Note: for a recent discussion of chlorfenapyr, see this: BASF’s bed bug prevention pitch.
The Changlu Wang et al. IPM study is out. It’s too depressing for words.
ABSTRACT
The cost and effectiveness of two bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) integrated pest management (IPM) programs were evaluated for 10 wk. Sixteen bed bug-infested apartments were chosen from a high-rise low-income apartment building. The apartments were randomly divided into two treatment groups: diatomaceous earth dust-based IPM (D-IPM) and chlorfenapyr spray-based IPM (S-IPM). The initial median (minimum, maximum) bed bug counts (by visual inspection) of the two treatment groups were 73.5 (10, 352) and 77 (18, 3025), respectively. A seminar and an educational brochure were delivered to residents and staff. It was followed by installing encasements on mattresses and box springs and applying hot steam to bed bug-infested areas in all 16 apartments. Diatomaceous earth dust (Mother Earth-D) was applied in the D-IPM group 2 d after steaming. In addition, bed bug-intercepting devices were installed under legs of infested beds or sofas or chairs to intercept bed bugs. The S-IPM group only received 0.5% chlorfenapyr spray (Phantom) after the nonchemical treatments. All apartments were monitored bi-weekly and retreated when necessary. After 10 wk, bed bugs were eradicated from 50% of the apartments in each group. Bed bug count reduction (mean ± SEM) was 97.6 ± 1.6 and 89.7 ± 7.3% in the D-IPM and S-IPM groups, respectively. Mean treatment costs in the 10-wk period were $463 and $482 per apartment in the D-IPM and S-IPM groups, respectively. Bed bug interceptors trapped an average of 219 ± 135 bed bugs per apartment in 10 wk. The interceptors contributed to the IPM program efficacy and were much more effective than visual inspections in estimating bed bug numbers and determining the existence of bed bug infestations.
Changlu Wang, Timothy Gibb, Gary W. Bennett (2009) Evaluation of Two Least Toxic Integrated Pest Management Programs for Managing Bed Bugs (Heteroptera: Cimicidae) With Discussion of a Bed Bug Intercepting Device. Journal of Medical Entomology 46:3, 566-571 doi: 10.1603/033.046.0322 [free PDF download here]
I actually haven’t read this paper I have to say, and yes, it does occur to me that I shouldn’t be blogging it then, but I found it only because I was looking for information about DE, trying to understand something that I don’t understand and cannot even find, more on that soon, so maybe it’s not depressing. You tell me. But if so you’ll have to explain how 50% is not depressing, please.
For information on the monitors, see this bedbugger post.
These pages may be of related interest:
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I see hope, but maybe that’s because I know very little about these sort of studies.
(Ignoring the Phantom study for now) IPM with just steam, DE, interceptors, encasements and education _eradicated_ infestations in half the subjects in just ten weeks. IPM _can_ work! I wonder if you’d see higher eradication rates if the study period had been longer (e.g. 16 weeks vs. 10 weeks).
I know 10, 16, 20 weeks is a long time, but people fight infestations with restricted pesticides for longer periods than that and still don’t eradicate their problem. I wonder if the researchers analyzed how other factors influenced the results, e.g. the initial size of the infestation.
Thanks for that optimism, persona.
Yeah, I shouldn’t have posted this without reading the paper. For one thing, their study was not designed to compare chlorfenapyr-based IPM treatment against DE-IPM treatment, so the title of this post is inappropriate.
Failure occurred in some cases because, well, here’s their description:
They also came away with these thoughts about what is necessary:
I was able to download a copy of this paper by doing the journal article search directly on the ESA’s website on this page. This direct link to the PDF download may or may not work.
I can email it to you later if you want to read it.
Best.
The PDF link worked. I’ll check it out.
That excerpt is interesting. Despite some challenging circumstances, the investigators were still able to eradicate a sizable percentage. (Not saying ALL participants were unable or unwilling to cooperate.)
That brings new optimism and a little sadness too. If folks are able & willing to commit to a recommended IPM protocol, surely the odds of success will improve. But that woman … bringing back the bedbugged chair. How frustrating …
On a general note, Renee, the information and content of this blog is amazing!
Another interesting part of this study: they crafted home-made interceptors. The interceptors were found to be more effective than visual inspection in detecting low-levels of bedbugs.
If folks can’t order or purchase the interceptors available now, they could attempt to rig interceptors as described by the study below:
Thanks, persona, that is very kind.
We’re going to wrap up this year; this is all way too sad, so I really appreciate your shot of optimism here. I have 2 at most 3 things on my to do list, just waiting for the city to name the board so that we can meet with them.
Dri-die WHERE CAN i BUY IT?
I don’t think this product is manufactured anymore (registration cancelled) — you can search the internet or call local pest control shops (search the internet for ‘pest control products’ plus your zip code to find local stores) for alternatives. There is a variety of desiccant dusts but not all may be available to non-professionals.
you can buy food grade DE on eBay. 5 pound for 20$$ I think.the best price you will find. You have to use food grade. The regular, big DE is a carcinogen
I use food grade DE for my chickens. My daughter had bed bugs . Im headed to NJ to kill kill kill.