Evaluation of a Non-Chemical Compared to a Non-Chemical Plus Silica Gel Approach to Bed 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.

STUDY OF SAMPLES STRENGTH OF MATERIAL FORMED BY THE PROCESSES OF COMPACTION, EXTRUSION AND TUMBLING GRANULATION

In a period of industrial expansion, protection of the environment is often neglected during the mass manufacture of products. One of the problems of our society that is necessary to face at present is the provision, processing and then usage of waste composed of fine particles that are extremely dangerous for mankind. This study looks at the processing of the fine dust resulting from the manufacture of brake pads. The selected technologies for the process of dust treatment were compaction, extrusion and tumbling granulation, and their consequent comparison with the strength of a break and disintegration of agglomerates from fine dust. The experiments were performed on a unique equipment that made it possible to process such dust in the form of larger units and thus reduce their dustiness, with this dust being reintroduced into the technologies for repeat processing or used for energy processing, in a cement kiln, for example.

Use of Separated Dust from the Formatting and Grinding Cement-Bonded Chipboards to Modify their Composition

The article presents results of the research focused on suitability assessment of separated dust from formatting and grinding of cement-bonded chipboards to modify their composition. The attention was paid to dust treatment, i.e. milling and sorting. The dust was applied to chipboards in amounts of 5 and 10%. Formulas with water-cement ratio 0.60 and 0.65 were prepared. The influence of sorted dust was subsequently evaluated using setting of selected material properties. In particular the bending strength and tensile strength perpendicular to plate plane were monitored including the influence of frost on these characteristics.