A paper in the publication, Insects, published on May 11, 2011 finally brings sobering evidence that in fact, bed bugs are not indestructible.  You can find that paper here. This research done at Virginia tech suggests that bed bugs can only survive a modest 3-5 months at most without feeding. Furthermore, having genetic resistance to pesticides shortens the survival rate even further. The additional energy expended on thickening exoskeletons and producing large amounts of detoxification enzyme diminished their survival rates considerably.

The researchers at Virginia tech were specifically trying to find out if this new resistance to pesticides changed the survival rate during starvation. The results are dramatic to say the least. The study was conducted using 2 strains that were susceptible to pyrethroids and two that were resistant. Ist instar nymphs had the shortest  survival time, 13.8–36.3 days mean, 13.8 representing survival time for one of the two resistant strains and 36.3 representing one of the two non-resistant strains. The differences in survival rates varied between all strains, showing the greatest survival rate to be 3rd and 4th instars of the non-resistant strains at 116.4–142.6. Adults bed bugs maxed out at 106 days of survival after their last blood meal.

The paper points out that in addition to the older studies not accounting for resistance to pyrethroids, they were conducted with bed bugs being held at a temperature below 11°C  (51.8°F).  It is unlikely that residential temperatures would ever dip that low.

I don’t know enough microbiology to know if the following is significant, however, it should be noted that the study was conducted using chicken blood as the food source for the bed bugs as they were being reared and also as their final blood meal. Though the bed bugs were kept in optimal conditions for longevity until their final blood meal, I can’t help but wonder if the source of the blood could possibly contribute to the difference in survivorship compared to the studies from prior to 1950. It seems reasonable that if there is any difference in the nutrient density of human blood and chicken blood, it could make a difference.

Still, the results found in this paper are good news. At the very least, one can conceivably wait out an infestation by moving into the shed for 5 months.

The full article is available here. The bed frame is made of metal that is coated with an extra slippery top coat. The legs are splayed to make it impossible to push the mattress up against the wall and the mattress is covered in vinyl.

It is gaining popularity in low income housing just through word of mouth. It makes sense for many uses, such as homeless shelters and youth hostels as well.

Here is the link to the full story.

The pesticide in question is Pyrophus. There were several other sudden tourists deaths around the same time and investigations are still ongoing.

Similar horror stories are happening here in the U. S. as residents take matters into their own hands, purchasing pesticides meant for outdoor use, such as Propoxur, and using them indoors in unsafe doses. There are also reports of parents who spray their children down with Raid before putting them to bed.

If for no other reason then the unsafe use of pesticides, bed bugs have become a serious health risk on a global scale.

Thank you Jeff for being a voice of reason and taking on a topic which is important, though a bit outside your scope of expertise.

In New York City, I can see this becoming a hot item With 6-10% of the populations living with bed bugs currently, it would make perfect sense to add a UV germicide to the arsenal.

Another inventor created a bed bug proof locker liner. I personally have suspicions about this product not being able to protect your belongings. The only benefit is that since there is no blood meal in your locker, perhaps the liners will encourage any residing bed bugs to move on to another locker that is easier to penetrate.

Other researcher’s mentioned that domestic steamers are not very effective, that it must be an industrial grade steamer for the high heat and capacity. There must be an output temperature of over 180ºF and the capacity must allow for a reasonable working duration or else frustration ensues. It was even mentioned that a dry steamer without a towel, but just from the nozzle pushing steam into a crevice beneath floorboards can reach 3 to 4 inches into the floorboard thus reaching kill temperatures inside the floorboards. Furthermore convection vs conduction heat was discussed as to the possibility of bugs escaping during heating process. Convection, where hot air is moved into spaces such as wall cavities allowed for far less movement as the bugs did not attempt to move until the heat of 118ºF was already reached, which results in immediate death for adults (122ºF results in immediate death of eggs). With Conduction, bugs started to move at 80ºF, started to attempt to feed at 95ºF, and started to try to escape as the temperatures reached over 105ºF.

Bedbugs today appear to have nerve cells better able to withstand the chemical effects, higher levels of enzymes that detoxify the lethal substances, and thicker shells that can block insecticides.

This is helpful but no one really can foresee how these findings will help in the fight against bed bugs. Clearly this is a strong argument for Integrative Pest Management strategies, especially mechanical methods such as heat. I wonder what the verdict is on the thicker shell’s ability to protect a bed bug from Diatomaceous Earth. Frightening.

You now know for sure that an exterminator who says he can spray ‘em dead is probably not the guy you want to hire.