Can Bed Bugs Be Controlled With 'Green' Products?

In light of recent research indicating bed bugs can travel much further through apartment buildings than we previously thought (read about study here), selecting an effective treatment is essential to containing and ending infestations. 

Difficult infestations tend to occur when bed bugs travel through outlets and utility lines into the hard to treat wall voids, ceilings and floors. This often occurs when bed bug populations are permitted to grow due to improper or no treatment. This appeared to be what was happening at a housing authority I recently reviewed a bed bug protocol for. On the surface they had all the components of a good integrated pest management (IPM) plan. Staff used a steamer and vacuum when necessary. The housing authority provided resident education and assistance with treatment preparation. They did a great job tracking and responding to infestations with treatments, yet they had a persistent and growing infestation. So what was the problem? How could the infestation be getting worse? Then I noticed that a new natural, essential oil-based 'green' product was being used in all treatments. While I appreciate they were trying to use a non-synthetic pesticide to reduce the resident’s exposure to chemicals, I could find no research indicating this product had been tested for efficacy. A quick email to a few University researchers confirmed my suspicion. We could not say whether or not this product worked because it had not been tested.

Bed bugs are particularly hard to control because of their food source. Us. Therefore, poison baits (boric acid) cannot be used. This creates a challenge. Pesticides must be able to kill on contact or enough must be picked up on the bed bug’s feet as they walk through it.

Several essential oil-based or 'green' products were recently tested at Rutgers and most were shown to come up short. Most of the materials tested killed a very low percentage of the bed bugs, only two of nine materials tested controlled over 90%. The bed bugs killed in this research project had forced exposure to the products in laboratory conditions. There was nothing that would block bedbug contact, such as clutter, that would be encountered in the real world. In addition, the researchers found there was no repellancy from any of the materials tested, (nor from sonic devices). It appears nothing will deter a bed bug when CO₂ is present, which is what bed bugs use to locate humans.

Because essential oil-based materials rely on direct contact to achieve control, often a mechanic means of control, such as a vacuum or steamer (or even a swatter!) would be just as effective. If you are searching for an effective, non-chemical pesticide, stick with a researched product such as a silica-based desiccant dust (ie. CimeXa). Desiccants can be used in hard to reach spots (like wall voids) and remain effective as long as they are dry and the bugs can walk through the dust.

The bottom line is there is no silver bullet. The best way to realize good control is through an integrated program. Effective pesticide controls, including 'green' materials, are only one tool in the IPM toolbox. Any sprays should be used in conjunction with monitoring, sealing crawlways, mechanical controls, sanitation and cultural controls, such as removing clutter. Sprays (chemical or essential oil-based) may assist with control, but only when part of a larger IPM program. And only when they are proven to be effective through valid testing. Do you have a question about the product your pest control company is using? Ask us StopPests@cornell.edu.

*Editor's note 2/25/19: Since this blog was published a new, non-chemical product has entered the bed bug control market. Aprehend is a fungal pathogen that attacks and kills bed bugs, by introducing this pathogen as a spray, it spreads through the bed bug population and in theory can eliminate an infestation this way. We're still waiting for objective research into the efficacy of this product. Stay tuned for updates on this "green" product. Another "green" technique I overlooked when writing this piece is heat. Whole-unit heat, heat chambers, clothes dryers, and steam are all non-chemical methods of killing bed bugs. If you have a resident or client who requires non-chemical treatments, heat is the most dependable non-chemical option.

Comments

[virginia]

bed bugs are the worst pests to me and very hard to control, the article is helpful

[JOPESTKIL KENYA]

Bed bugs are ever unwanted in households. Bed bugs will infest readily and if not controlled in enough time, will continue to wreck havoc reaching high level infestation which may be complex to eliminate completely….
Bedbugs! These insects invade homes and wreak havoc wherever they will intentionally attack. Effective bed bug control may seem impossible when it comes to a high level stubborn infestation, but there must be light at the end of the tunnel to eliminate these small, pesky pests.
Bed bugs are tricky bugs. When they get into a home or business, they can get into hard to reach locations, not just your beds. These insects can dwell in outlets, wall voids, electronics, behind baseboards and anywhere close to resting and sleeping human sites. They can also be deep inside upholstered furniture or under rugs unsparingly. The trick to beating these hitch hiking, tricky bugs is understanding their habits and habitats.

[Susannah]

I agree JOPESTKIL KENYA, the trick is "understanding their habits and habitats".we have many tools to kill them, the trick is finding where they're hiding. Thanks for sharing your comment.
~Susannah at StopPests

[Srikant]

Thank you so much it was a really good blog

[Finn Fisher]

Nice Blog!! The content you have shared is very elaborative and informative. Thanks a lot for sharing such a great piece of knowledge with us.

[Jopestkil Kenya pest]

Nice post. With bedbugs I would advice one to contact professional bedbugs control expert to handle this kind f pest infestation. Very much complex to eliminate completely from a residential house.