scholarly journals Pesticides Misused for Bed Bug Control: Comparing Professional and Nonprofessional Applications Reported to the National Pesticide Information Center, 2013–2017

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e3
Author(s):  
April Strid ◽  
Alicia Leytem ◽  
Josean Perez ◽  
Kaci Buhl ◽  
Amy Cross
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Product Label ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
Bed Bug ◽  
Professional Involvement ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Pesticide Exposures ◽  
Information Center

Objectives. To compare outcomes when pesticides are used to control bed bugs by professionals and nonprofessionals. Methods. All US National Pesticide Information Center inquiries from 2013 to 2017 were assessed to identify scenarios involving bed bugs and pesticide applications. Cases were evaluated with respect to types of applicators, misapplications, and human pesticide exposures. Results. Misapplications were more than twice as likely to be reported in cases involving nonprofessional applications (14%) as in cases involving professional applications (5%). Human exposures to pesticides were reported more often when pesticides were misapplied (70%) than when there were no apparent misapplications (31%). Conclusions. Both professionals and nonprofessionals may misuse pesticides to control bed bugs, which may increase the risks of exposure and adverse outcomes. Policy interventions may reduce pesticide incidents related to bed bug control by promoting professional involvement and adherence to product label instructions. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 29, 2021: e1–e3. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306307 )

scholarly journals A Survey of Bedbug (Cimex lectularius) Infestation in Some Homes and Hostels in Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Onah Isegbe Emmanuel ◽  
Alu Cyprian ◽  
Omudu Edward Agbo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Cimex Lectularius ◽  
High Population Density ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
Bed Bug ◽  
Proactive Approach ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Significant Difference

A Survey of bed bug infestation in some homes and hostels, in Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria, was conducted from January to April, 2011. Bed frames, bunks, mattresses, pillows, chairs, and clothes were inspected. A total of 2,642 bed bugs were collected. 73.3% were from hostels while 26.7% were from homes. There was a significant difference between in the number of homes infested and those not infested (χ2=61.44,df=4,P<0.05). Nymphs were the most populated, with 292 (41.4%), followed by males 223 (31.6%), and females 190 (27.0%). There was no significant difference in the number of infested hostels and those not infested (χ2=0.8,df=4,P<0.05). The nymphs being the most populated with 901 (64.1%), followed by males 538 (36.1%), and then females 496 (35.3%). The greater number of infestation recorded in the hostels was as a result of poor hygiene, lack of adequate knowledge of the best control practices and the high population density. In homes, lack of the awareness of the resurgence of the emerging pest and lack of proper health education is responsible for the high infestation. Proactive approach should be taken towards public health education against bed bug infestation. Government and NGOs should take critical steps in preventing spread and stigma.

Introducing Law Students to Public Health Law through a Bed Bug Scenario

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (S2) ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Bard
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Law Students ◽  
Cimex Lectularius ◽  
Homeless Shelters ◽  
Health Law ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
Public Health Law ◽  
Bed Bug

Bedbugs are tiny, wingless insects which feed on mammal blood and leave behind painful, itchy sores. Although they can live in other settings, they are most commonly found in warm, dark places inhabited by humans, like beds. After being absent in the United States for over 60 years, thanks to powerful pesticides, bed bugs (Cimex lectularius), have returned in force and are present in every state and nearly every city. For reasons not entirely understood, bed bugs have developed resistance to traditional pesticides such as Permethrin and are therefore difficult to control. Although commonly believed to be associated with dirty housekeeping and associated with substandard housing, bed bugs are equally likely to be present in five-star hotels as they are in homeless shelters.

scholarly journals Widespread Mutations in Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Gene of Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) Populations in Paris

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 407
Author(s):  
Mohammad Akhoundi ◽  
Dahlia Chebbah ◽  
Denis Sereno ◽  
Anthony Marteau ◽  
Julie Jan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Point ◽  
Cimex Lectularius ◽  
Single Point Mutation ◽  
Homozygous Mutation ◽  
Knockdown Resistance ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
Bed Bug ◽  
Channel Gene ◽  
Blood Sucking ◽  
The Status

Bed bugs, Cimex lectularius and C. hemipterus, are common blood-sucking ectoparasites of humans with a large geographical distribution, worldwide. In France, little is known about the status of bed bugs’ infestation and their resistance to insecticides, particularly, pyrethroids. Here, we aimed to find mutations in the kdr gene, known to be involved in resistance to insecticides. We gathered bed bugs from various infested locations, including 17 private houses, 12 HLM building complex, 29 apartments, 2 EHPAD, and 2 immigrants’ residences. A total of 1211 bed bugs were collected and morphologically identified as C. lectularius. Two fragments of the kdr gene, encompassing codons V419L and L925I, were successfully amplified for 156 specimens. We recorded sense mutation in the first amplified fragment (kdr1) in 89 out of 156 (57%) samples, in which in 61 out of 89 (68.5%) sequences, a change of valine (V) into leucine (L) V419L was observed. Within the second fragment (kdr2), a homozygous mutation was recorded in 73 out of 156 (46.7%) specimens at the codon 925. At this position, 43 out of 73 (58.9%) specimens had a sense mutation leading to the replacement of leucine (L) by isoleucine (I). Among 162 mutant sequences analyzed (89 for the kdr1 fragment and 73 for the kdr2 one), we detected single point mutation in 26.6%, while 73.4% presented the mutation in both kdr1 and kdr2 fragments. All modifications recorded in bed bug populations of Paris are described to be involved in the knockdown resistance (kdr) against pyrethroids.

The Behavioral Response to Heat in the Common Bed Bug,Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Berry
Keyword(s):  
Petri Dish ◽  
Cimex Lectularius ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
Bed Bug ◽  
Host Interaction ◽  
Video Images ◽  
Spherical Ball ◽  
The Common ◽  
Vertebrate Hosts

AbstractThe bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., is a common ectoparasite found to live among its vertebrate hosts. Antennal segments in bugs are critical for sensing multiple cues in the environment for survival. To determine whether the thermo receptors of bed bugs are located on their antennae; innovative bioassays were created to observe the choice between heated and unheated stimuli and to characterize the response of bugs to a heat source. Additionally, the effect of complete antenectomized segments on heat detection were evaluated. Heat, carbon dioxide, and moisture are cues that are found to activate bed bug behavior; a temperature at 38°C was used to assess the direction/degree at which the insect reacts to the change in distance from said stimulus. Using a lightweight spherical ball suspended by air through a vacuum tube, bed bugs and other insects are able to move in 360° while on a stationary point. Noldus EthoVision XT was used to capture video images and to track the bed bugs during 5-min bioassays. A bioassay was created using four Petri dish arenas to observe bed bug attraction to heat based on antennae segments at 40°C. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of heat on complete antenectomized segments of the antennae. The results in this experiment suggest that bed bugs detect and are attracted to heat modulated by nutritional status. Learning the involvement of antennae segments in heat detection will help identify the location and role of thermoreceptors for bed bug host interaction.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Non-Chemical Compared to a Non-Chemical Plus Silica Gel Approach to Bed Bug Management

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 443
Author(s):  
Salehe Abbar ◽  
Changlu Wang ◽  
Richard Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Silica Gel ◽  
Chemical Treatment ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
Chemical Methods ◽  
Bed Bug ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Dust Treatment ◽  
Residual Control ◽  
Insecticide Sprays ◽  
Bug Management

Bed bug resistance to commonly used pesticide sprays has led to exploring new pesticides and other strategies for bed bug management. Non-chemical methods are effective in bed bug management; however, they do not provide residual protection. Compared to insecticide sprays, dust formulations are considered to provide longer residual control. We evaluated two bed bug management programs in apartment buildings. A building-wide inspection was initially conducted to identify bed bug infested apartments. Selected apartments were divided into two treatment groups: non-chemical plus silica gel dust treatment (10 apartments) and non-chemical treatment (11 apartments). After initial treatment, apartments were re-visited monthly for up to 6 months. During each visit, the total bed bug count per apartment was obtained by examining interceptor traps placed in the apartments and conducting a visual inspection. Mean bed bug count was reduced by 99% and 89% in non-chemical plus silica gel dust and non-chemical treatment, respectively. Non-chemical plus silica gel dust treatment caused significantly higher bed bug count reduction than the non-chemical treatment at 6 months. Bed bugs were eradicated from 40% and 36% of apartments treated with non-chemical plus silica gel dust treatment and non-chemical treatment, respectively.

scholarly journals Increasing presence of xylazine in heroin and/or fentanyl deaths, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2010–2019

2021 ◽  
pp. injuryprev-2020-043968
Author(s):  
Jewell Johnson ◽  
Lia Pizzicato ◽  
Caroline Johnson ◽  
Kendra Viner
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Active Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Drug Supply ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
The Usa

Reports from active drug users state that xylazine, the veterinary tranquilliser, has been increasing in the illicit drug supply in Philadelphia. To describe trends and characteristics of unintentional deaths from heroin and/or fentanyl overdose with xylazine detections occurring in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health analysed data on deaths from unintentional heroin and/or fentanyl overdose from the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office over a 10-year period (2010–2019). Xylazine went from being detected in less than 2% cases of fatal heroin and/or fentanyl overdose between 2010 and 2015 to 262 (31%) of the 858 fatal heroin and/or fentanyl overdose cases in 2019. Currently, information is limited on the presence of xylazine in continental United States. Xylazine’s association with adverse outcomes in other locations indicates that potential health consequences should also be monitored in the USA. Whenever possible, jurisdictions should consistently test for xylazine.

scholarly journals Bed bugs: The move to humans as hosts

FACETS ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Talbot ◽  
Nusha Keyghobadi ◽  
Brock Fenton
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Insectivorous Birds ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
Bed Bug ◽  
Ecological Success ◽  
The Common

Cimicid insects, bed bugs and their allies, include about 100 species of blood-feeding ectoparasites. Among them, a few have become widespread and abundant pests of humans. Cimicids vary in their degree of specialization to hosts. Whereas most species specialize on insectivorous birds or bats, the common bed bug can feed on a range of distantly related host species, such as bats, humans, and chickens. We suggest that association with humans and generalism in bed bugs led to fundamentally different living conditions that fostered rapid growth and expansion of their populations. We propose that the evolutionary and ecological success of common bed bugs reflected exploitation of large homeothermic hosts (humans) that sheltered in buildings. This was a departure from congeners whose hosts are much smaller and often heterothermic. We argue that interesting insights into the biology of pest species may be obtained using an integrated view of their ecology and evolution.

Knowledge, Risk Factors and Practices about Bed bugs in Rural Eastern Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ladslaus Mnyone ◽  
Osyth Silvester Massawe
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Bed Bug ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Improved Sanitation ◽  
Professional Guidance

Abstract Background: Evidence-based strategies are needed to counter the increasing problem of bed bug infestations. We assessed community knowledge, risk factors and practices on bed bugs because they are essential for enhancing community commitment to control efforts. Methods: We conducted a descriptive social survey using structured questionnaire and direct observations in selected villages of Morogoro Rural District, Eastern Tanzania. Results: Total of 260 respondents participated, 53.08% (138/260) females and 46.92% (122/260) males; and majority had primary education (68%, 177/260). Majority were aware of at least one control measure against bed bugs including chemical insecticides, washing bedclothes and sunlight. Insecticides were considered the most powerful measure (Mkuyuni 81.82%, 27/33; Mfumbwe 44.82%, 26/58; Changa 34.91%, 59/169). Majority were able to identify bed bugs (Mfumbwe 87.93%, 51/58, Changa 63.31%, 107/169; Mkuyuni 51.52%, 17/33). Over 95% of respondents were aware that bed bugs reproduce by laying eggs and could identify them. Considerable proportion was aware of certain effects of bed bugs (Mkuyuni 75.76%, 25/33; Changa 53.87%, 91/169; Mfumbwe 46.55%, 27/58). Over 60% (156/260) of households presented several risk features and main ones were cracks on walls (85.75%, 223/260) and floors (92.50%, 241/260), not sleeping on beds (88.09%, 229/260), dusty floors (92.05%, 239/260) and hiding spaces on beds (71.25%, 185/260). Households controlling bed bugs ranged from 41.38% to 45.45%, with up to 100% of those using insecticides. Majority indicated controlling other household pests (Changa 69.23%, 117/169; Mfumbwe 63.79%, 37/58; Mkuyuni 63.64%, 21/33) mainly through insecticides and improved sanitation. The frequency of applying insecticides varied significantly; up to 67.52% of respondents reported periods >1 and ≤4 years. Conclusions: Majority of households in the study communities are in high risk of bed bug infestation. Over 60% of them presented multiple risk features and main ones were cracks on walls/floors, dusty floors, not sleeping on beds, and hiding spaces on beds. Insecticides were the most commonly known/used control measure. Insecticide applications were done without professional guidance and on irregular frequencies thus exposing study communities to high risk of insecticide resistance.

Obesity in obstetric and gynaecological practice

2020 ◽  
pp. 96-106
Author(s):  
Sukhwinder Sahota ◽  
Tahir Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Major Public Health Issue ◽  
Health And Well Being

Obesity is a complex multifactorial disorder, which has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. It affects all aspects of an individual’s life: physical, social, emotional, and psychological. Although it is largely preventable, obesity is now a major public health issue and has a significant impact on the health and well-being of an individual throughout their lifespan. Obesity is associated with multiple adverse outcomes not only during the reproductive phase of a woman’s life but during the post-reproductive era as well. Obesity also increases risks for non-obstetrical and gynaecological illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and non-gynaecological cancers. Obesity thus is a cause of major societal economic burden.

scholarly journals Dynamics of bed bug infestations and control under disclosure policies

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (13) ◽  
pp. 6473-6481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherrie Xie ◽  
Alison L. Hill ◽  
Chris R. Rehmann ◽  
Michael Z. Levy
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Spillover Effects ◽  
The United States ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
Bed Bug ◽  
Highly Nonlinear ◽  
Public Health Practitioners ◽  
And Control

Bed bugs have reemerged in the United States and worldwide over recent decades, presenting a major challenge to both public health practitioners and housing authorities. A number of municipalities have proposed or initiated policies to stem the bed bug epidemic, but little guidance is available to evaluate them. One contentious policy is disclosure, whereby landlords are obligated to notify potential tenants of current or prior bed bug infestations. Aimed to protect tenants from leasing an infested rental unit, disclosure also creates a kind of quarantine, partially and temporarily removing infested units from the market. Here, we develop a mathematical model for the spread of bed bugs in a generalized rental market, calibrate it to parameters of bed bug dispersion and housing turnover, and use it to evaluate the costs and benefits of disclosure policies to landlords. We find disclosure to be an effective control policy to curb infestation prevalence. Over the short term (within 5 years), disclosure policies result in modest increases in cost to landlords, while over the long term, reductions of infestation prevalence lead, on average, to savings. These results are insensitive to different assumptions regarding the prevalence of infestation, rate of introduction of bed bugs from other municipalities, and the strength of the quarantine effect created by disclosure. Beyond its application to bed bugs, our model offers a framework to evaluate policies to curtail the spread of household pests and is appropriate for systems in which spillover effects result in highly nonlinear cost–benefit relationships.

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