Grappling with Bed Bugs: The Problems of Using and Misusing Chemical Pesticides.

Transcription

1 Bed Bug Information That Empowers Message from the Editor We are all so used to seeing pesticides id on the shelves of our pharmacies, grocery stores, and home improvement stores we rarely take a moment to ask exactly what s in these products. Our instincts say that if the product is available to us right off the shelf, then it must be safe, effective, and easy to use correctly. The reality is often quite different. With the increase of bed bugs, so goes the increase in the use of all types of overthe-counter remedies. In this issue of B.I.T.E. Back! we ll discuss some of the dangers of misusing and overusing pesticides. You ll also find some practical how to information you can start using right away and information on some great events in the Upcoming Events section. Grappling with Bed Bugs: The Problems of Using and Misusing Chemical Pesticides. By their very nature, most pesticides create some risk of harm - Pesticides can cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment because they are designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms. Bed bugs continue to grow in numbers with 1 in 5 Americans finding bed bugs in their home or hotel. Do-it-yourself chemical treatments for bed bugs are common with the hope of quick, cheap control. The truth is that these critters are very difficult to get rid of, especially once an infestation has grown. In fact, bed bugs are resistant to the killing affects of most pesticides available. Resistance to pesticides is caused in part by people using them the wrong way or using the same thing over and over again. Insecticide Resistance: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (online, omafra.gov.on.ca/english/environment/hort/basics3, c. 2012) B.I.T.E. Back! wants you to know what s in the pesticides you can purchase for bed bug control, how they work (or mostly don t), and the problem with using them the wrong way. What types of pesticides are available to YOU for bed bugs and how do they work? Bed bugs are insects so insecticides are the type of pesticides used for control. Insecticides take many forms - liquids, aerosols and dusts - and most contain pyrethroids. Pyrethroids are a class of common manmade insecticides that are often combined with other ingredients to kill bed bugs and other insects. There are a lot of different pyrethroids with names like resmethrin, permethrin, or esfenvalerate. A pyrethroid kills by attacking the nervous system of the insect and they can be hazardous to the human nervous system, especially if not used correctly. There are over 300 insecticide products registered with the U.S. EPA for use against bed bugs, most are available to consumers and contain pyrethroids. The EPA also makes the rules for how to label pesticides so that it s clear how to use them. Pyrethroids aren t the only insecticides in bed bug products. Here are some that are commonly used: 1. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a dust made from Information required on all pesticide labels. (Michigan State University Extension, c.2012) the crushed shells of ancient creatures called diatoms. It kills by cutting the outer shell of a bed bug and causing it to die of water loss. It can, like any dust, bother the lungs and air passages of people, especially those with asthma. Use DE carefully to make sure it doesn t get into the air. 2. Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) are chemicals that interfere with the growth of an organism. They are created to act on a specific insect and are unlikely to impact human health. Unfortunately, the IGR available for bed bugs don t work very well. (Continued on back)

2 3. Neoniconitides are very powerful toxins that act on an animal s nervous system. They are more effective against sucking insects than pyrethroids but bed bugs have shown resistance to their effects, too. They can cause harm to the human nervous system. These pesticides are often mixed with pyrethroids to make them work better, but in reality none of them work well against bed bugs. In fact bed bugs are so good at resisting insecticides and breeding they are often called a super bug. Chemical pesticides are not a silver bullet for bed bug control. Professional pest control operators (PCO) use basically the same pesticides as the average consumer. What makes a PCO more valuable for controlling bed bugs than the do-it-yourself approach is not access to better or stronger pesticides, it s their experience and greater knowledge of the pest. Risky Business: What makes a pesticide dangerous? Pesticides are created to kill living things, so they are dangerous by design. Every pesticide used has a chance to cause harm to the health of people, pets, and the environment. Here are some of what determines the danger of a pesticide: 1. The type of pesticide. Some pesticides are more toxic to humans than others. 2. How much of the insecticide is in the product. Higher concentrations lead to higher risk. 3. The chance of the product getting inside places it doesn t belong such as kids, pets and our drinking water. For example, aerosol sprays and foggers are riskier to use because they are more likely than liquids and dusts to end up in places we don t want them. We do not know the true health risk of any pesticide product. There are thousands of different formulations and we don t know enough about the combined effects of all the ingredients on human health. Since insecticides in stores don t work well on bed bugs and are toxic by design, B.I.T.E. Back! recommends using integrated pest management (IPM) to control bed bugs instead of solely relying on an insecticide. Check out our back issues of B.I.T.E. Back! for more information on bed bugs and IPM at factsheets/biteback!newlettersvol.1-8.pdf. Upcoming Events Safer Pest Control Project is scheduling FREE Bed Bugs in Chicago: What Every Client Service Organization and Building Manager Needs to Know seminars around Chicago June 6, Garfield Park at the Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N. Central Park from 9:30 am to noon. More to be scheduled. Check our website often. Go to midwestpesticideaction.org for more information and to register. The training is free but you must register to attend. Other Bed Bug Events: EPA Region 2, Bed Bugs Go to School Webinar on June 18th, noon to 1:30 pm. Sign up for this free webinar at www1.gotomeeting.com/register/ INSECTICIDES AND BED BUGS Leave It to the Professional. Pesticides are poisons and B.I.T.E. Back! believes only professionals should apply pesticides. Heat and other nonchemical control methods should always be the first choice. Here are some basic practices and precautions any good professional pest control operator (PCO) should take: 1. Your PCO should never promote insecticides as a silver bullet. Any good bed bug control effort will need to include the following: a. Proper education of residents, clients, staff, and management b. Thorough inspection c. Preparation of treated space that will depend on many factors d. Non-chemical treatments such as vacuuming, steam cleaning, laundering, etc e. Re-inspection f. Re-application 2. Your PCO should avoid the use of insecticides around children and other sensitive individuals. Children are more vulnerable to toxins, including pesticides, because they are still growing and developing. It s best to eliminate, or severely limit, pesticide use around children. 3. Your PCO should only use aerosols and liquid insecticides in cracks and crevices because that s where the bed bugs live. They work best when they make direct contact with a live bed bug while wet. They DO NOT kill bed bug eggs and they lose their killing power quickly when dry. 4. Your PCO should only use dusts in cracks and crevices. They are most effective when dusting is done lightly so that the bed bug doesn t avoid the dust. They DO NOT kill bed bug eggs. 5. Your PCO knows that more does not mean better control. A small amount used in a very targeted way will often give better control. 6. Your PCO will discuss reapplication as necessary. Because no insecticide works against bed bug eggs, no matter how carefully a pesticide is applied, it will have to be reapplied about two weeks later to kill any newly hatched bed bugs. If this is not done, the cycle of infestation will start all over again. 7. Your PCO will only use products as labeled. Using a pesticide in a different way, or on a different pest, than labeled is illegal and your PCO can be prosecuted and fined for doing so. Go to midwestpesticideaction.org to download bed bug factsheets and other useful information. Midwest SAFER PEST Pesticide CONTROL PROJECT Action is dedicated Center to is reducing dedicated the health to risks reducing and environmental the health impacts of risks pesticides and environmental promoting safer alternatives impacts in Illinois. of pesticides 4611 N. Ravenswood and Ave., promoting Suite 107, Chicago, safer Illinois alternatives Tel: 773/878-PEST (7378) Fax: 773/ Web: Safer Pest N. Control Ravenswood Project is funded Ave., in part Suite with 107, a grant Chicago, from the City Illinois of Chicago Department Tel: of Housing and Economic Development. Fax: Web: midwestpesticideaction.org Midwest Pesticide Action Center is funded in part with a grant from the City of Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development.

3 Bed Bug Information That Empowers Message from the Editor I wish I had better news for you, but, unfortunately, Chicago is now the Second City in a new way in an Orkin Pest Control 2011 survey, Chicago was ranked the second most infested city in America. In fact, the whole Midwest is infested by bed bugs, with Cincinnati ranking number one and Detroit ranking third. That said, there have been some exciting new developments in bed bug control offering hope to Chicago and beyond! Read on for the latest. A NEW Tool for Fighting Bed Bugs: Neem Oil Offers a Natural Alternative Neem oil, a naturally occurring organic oil derived from the neem tree (Azadirachta Indica), has been found to kill insects, and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it has been shown to help control bed bugs! It is already used in many cosmetics, including shampoos, make-up, soap, toothpaste, and hand creams, as well as traditional medicines. This is good news since there are so few products that have been proven to work against bed bugs. How does it work? 1. It discourages bed bugs from feeding. 2. It causes bed bugs to stop growing and eventually to die. 3. It forms a coating on insects bodies causing them to die from suffocation. 4. It helps reduce the number of eggs bed bugs lay by blocking their ability to mate successfully. Unfortunately, neem oil doesn t kill bed bug eggs. It must be reapplied every few weeks to kill newly hatched bed bugs until the problem is controlled. Neem tree (Azadirachta Indica) To treat for bed bugs, neem oil must be sprayed into cracks and crevices along baseboards, around electrical outlets and window frames or wherever bed bugs are found. It can be sprayed lightly on mattresses, box springs, and headboards to repel bed bugs. However, the repellent effects will only last a few weeks. Like most living things, bed bugs eventually get used to it. Neem oil has been categorized as having the lowest toxicity rating for human health effects (Toxicity Tier IV). This means it s relatively non-toxic to humans. As a naturally occurring insecticide, neem oil has been shown to pose little threat to fish, birds, or fetuses, does not contaminate water, and does not harm non-target organisms. In May 2012 the EPA registered two new pesticide products containing neem oil, TER-TRU1 and TER-CXI. TER-TRU1 is a ready-to-use product for residential and commercial use. TER-CXI is only for commercial use and is a concentrated formula. Like all pesticides, neem oil must come into direct contact with bed bugs to cause death. There s no substitute for awareness, good inspection, and follow-up for preventing or fighting an infestation. Hopefully neem oil proves to be a valuable addition to the bed bug control toolbox.

4 Fogger Update: Scientifically Proven to Not Work! B.I.T.E. Back! featured a short article on home insect fogger/bombs in our Fall 2011 issue (Volume 7), in it we gave some examples of why foggers don t work. Until recently, no scientific studies had been done to support these general observations. Thanks to a study, released this June, from Ohio State University, Department of Entomology, that s changed. Their study showed that buying bed bug foggers is a waste of money and time. The study tested four popular brands of bug bombs in real world situations. Three of the bombs were labeled for all flying and crawling insects and the fourth was labeled specifically for controlling bed bugs. All foggers claimed to kill on contact, yet the bed bugs were unaffected by the content in the bombs even when it was applied directly to the bugs. None of the products killed enough bed bugs to be considered effective. Coupled with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention s (CDC) 2008 ruling that foggers are dangerous to human health, the Ohio State findings supports the best practices advice that foggers not be used to fight bed bugs. Don t waste your money. Bed Bug Reality Check 101: The Facts Fact: Sealing and bagging up clothing, bedding, stuffed animals, and other items are not recommended to kill bed bugs. Bed bugs have been known to live up to a year on one meal. Storing clothes and other belongings in sealed containers may keep them safe from becoming infested or prevent the spread of an infestation. However, to get rid of the bed bugs on your stuff, other treatments are needed. See previous issues of B.I.T.E. Back! for options ( BITEBack!newlettersVol.1-8.pdf). Upcoming Events FREE Bed Bugs in Chicago: What Every Client Service Organization and Building Manager Needs to Know September 12th: Vodak-East Side Library, 3710 E. 106th St., Chicago 1:00 to 3:30 pm October 10th: Blackstone Library, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave., Chicago 1:00 to 3:30 pm Go to midwestpesticideaction.org for more information and to register. The training is free but you must register to attend. What to do with a mattress if bed bugs are found. Your first instinct may be to throw it out. Don t do it! Throwing out a mattress because of bed bugs and buying a new one will NOT fix your problem and can be expensive! Many people believe that they must throw out their mattress if they find bed bugs on it. This is not true. In fact, throwing out mattresses and other furniture can actually spread the problem.* Here are several steps that can be taken to de-bug contaminated furniture: 1. Inspect carefully and often. 2. Wash all bedding regularly and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes bed bugs and their eggs are killed by temperatures of 120 o F or higher. 3. Vacuum carefully around bed, on the mattress, and nearby furniture. 4. Steam clean mattresses and nearby upholstered furniture. Make sure the steam heats to 220 o F for best results. 5. Seal the mattress and box springs with bed bug proof covers which are also called encasements after vacuuming and steam cleaning. The cover traps any remaining bugs or eggs inside and prevents new bed bugs from getting in. Remember, if you don t get rid of the bed bugs in other infested areas before bringing in a new mattress or other furniture, the new items will become infested. Bed bugs are attracted to you, NOT your mattress. * Disposed-of furniture should always be wrapped in plastic and labeled as bed bug contaminated before being taken to the curb to prevent the spread of bed bugs in other parts of the building and other unsuspecting people bringing the item into their home. Go to midwestpesticideaction.org to download bed bug factsheets and other useful information. Midwest SAFER PEST Pesticide CONTROL PROJECT Action is dedicated Center to is reducing dedicated the health to risks reducing and environmental the health impacts of risks pesticides and and environmental promoting safer alternatives impacts in Illinois. of pesticides 4611 N. Ravenswood and promoting Ave., Suite 107, Chicago, safer Illinois alternatives Tel: 773/878-PEST (7378) Fax: 773/ Web: Safer Pest N. Ravenswood Control Project is funded Ave., in part Suite with 107, a grant Chicago, from the City Illinois of Chicago Department Tel: of Housing and Economic Development. Fax: Web: midwestpesticideaction.org Midwest Pesticide Action Center is funded in part with a grant from the City of Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development.

5 Bed Bug Information That Empowers Message from the Editor It s no secret that bed bugs are a particularly difficult pest to control and have been a growing concern in the City of Chicago over the past four years. Bed bugs are excellent at hiding and can survive long periods of time between feedings. Unfortunately, many treatments on the market are simply not effective. Many miracle products are touted as quick and affordable fixes. Chicago citizens should be skeptical of these so-called easy solutions. If you have bed bugs, it s important not to panic and throw out bedclothes, rugs, and other items that can be preserved with proper treatment. It s also important not to waste money on solutions and service providers that promise too much. In this issue, we ll discuss how the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is challenging false claims and examine a recent announcement that named Chicago as the #1 city for bed bugs. Buyer Beware: Federal Trade Commission Cracks Down on False Claims The FTC is bringing a lawsuit against RMB Group, LLC, manufacturers of Rest Easy Bug Spray, for over-hyping their products and making false claims about their effectiveness against bed bugs and lice. The spray was sold in retail chains like Walgreens and Bed Bath & Beyond and claimed to naturally repel bed bugs and that the consumer could create a barrier by spraying it around their bed. Their products contain cedar, cinnamon, lemon grass, peppermint, and clove oils, which are all natural products, but they do not prevent or eliminate bed bugs. The only prevention tactic for bed bugs is to be aware that you may bring them home and to adjust your behavior accordingly. The FTC said there is not enough evidence that supports their claim that cedar oil kills bed bugs. The maker of Rest Easy settled for $264,976. It may seem tempting to purchase products that claim to eradicate bed bugs naturally instead of turning to a professional pest control company or more traditional solutions, but you must be skeptical and look for the facts. Otherwise you risk wasting your money and not alleviating the problem. Safer Pest Control Project wants you to be aware of the false claims that some companies may make in order to sell their products. Ineffective products can waste your time, money, and effort. As seen with bed bug foggers, they can even make your infestation worse and more difficult to treat. The FTC recommends that you check with a local pest control specialist before using any products that purport to eliminate bed bugs. Check out BITE Back! Vol. 5 and all of our other helpful information at

6 Is Chicago Really #1? After seeing a 33% increase in business over 2011, pest control company Orkin recently ranked Chicago as #1 in requests for bed bug treatment services in Chicago moved up from its #2 spot the year before, knocking Cincinnati from the top spot. The entomologist and technical services director for Orkin, Ron Harrison, Ph.D., sees the continuing growth in new requests for bed bug services as direct evidence that bed bugs continue to be a problem throughout the U.S. Alarming as this may sound, it is important to look closely at the data to understand what this report really means. While bed bugs do continue to be a problem in the U.S., this announcement is based off of the service requests of just one company, Orkin. It is not a comprehensive study of total bed bug occurrences and does not include requests of other pest control companies. Other possible explanations for the increase in Orkin services may include Chicago residents switching over to Orkin, clients in other cities who previously used Orkin to switch to another company, or a particularly affective marketing campaign in Chicago. While Chicago is at the top of this particular list, it means little without more comprehensive data on the full scope of the bed bug problem. Where do Pest Control Operators Find Bed Bugs? This chart provides relative percentages of where pest control operators routinely find bed bugs. Walls & Ceiling 2.3% Where do bed bugs hide? Dresser 0.2% Couch & Chair 22.6% Frame & Headboard 13.4% Baseboard Areas 1.4% Other 3.1% Mattress 22.4% Boxspring 34.6% Source: University of Kentucky study of infested apartments City of Chicago Moves Toward a Comprehensive Bed Bug Ordinance. Earlier this year, three aldermen, Ray Suarez (31st Ward), Harry Osterman (48th Ward), and Debra Silverstein (50th Ward) held a joint hearing to discuss a bed bug ordinance that will be introduced to the Chicago City Council this spring. We support the passage of the ordinance. It is paramount that the city tackles this issue at an institutional level with a comprehensive, collaborative, and well-funded plan. Safer Pest Control Project has played a key role in providing technical assistance to develop this ordinance. We will be posting any updates to the ordinance s progress on our Facebook account. Check out an editorial on the ordinance that appeared in the Chicago Tribune earlier this year here. Upcoming events: Two new dates: free regional bed bug trainings Registration is available at April 30th: Rogers Park Library 6907 N Clark St, Chicago 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. June 5th: Garfield Park Conservatory Jensen Room 300 N. Central Park Ave, Chicago 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Go to midwestpesticideaction.org to download bed bug factsheets and other useful information. Midwest SAFER PEST Pesticide CONTROL PROJECT Action is dedicated Center to is reducing dedicated the health to risks reducing and environmental the health impacts of risks pesticides and and environmental promoting safer alternatives impacts in Illinois. of pesticides 4611 N. Ravenswood and promoting Ave., Suite 107, Chicago, safer Illinois alternatives Tel: 773/878-PEST (7378) Fax: 773/ Web: Safer Pest N. Ravenswood Control Project is funded Ave., in part Suite with 107, a grant Chicago, from the City Illinois of Chicago Department Tel: of Housing and Economic Development. Fax: Web: midwestpesticideaction.org Midwest Pesticide Action Center is funded in part with a grant from the City of Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development.