Bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests to control. In recent studies, scientists observed that pests produce enzymes that neutralize pesticides. In addition, the scientists discovered that the pests acquired mutations in their nerve cells, which attenuated the neurotic effect of the pesticides.
Insects develop resistance to pesticides by natural selection, a non-random process where biological traits become common in a population based on the differential reproduction of their carriers. The insects that survive the pesticide are the most resistant and pass on genetic traits to their offspring.
Several factors contribute to pest resistance, one of which is exposure of the pest to natural toxins over a long period of time. Another reason is that pests produce large numbers of offspring, which increases the likelihood of random mutations. This allows the number of resistant mutants to increase rapidly. Because the insects are difficult to kill, you must use a variety of techniques and treatments.
Bed bug control refers to the techniques used to detect, eradicate, and reduce a bed bug infestation. Five control techniques support knowledge construction (inspection, detection, observation, post-treatment evaluation, and follow-up procedures) and two elimination techniques (application of treatments and preventive control measures) reduce, detect, and eliminate bed bugs.
The process begins with acquiring knowledge about pests. A good understanding of bed bug habits, biology, and behavior is the foundation of a good control program.
People without knowledge try to control them and fail. The structured approach (construction of knowledge, prevention, control and application of treatments) is the basis of effective control.
Acquire knowledge
The construction of knowledge transcends the biology, behavior and habits of the pest. It takes cause and effect into account. In other words, successful control depends on finding the answers to 6 questions:
1. Why do bed bugs enter the house? They need shelter and food.
2. When did they enter the house? The extent of the infestation determines when the pests entered the home. An established infestation implies that they have been around for a while. Low infestation implies that they were recently introduced to the home.
3. What can I do to remove them? It is important that you study the biology, behavior, and habits of bed bugs and understand and implement the proper techniques to reduce, detect, and eradicate the pests.
4. How do bed bugs get into the house? Pests can enter the home in 3 ways:
Person: someone physically carries them home in luggage or other personal belongings.
Thing: They enter the house through furniture, equipment, clothing or any other used item.
Forcible invasion: entering the house from a neighboring apartment, especially in a multi-unit complex.
5. What are bed bugs like? You should do your research on the pest or have a pest control professional identify the target pest.
6. Where can I get help with a difficult infestation? Hire a pest control professional to remove the pest.
Inspection
The inspection consists of locating shelters. Two types of inspections, visual and canine, are used in bed bug control. Canine inspection involves the use of a trained dog to locate shelters.
Dog inspection is quick and 95% guaranteed that the dog will be successful. Since it is only 95% guaranteed, a visual inspection is still necessary to locate shelters missed by canine inspection.
Visual inspection is a physical search for shelters. It is tedious and time consuming, but it is the only technique that makes it easy to locate and treat all shelters. Although the dog locates the shelter, someone has to clean and treat it. Therefore, visual inspection complements canine inspection.
Detection
Detection in bed bug control refers to finding evidence that suggests an infestation. In other words, bed bug inspection makes detection easier.
what to look for
1. Bed bugs and adult nymphs
2. Eggs, eggshells
3. Get rid of the fur
4. Blood stains, excrement
5. An unpleasant odor described as sickly sweet raspberries or musty shoe odor
6. Bite marks on the body
Observation
Bed bug monitoring tools make it easy to observe pest activity. By observing pest activity, you can determine the source and extent of an infestation.
This information allows you to select and apply a variety of treatments to eliminate an infestation. Treatment depends on the structure and location of the harborage site.
Post-treatment evaluation
Evaluation and monitoring procedures are secondary information-gathering techniques. After each treatment it is best to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.
The objective of the evaluation stage is to determine:
1. If you achieved the objective
2. Whether the strategies achieved the desired effects
3. Whether the pests were managed properly
4. Whether the control methods were satisfactory
5. If the program needs any improvement
Follow-up procedures
Bed bug control is not easy, especially in an established infestation, hence the need for follow-up inspections, observations, and treatments until the pests are completely eliminated.
Bed bugs are difficult pests to control. The information gathering techniques described above are designed to generate knowledge about the pest. The knowledge you build allows you to eliminate an infestation using preventative controls, chemical and non-chemical treatments.