The influence of time and distance traveled by bed bugs,Cimex lectularius,on permethrin uptake from treated mattress liners

Abstract

This permethrin-treated fabric provides a surface from which bed bugs begin rapidly to absorb permethrin on contact and within the first 1 cm of travel. Variability in uptake was likely a result of grooming and thigmotaxis, and future work should use quantitative methods to study behaviors and formulations that increase exposure to the toxicant. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Temperature stress deteriorates bed bug (Cimex lectularius) populations through decreased survival, fecundity and offspring success

“…To further improve the effect of sublethal heat, regular stimulation with CO 2 to mimic the presence of the host may increase bed bug activity [ 3 , 27 , 75 – 78 ]. This will reduce quiescent time in aggregations to increase water loss [ 3 ], shorten time to reach critical levels of energy drainage [ 1 , 3 ] and beneficially elevate contact time with other killing agents present in the room [ 27 , 79 ]. In turn, increased activity due to heat stress, starvation or stimulation may increase the possibility of undesirable dispersal of bed bugs to new rooms, and countermeasures to seal off possible escape routes with desiccant dusts, silicone rubber or other sealants, should therefore be considered.…”

Flour beetles prefer corners over walls and are slowed down with increasing habitat complexity

“…For example, Experiment 1 suggests the optimal trap location-corners that intersect long walls. Other studies raised similar suggestions of placing traps for pests along long walls or in corners [71][72][73][74]. If corners or obstacles slow the beetles down, delay them a bit or force the beetles to move along them, then traps placed there may be more attractive.…”