Bed bug infestations are a common reason for calling in a pest controller in the United States, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes detailed guidance on how products are regulated and why treatments sometimes fail. This article summarises that guidance for readers in the US; rules and products in the UK and elsewhere differ. For general signs and what a professional visit involves, see the site’s guide to bed bugs: signs to check and what professional treatment involves.
How the EPA regulates bed bug products
The EPA states that it has registered more than 300 products for use against bed bugs. Most can be used by consumers, but a few are registered for use only by specially trained professionals, and the agency evaluates data on safety and effectiveness before approving them. It directs users to its Bed Bug Product Search tool, and to a pest management professional for inspection and, if needed, application of approved pesticides. It also points to the local Cooperative Extension Service office for advice on suitable products for a given area.
The registered products fall into seven chemical classes in common use: pyrethrins, pyrethroids, desiccants, biochemicals, pyrroles, neonicotinoids and insect growth regulators. A further class, dichlorvos, is registered for a narrow use as a pest strip for small enclosures. The EPA notes that each class kills bed bugs by a different mode of action, and that using products with different modes of action can reduce the likelihood of resistance developing.
Resistance, desiccants and label rules
The EPA describes pyrethrins and pyrethroids as the most common compounds used against bed bugs and other indoor pests, but says some bed bug populations have become resistant to them. Where resistant strains exist, these treatments may cause bed bugs to move to a new hiding place or be only temporarily flushed out.
Desiccants, such as diatomaceous earth and boric acid, work by destroying the waxy protective coating on the insect, so that it slowly dehydrates. The EPA says bed bugs cannot become resistant to them in the way they can to pesticides with other modes of action. It also gives an important warning: when using desiccants, only those registered by the EPA and labelled for bed bug control should be used, because desiccants intended for other purposes, such as food-grade products or those for swimming pools, pose an increased inhalation risk to people. Use of desiccants is limited to cracks and crevices to reduce inhalation risk.
Why treatments fail
The EPA’s “When Treatments Don’t Work” page notes that bed bugs are so small that they can live in a crack the width of a credit card. It lists reasons a pesticide treatment may fail to control them completely:
- Not finding all the bed bugs.
- Inadequate preparation, such as failing to remove clutter or seal cracks and crevices.
- Overlooking known resting areas, including hampers, bed frames and furniture.
- Failing to treat nearby areas, such as adjacent rooms or other apartments.
- Disregarding label rates; the EPA says too low a rate may not kill bugs and may speed resistance.
- No follow-up: many pesticides will not kill eggs, so treatment must be repeated after the eggs hatch.
- Not allowing enough time; some products, such as drying agents or growth regulators, take time to work.
- Resistance to a specific type of pesticide.
The agency adds that resistance can only be verified in laboratory tests, and is only one of many possible causes of failure. It advises homeowners to use pesticides according to the label, be vigilant in monitoring, hire trained, experienced and reputable pest management professionals, and use a comprehensive approach. For a customer, this list doubles as a set of questions to ask a contractor: how will hidden areas be found, what preparation is expected, and when will the follow-up visit be? The site’s guide to pests returning after treatment covers the record-keeping side.
What landlords are told to plan
The EPA’s guidance for landlords says any landlord of an apartment or other facility is likely to deal with bed bugs at some point. It recommends finding out what local laws or regulations apply, since there could be reporting or response requirements, training staff to identify and inspect for bed bugs, and making a prevention plan that includes detailed inspections when tenants leave. It advises educating tenants before problems arise and emphasising quick reporting, and it says not to blame tenants, since often there is no fault involved: a culture of blame can cause residents to delay reporting, which leads to more extensive and more expensive infestations.
The response advice includes inspecting promptly, involving residents, evaluating adjacent units, and monitoring treated units to ensure all bed bugs have been killed. It says some researchers recommend treating all adjacent units, both sides, above and below. It also recommends hiring professionals with documented bed bug experience who use a comprehensive strategy rather than only spraying pesticides. This reflects the integrated approach explained in the site’s guide to integrated pest management.
Frequently asked questions
Can a householder use any product labelled for pest control? The EPA says desiccants must be registered by the EPA and labelled for bed bug control; products for other uses pose an increased inhalation risk.
Is a single treatment enough? The EPA says many pesticides will not kill eggs, so a follow-up treatment after hatching is often needed.
The bottom line
In the United States, the EPA has registered more than 300 bed bug products across several chemical classes, warns that resistance to pyrethroids exists in some populations, and says label rates, preparation, follow-up and treatment of adjacent areas decide whether a treatment works. Landlords are advised to plan ahead, act quickly on reports and avoid blaming tenants. Anyone outside the US should follow their own national rules. This is general information, not a substitute for the product label or a professional inspection.
Sources
- US Environmental Protection Agency, “Pesticides to Control Bed Bugs” (epa.gov)
- US Environmental Protection Agency, “When Treatments Don’t Work” (epa.gov)
- US Environmental Protection Agency, “What Landlords Need to Know about Bed Bugs” (epa.gov)