The dreaded bed bug | Latamplagas

The concept of plague has an anthropic origin, and as such, it varies subtly from person to person. Although most of us agree that a certain species is or is not a pest, there can always be exceptions and this variation in the degree of tolerance to the presence of insects, mites, birds or some other invasive species not only depends on the person themselves, but also on the scenario where the pest develops. An operating room, a restaurant, a raw materials warehouse or a hotel room are not the same.

Citing some definition, we can specify the concept of Urban Pest as animals that compete with man in the search for food and water, invading the spaces where human activities take place; generating damages such as destruction of food, fibers, housing structures, transmission of diseases, decrease in comfort, damage to ornamental species or simply perception of rejection.

Pest management professionals should aim to control the pest quickly, effectively and efficiently; a task that is usually not simple and requires adequate professional aptitude to face that mission in a responsible and serious manner, quickly adapting to each client, understanding their problems, satisfying their needs and always managing within the current regulatory framework.

When we talk about pest control in hotels, resorts and the like, let us remember that there is a wide range of pests in a wide variety of environments. These scenarios have a large flow of people, spaces with green areas, restaurants, recreational areas, rooms and places open to the public 24 hours a day; aspects to keep in mind when implementing Integrated Pest Management.

Hotels, resorts and the like live on reputation, so poor pest management has a direct impact on a substantial decrease in customers. Guests should not see pests or smell insecticides. The treatments to be carried out should always be approached with a low profile, trying to go unnoticed. Rooms without guests should be treated, as well as bars and restaurants when they are closed.

Dialogue with employees is very important in order to quickly detect problems and be able to act accordingly.

In short, there are numerous pests in numerous scenarios. In order to try to cover the main topics in the management of the most important pests in hotels, resorts and similar, we will address the bed bug, a prominent pest in these environments.

Bed bug (Cimex lectularius)

In recent years, inquiries about the management of this hemipteran have increased. It is one of the main species that keeps health officials in hotels worried.

This turns out to be a complex insect to handle. The main effort should focus on carrying out a precise inspection in order to subsequently carry out targeted treatments with specific products approved for this purpose. Such inspection usually takes a long operational time.

What do we look for when we inspect?

Adult bed bugs measure between 4 and 8 mm in length, have no wings, and are light brown in color distributed evenly throughout the body. They have well-developed legs that allow them to hold tightly to the host during feeding, and they have prominent antennae adjacent to the compound eyes.

Inspections and treatments have to be thorough. As a guide, the search should focus on the following places:

Mattresses, including under buttons and seams.
The frame and headboard of the bed, as well as the pillows and sheets.
Legs of the bed, paying special attention especially if they are hollow.
Nightstands and furniture in general.
Any crack in the wall.
Under the wallpaper.
Inside the covers of sockets and light switches.
Behind pictures and mirrors.

Management: application of insecticides

Regarding the application of insecticides, let us always remember to use products registered for that use. Targeted treatments with microencapsulated pyrethroids, growth regulator insecticides and powder insecticides usually give positive results, especially when we include the application of carbamates in the rotation.

As application elements, the use of fan nozzles for extensive surface treatments and cannulas for crevice treatments is recommended; Misting is not recommended since it does not generate sufficient penetration.

If the product allows it, treat the mattresses, seams and zippers. Do not apply insecticide on the sheets. Treat the structural elements of the bed.

Apply insecticidal powder on electrical and electronic elements, on telephones, alarm clocks and televisions, and on electrical boxes. The switches should be removed and treated as well.

Apply insecticide on the walls, mainly where they meet the floor and under the baseboards. Treat all the furniture and all the elements that may be arranged on the walls.

Inspect and treat all rooms. Even rooms adjoining the infested room, those adjacent to it, and those on upper and lower floors should be inspected and treated if necessary.

A chemical application that misses locations where individuals may be hiding will result in a failed treatment.

Other handling methods

Washing

Washing clothing and fabrics at 60°C for 30 minutes kills all stages of the bed bug. Drying the fabrics with hot, dry air at a temperature of 40-45 °C for 30 minutes also eliminates all stages. It is recommended to complement the washing with drying at the highest possible temperature and for as long as possible in both procedures.

Dry cleaning with perchloroethylene kills all stages of the biological cycle of bed bugs.

Treatments with extreme temperatures

There is equipment that produces extreme heat or cold that can be used to treat beds and other surfaces. These techniques are especially useful in sensitive areas where insecticides cannot be used. These techniques have been shown to be effective against bed bugs, complemented by vacuuming.

Freezing at -20°C also achieves 100% control. Treated materials must be left in place long enough to ensure that the temperature reaches the desired freezing value. Treatment times can range from a few days to weeks. Of course, this type of treatment has zero residuality.

Steam treatments

The success of this technique depends on the quality of the vapor. This method is particularly useful as it kills all stages of the insect, including the egg. Dry steam with a humidity of less than 5% and a temperature of 94 °C, applied at high pressure, is recommended.

Mattress covers

Mattresses are one of the most important points of bed bug infestations, where there is normally a higher concentration of insects, but they are also the most delicate places to treat because people spend a third of their lives in direct contact there.

References

Truman's Scientific Guide to Pest Control.
Boase, C. J. (2001) Bed bugs, back from the brink. Pesticide Outlook.
Bed Bug Manual, Killgerm, Barcelona, Spain.
California COP Guidelines for the Control and Prevention of Bed Bug Infestations in California.