Bedbug Control

Bedbugs are a very specialized group of true bugs (of the insect Order Hemiptera) that have evolved away from their plant-feeding cousins to specialize in sucking blood from vertebrate hosts. Probably evolved from insects that originally fed on the blood of bats in caves; the two main pest bedbugs; the common bedbug (Cimex lectularius) and the tropical bedbug (Cimex hemipterus) now feed almost exclusively on man. When bitten, people generally have a very red, very itchy reaction which can succumb to secondary infections; however there is no evidence to suggest that bedbugs are vectors of disease.

Bedbugs are very much an urban pest problem; one that was more or less forgotten about until only a few years ago. The increased ease in international travel and the more focussed (less broad spectrum) nature of professional pest control pesticide applications have been a couple of reasons offered for the recent resurgence in bedbug activity. They are now an increasingly common pest in a variety of situations.

Due to their cryptic nature and the fact that they will utilize all manner of cracks and crevices as harbourages, their successful control can be difficult.

Thorough Inspection of the infested area, as well as adjacent rooms and areas is essential and control methods should entail both chemical and non-chemical approach.

The main point of reference for the control of bedbugs should be ‘The Code of Practice for Control of Bedbug Infestations in Australia’. This is a document which has been put together by an Industry working party and it addresses the key elements in successful bedbug control.

The Bayer Environmental Science products which are recommended for use in bedbug control are listed below:

• Cislin Residual Insecticide
• Tempo Residual Insecticide
• Ficam W Insecticide
• Ficam D Insecticide
• Coopex Insecticidal Dusting Powder