This is a very common question. Often specific products are mentioned in a news article or on the Internet. The fact is that there are many different products available and it is virtually impossible to have information on all of the products that are currently available. One thing that we do know is that many of the pesticides that we have available to us are largely effective as a contact spray and have little to no residual effect on bed bugs. Therefore, regardless of what pesticide you are using, when treating for bed bugs you should view that pesticide as a contact spray and expect it to not have much of a residual effect. Another area that is hotly debated is whether or not fogging applications are advisable. Many companies fog structures as part of their management effort. Other companies argue that fogging is not advisable, as it will cause the bed bugs to disperse throughout the structure and drive them deeper into their harborages. Again, comments one way or the other are purely speculation as no scientific data exist to demonstrate exactly what the effect of a fogging application is on a population of bed bugs.
Despite the fact that no data exist on this subject, the position that is most likely to be correct is the one that argues against fogging for bed bugs. The reason that this is the case is that Pyrethrum (the chemical that is typically used to fog) is known for its ability to flush or displace insects from their harborages. For this reason it seems likely that the same may be true for bed bugs as well. In addition, the pesticide fog will not effectively penetrate into the tiny cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide. Rather than debating which product is most effective, greater attention should be placed on the ability of the pest management professional that is implementing the control program. The quality of the bed bug management effort and the level of consumer cooperation will ultimately determine the level of control that will be achieved. Another concern that arises in association with the use of chemical application is the potential for resistance to the insecticides being applied.
In recent years several different researchers have found high levels of resistance in bed bugs to synthetic pyrethroids (a class of pesticides that makes up a large portion of the pesticides we have available to us today). These findings suggest that the best bed bug control plan may be to not rely on pesticides alone and always incorporate non-chemical control measures into your efforts. Chemical methods are not the only way to control bed bug infestations. In fact some non-chemical measures are among the most effective in reducing bed bug populations. Vacuums play a major role in bed bug management efforts. Vacuums are used to physically remove as many bed bugs from the mattress, box spring, bed frame, head board, furniture etc. While vacuums are extremely effective, care must be taken to dispose of the contents of the vacuum immediately after use. Bed bugs can live quite happily inside even the dirtiest of vacuums. Vacuum bags should be placed into trash bags, tied shut, and disposed of outside of the home.
Bagless vacuums should have the contents of the canister disposed of and the canister washed. Steam is another very effective tool in bed bug management and can be implemented very effectively in a variety of situations to include mattresses and box springs. High quality mattress and box spring encasements are also very effective and serve two purposes: a properly fitting encasement can be very effective at sealing in any bugs that may have escaped all of the other management efforts as well as protecting the mattress and box spring from becoming re-infested. Bugs trapped inside the encasement will eventually die from starvation and bugs on the outside of the encasement can easily be removed with mechanical methods such as vacuums. It is critical to use high quality encasements that have been specifically designed and tested for use against bed bugs. When purchasing mattress encasements, it is important that the encasements are both bed bug "bite proof" and "escape proof". It is important that encasements are installed correctly so that they are sealed completely, preventing the escape or entry of bugs.
If the encasements become ripped or torn they must be replaced. Once installed, the encasements should not be opened or removed in order to insure that any bugs inside do not escape and are eventually starved. Remember, bed bugs can easily survive several months or more without food and in some cases have been observed surviving over a year without a blood meal. (See also - Mattress and Box Spring Encasements)Click the 'Play' Button (if you dare) to see a time-lapse video of the Blood-Sucking Bed Bug feasting on it's Human victim... Research Video Courtesy of the University of Kentucky. Copyright (c) University of Kentucky - Used by Permission. "I was living out the scene of some Sci-Fi thriller where bugs would feast on my flesh in the night. Then the Manhattan newspapers came out with an article claiming that the city was at an all time high infestation of bed bugs, affecting people in all income brackets and even residing in high-end hotels..." -Click here to read more Kleen Green product testimonials.
Bed bugs have invaded homes even five star hotels with a vengeance and at lightning speed. These grisly little nocturnal bugs only come out at night searching for a blood meal. Their residence is our beds and bedrooms. These creepy crawling night stalkers feast and feed by sucking human blood. They pierce the skin with their elongated beak -like a hypodermic needle. Bed bugs inject their victims with their saliva, which contains a numbing agent, like Novocain. They drink until they become engorged with a person's blood - crawling away satisfied - until the next night. The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius Linnaeus): They "glue" their eggs in the hiding places. The nymphs hatch in about ten days and molt five times, taking a blood meal between each molt. The life cycle from egg to adult varies between 36 and 120 days. This life span depends on conditions as nymphs can survive long periods of starvation - up to a year! Why and How Kleen Green™ Works Insects are made up of a high concentration of protein.
When Kleen Green is introduced to the insect, the enzymes act and can cause the insect to molt (shed its outer coating) prematurely. Poison pesticides attack the nervous system of the insect, which is not always effective. University research has noted that some insects have developed a resistance to poison based products. This revolutionary product is now available to the general consumer. Preformed enzymes have been used widely in restaurant and institutional settings for the last ten years, due to their low toxicity and superior cleaning properties. They are also becoming widely accepted in the field of pest cleaning as enzymes leave no toxic residues and the enzymatic effect on the insect exoskeleton is quick and safe. SAFE for Gardens, Plants, Ponds and around children and pets! A Natural Alternative to Toxic Products Does Not Produce Toxic Fumes More Effective and Safer than Pesticides! Kleen Green: Non-Toxic, Pesticide Free Spray Super Concentrated - Pesticide Free
8 oz makes 2 quarts 16oz makes 4 quarts 32oz makes 8 quarts 64 oz makes 16 quarts 128oz makes 32 quarts Also available in 5 gallons THE MOST SUPERIOR NON-TOXIC REMEDY ON THE MARKET TODAY INGREDIENTS: Active ingredients: A specially formulated broad spectrum of NATURAL enzymes (protease, amylase, cellulose, lipase) derived from innocuous yeast strains. FDA good grade ingredients. GRAS (FDA Generally Regarded As Safe) List Parts 184 and 186. This product is not a pesticide. How to use Kleen Green™ Enzymes Heavily used hiding places are evident by black or brown spots of dried blood excrement on the surfaces where the bugs rest, like your bed. Eggs, egg shells, and cast skins may be found near these places. Usually there is an offensive sickly sweet odor where bedbugs are numerous. Most bug problems are not detected until someone has been bitten. A bed bug infestation can be recognized by blood stains from crushed bugs or by blood (sometimes dark) spots of their droppings on sheets and mattresses, bed clothes, and walls.
Fecal spots, eggshells, and shed skins may be found in the vicinity of their hiding places. An offensive, sickly sweet, musty odor from their scent glands may be noticeable with severe bed bug infestations. All Natural Ginesis products are safe and non-toxic when used as directed. Natural Ginesis is not a substitute for medical advice. The operators of this website and those who provide information for this site do not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical advice or services through this website. You should not rely on this information to determine a diagnosis or course of treatment, nor should it be considered a replacement for consultation with a physician or other certified healthcare provider. Natural Ginesis and its distributors do not make representations or warranties with respect to any information offered or provided on or through any company web sites regarding treatment, action or application of product. Neither Natural Ginesis nor any of its divisions or contributors shall have any liability for the content, errors or omissions in the information provided by this web site.