Why these common strategies you often apply DO NOT work in Eradication of Bedbugs

By Abet Tonny

Okay let's explore these facts together.

Ø  Abandoning rooms or even a whole facility is not a guarantee that bed bugs will be eradicated. Adult bed bugs can live without a blood meal for over a year and will wander to find a new host when one is unavailable.

Ø  The use of “bug bombs” or total release foggers is not advised. These devices release insecticide in small droplets that land on exposed surfaces and do not penetrate the cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide. This results in increased pesticide exposure to the resident and poor control of these pests. This has been linked to pesticide resistance and suspected repellency to bed bugs, causing them to spread.

Ø  Simply discarding beds and bedding is NOT a sound approach to bed bug management. Bed bugs will spread quickly to walls, molding, ceilings, light fixtures, electronics, TV remote controls, alarm clocks, and spaces within and along floor boards, and the edges of carpets. If items are discarded they should be wrapped in plastic before transport and LABELED as “infested with bed bugs” or made unsalvageable. Often people discard furniture and belongings that are infested with bed bugs. When doing so, it is a good practice to destroy or deface the items to prevent others from unknowingly collecting infested items. Bed bugs are likely being transferred from place to place through infested furniture and discarded objects. Slash mattresses and plush furniture, break box spring frames, and label items with the word “bed bugs” to prevent the spread of bed bugs in your community. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO SEE THIS Why you need to be concerned about those bedbugs (Abet Tonny, Makerere Biomedical Lab Scientist), OR How to Move and Leave Bed Bugs Behind