[PCT on the Road] Bed Bugs in the Crosshairs

Tropical Bed Bug: Is it the Next Cimex Species to Invade the U.S.?

A sample of bed bugs from Hawaii proved that pest management professionals in the “Aloha State” aren’t just dealing with the common bed bug, but a tropical invader: Cimex hemipterus. To the untrained eye, tropical bed bugs look identical to common bed bugs, said North Carolina State University Research Associate Dr. Warren Booth, who identified the species using DNA analysis.

The sample of five adult bed bugs and 20 nymphs was provided by Orkin.

Cimex hemipterus may be the next bed bug species to invade the U.S., Booth said.

Hot, humid southern states and Mexico could provide suitable environments for the pests. Likely points of introduction include the West Coast and cities with airports flying to and from Hawaii.

Booth is unsure how widespread tropical bed bugs are in Hawaii, but doesn’t believe PMPs need to vary control techniques. Like their cousins, some of the pests are resistant to common insecticides. Tropical bed bugs can mate with common bed bugs, however, the resulting hybrids are believed to be sterile.

Several populations of tropical bed bugs have been reported in Florida, according to the Mallis Handbook of Pest Control (Tenth Edition, 2011).

Ohio State University Entomologist Dr. Susan Jones reported the pests are widespread in the warmer areas of Africa, Asia, and the tropics of North America and South America.
 

Tips for Dealing with Resistance. If you’ve found bed bugs aren’t responding like they should — or were — to insecticides like pyrethrin, you’re not alone. “We do have different mechanisms of resistance out there,” said University of Kentucky Entomologist Dr. Ken Haynes. He suggested pest management professionals rotate the use of products with different modes of action and use them wisely. “There’s no easy answer for this,” he said.

BedBug Central Entomologist Richard Cooper suggested moving to nonchemical alternatives, like vacuuming, steaming, freezing and heat treatment.

Will bed bugs become even more resistant in the future? It’s possible, said North Carolina State University Research Associate Dr. Warren Booth. Over the next five to 10 years he expects the number of bed bug infestations to rise and populations to inter-breed, especially in cities like New York City and Cincinnati. The resulting populations will be more genetically diverse, and genes linked to insecticide resistance could be introduced to populations once considered susceptible. Booth said controlling the pests may become “more difficult” through the increased likelihood of insecticide-resistant genes spreading.

Prefer Heat? Make Sure You’re Fire Code Compliant

Pest management professionals using heat to zap bed bugs may be violating the National Fire Protection Code.

The code states ordinary sprinkler heads, like those used in hotels that activate between 135°F and 155°F, cannot be exposed to ceiling temperatures above 100°F. This is the temperature at which they begin to degrade. Although sprinklers may not turn on during service, their functionality could be affected, explained Massey Services Technical and Training Director Tom Jarzynka.

In addition, nothing can be placed within 18 inches of the sprinkler head or be done to impede its performance.

“PMPs using insulated covers over sprinkler heads during heat treatment are likely violating the code,” Jarzynka said.

Jarzynka spoke to fire suppression engineers, sprinkler manufacturers and local fire officials in developing Massey Services’ heat program. Due diligence was essential to ensure “we were not violating fire safety codes.” Fifty percent of the company’s bed bug service calls use heat.

Massey Services requires property managers to hire a fire suppression company to replace ordinary sprinkler heads with higher-temperature intermediate heads. When the treatment is complete, the heads are switched back to ordinary heads. This generally adds 30 percent — $250 to $350 per hotel room — to the cost of service, said Jarzynka. He said he will walk away from clients who won’t comply. “I can’t go into an environment and perform a treatment where I could be damaging the sprinkler heads,” he said.

Massey Services’ program satisfies local fire and building officials, but other markets may have different regulations. He advised PMPs to fully understand their state and local fire codes, get an understanding for how fire suppression systems work and their limitations, and design a protocol that won’t cause sprinkler heads to fail…now or some time down the road.

“Sprinklers save lives,” he reminded.