ◽

Behavioral Avoidance

Abstract Bed bugs spend most of their lives hiding in harborages, usually in the seams of mattresses and box springs and in crevices of bed frames. For insecticidal products that target these shelters, the repellency of the products for bed bugs may influence their duration of contact. Bed bugs are known to avoid contacting surfaces treated with certain insecticides. The fungal biopesticide Aprehend contains spores of the entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana. It is sprayed around bed frames, box springs, and furniture where bed bugs are likely to walk, which includes potential shelters. Here, I investigated the influence of a permethrin-impregnated cover, ActiveGuard, on bed bug sheltering behavior and the effectiveness of combining ActiveGuard with Aprehend. Bed bugs avoided harboring in a shelter constructed with ActiveGuard compared to a nontoxic encasement-type cover. This avoidance behavior reduced mortality induced by ActiveGuard shelters compared to forced continuous contact on the ActiveGuard cover. However, while bed bugs also avoided Aprehend-treated ActiveGuard shelters, the combined treatment induced almost complete mortality and more quickly than Aprehend-treated shelters made of the encasement-type cover. This suggests compatibility between the two integrated pest management (IPM) tools even though the bed bug’s avoidance behavior would suggest otherwise. Since Aprehend is highly effective against pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs, its use would provide more effective control where bed bug populations are more resistant to the permethrin-impregnated cover.

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Urban Entomology Highlights From 2019 Help Create Integrated Pest Management Plans

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjaa121 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 57 (5) ◽

pp. 1342-1348

Author(s):

Jennifer R Gordon

Keyword(s):

Integrated Pest Management ◽

Pest Management ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Animal Health ◽

Bed Bugs ◽

Intervention Plan ◽

Urban Entomology ◽

Management Plans ◽

Management Professionals ◽

And Control

Abstract Urban insect pests such as ants, termites, cockroaches, and bed bugs are more than just nuisances; they often negatively impact structures, landscapes, animal health, commercial food production, food safety, and public health (mental, physical, and financial). Due to the tremendous burden these insects can inflict, researchers, manufacturers, and pest management professionals work to create solutions that effectively manage urban and structural pests. One solution that has proven useful in agriculture is the development of an integrated pest management (IPM) plan; i.e., a science-based approach to pest control that utilizes multiple tactics such as preventative tools, chemical control (sprays, fumigation, and baits), biological control, and exclusion. There are many permutations of urban IPM plans, but in general they consist of five components: 1) identifying the pest, 2) monitoring the pest, 3) developing an intervention plan (including prevention and control techniques), 4) implementing the program, and 5) recording and evaluating the results. The objectives of the current publication were to 1) highlight urban entomology research published in 2019 and 2) show how the results from these publications help pest management professionals create and implement IPM plans.

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Prevention, identification, and treatment options for the management of bed bug infestations

Environmental Health Review ◽

10.5864/d2012-013 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 55 (04) ◽

pp. 89-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel Fong ◽

Constance Bos ◽

Taz Stuart ◽

Stèphane Perron ◽

Tom Kosatsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Pest Management ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Early Recognition ◽

Case Reports ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Management Approach ◽

Bed Bugs ◽

Bed Bug ◽

Entry Points

In the past decade, bed bug infestations have been increasing worldwide. Historically, studies have failed to provide evidence for the transmission of human diseases through bed bugs, but recent evidence is lacking. Although physical reactions to bed bug bites continue to be documented, evidence regarding the mental health effects arising from bed bug infestations is limited to anecdotes and case reports. This report provides an update and summary of the bed bug management strategies discussed during a workshop at the 2010 Canadian Public Health Association Conference. “Best practices” regarding prevention, identification, and treatment options are presented, using evidence from existing evaluative studies. Awareness of bed bug behaviour and proper building maintenance can prevent transfer of bed bugs from belongings, including second-hand items, and reduce entry points and harbourage sites. In addition to inspection by trained professionals, early recognition of clinical symptoms and environmental signs of an infestation are important to avoid further spread of bed bugs and to allow implementation of safe and effective treatment options. Early findings may indicate a need for special support for vulnerable individuals with mental health issues potentially exacerbated by bed bug infestations. Preparing units for treatment, including the removal of clutter, is essential. However, physical and financial limitations are challenges for managing bed bug infestations, especially for vulnerable populations. Current treatment options such as application of heat or pesticides can be effective when properly implemented, but there are concerns with pesticide resistance. An Integrated Pest Management approach is recommended and should include ongoing monitoring and prevention that are essential for positive treatment outcomes. Regulatory officials, building management, and pest management professionals are encouraged to collaborate using a systematic approach to address bed bug infestations.

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Effectiveness of Building-Wide Integrated Pest Management Programs for German Cockroach and Bed Bug in a High-Rise Apartment Building

Journal of Integrated Pest Management ◽

10.1093/jipm/pmz031 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Changlu Wang ◽

Amanda Eiden ◽

Richard Cooper ◽

Chen Zha ◽

Desen Wang

Keyword(s):

Integrated Pest Management ◽

Pest Management ◽

Pest Control ◽

Low Income ◽

German Cockroach ◽

Infestation Rate ◽

Apartment Building ◽

Bed Bug ◽

High Rise ◽

Control Service

Abstract Bed bug, Cimex lectularius (L.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), and German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), infestations are commonly found in low-income housing communities and result in negative health effects and economic burden. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been shown to be an effective approach for managing these pests, yet practice of IPM in housing communities is very limited. We evaluated the effectiveness of a contractor-led bed bug IPM program and researcher-led cockroach IPM program in a high-rise apartment building for 1 yr. A second apartment building that received conventional monthly pest control service was used as control. The bed bug infestation rate decreased from 9% at 0 mo to 3% at 12 mo (63% reduction), even though the contractor only partially followed the IPM protocol; the German cockroach infestation rate decreased from 49% at 0 mo to 12% at 12 mo (75% reduction). In the control building, no monitors were installed in the infested apartments and the apartments received cursory treatment services from an existing pest control contractor. The bed bug infestation rate increased from 6% at 0 mo to 12% at 12 mo (117% increase); the German cockroach infestation rate decreased from 47% at 0 mo to 29% at 12 mo (39% reduction). IPM is a much more effective approach for building-wide control of cockroaches and bed bugs than conventional pest control service. This study confirms the benefit of building-wide IPM on pest reduction and challenges existed for carrying out IPM programs in low-income communities.

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Magnitude and Spread of Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) throughout Ohio (USA) Revealed by Surveys of Pest Management Industry

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12020133 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 133

Author(s):

Susan C. Jones

Keyword(s):

Pest Management ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Federal State ◽

Single Family ◽

Bed Bugs ◽

Franklin County ◽

Bed Bug ◽

Treatment Data ◽

Local Officials ◽

State And Local

Bed bugs have recently re-emerged as human pests worldwide. In this study, two surveys queried licensed pest management companies in Ohio (Midwest USA) about their experiences managing bed bugs. A primary objective was to assess the magnitude and spread of bed bug infestations statewide based on companies’ treatment records from 2005 and 2011 (first survey) and 2016 (second survey). The survey response rates were 35.6% and 31.6%, respectively. Treatment data from 2005 indicated that Ohio’s bed bug problem likely started in the SW corner of the state in Hamilton County (includes city of Cincinnati), since it totaled five times more treatments (approximately 4500) than second-ranking, centrally located Franklin County (Columbus). In the first half of 2011, more than 15,000 treatments were performed in these two counties. In 2016, treatments reached nearly 38,000 in Franklin County and in NE Ohio in the three combined counties that include Cleveland-Akron-Canton. Bed bug problems expanded statewide during an 11 y period, with an estimated 100+ treatments in 7 counties in 2005, 45 counties in 2011, and nearly all 88 counties in 2016. Apartments/condos and single-family residences comprised the largest share of bed bug work. Residents misused many pesticides and household cleaners trying to eliminate bed bugs. Many also discarded unwrapped infested furniture, which may further spread these bugs. More public education is needed to stop such practices. This study shows that bed bug problems grow and spread quickly; federal, state, and local officials and the public should immediately deal with bed bugs.

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Electron investigations of rhabdovirus-like particles in mexican bean beetles and crickets

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100082753 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 378-379

Author(s):

J. R. Adams ◽

G. J Tompkins ◽

A. M. Heimpel ◽

E. Dougherty

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Integrated Pest Management ◽

Pest Management ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Management Program ◽

Acheta Domesticus ◽

Epilachna Varivestis ◽

House Cricket ◽

Similar Morphology ◽

Bean Beetle

As part of a continual search for potential pathogens of insects for use in biological control or on an integrated pest management program, two bacilliform virus-like particles (VLP) of similar morphology have been found in the Mexican bean beetle Epilachna varivestis Mulsant and the house cricket, Acheta domesticus (L. ).Tissues of diseased larvae and adults of E. varivestis and all developmental stages of A. domesticus were fixed according to procedures previously described. While the bean beetles displayed no external symptoms, the diseased crickets displayed a twitching and shaking of the metathoracic legs and a lowered rate of activity.Examinations of larvae and adult Mexican bean beetles collected in the field in 1976 and 1977 in Maryland and field collected specimens brought into the lab in the fall and reared through several generations revealed that specimens from each collection contained vesicles in the cytoplasm of the midgut filled with hundreds of these VLP's which were enveloped and measured approximately 16-25 nm x 55-110 nm, the shorter VLP's generally having the greater width (Fig. 1).

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