Eonomical Heat Treatment for Bedbugs

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Eonomical Heat Treatment for Bedbugs

• Philip G. Koehler, Roberto Pereira, and Margie
  Pfiester
• Urban Entomology Building
• 352-392-2484
• pgk_at_ufl.edu

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Thermal Death Point for Bed Bugs

• 111-113 degrees Fahrenheit
• 44-45 degrees Celsius

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Killing Bed BugsBed bugs at least 113 F
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Commercial Heat Treatment

• Heat whole room or whole structure
• Expensive equipment
• 20,000-50,000
• Lengthy procedure
• No residual effect
• Very visible

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Commercial Heat Treatment
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Bed Bug Whole Room Heat Treatment
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Effect of High Temperatures on Bed Bugs

• Expose bed bugs to high temperatures in a water
  bath
• 2 bugs per tube
• Temperatures of 103-120F
• Exposures of 0.5-240 min
• Record bed bug mortality
• 1 min later
• 24 h later

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How long does it take to kill bed bugs with heat?
Minutes to 100 Mortality
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Rise in Temperature of 7 degrees F decreases time
to kill by10 times
Thermal Death Time Curve
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Summary of Lab Studies

• Temperatures above 106 F kill bed bugs
• An increase of 7 F reduces time to kill by 10
  times
• gt100 min at 106 F
• 10 min at 113 F
• 1 min at 120 F
• Heat is the Achilles heel for bed bugs

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First attempt at heat treatment
2 heaters
Space heater
6 mil poly sheeting
Oscillating fan
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First attempt at heat treatment Polyethylene
6 mil poly sheeting
2 space heaters
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First attempt at heat treatmentPolyethylene

• Too much heat loss with Polyethylene sheeting

106.3 F
105.6 F
Started 9 AM Ended 4 PM
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Second attempt at heat treatment
Poly sheeting covered with blankets
4 heaters and fans
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Second attempt at heat treatmentBlankets
108.7 F
111.2 F
Started 930 AM Ended 307 PM
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Second attempt at heat treatmentBlankets
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Third Attempt at Heat TreatmentStyrofoam Heat
Chamber
Carpeted floor
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Third Attempt at Heat TreatmentStyrofoam Heat
Chamber
Under pillow
Under mattress
113.4 F
141 F
Started 900 AM Ended 1120 PM
73.2
80.1
112
141.4
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Fourth Attempt at Heat TreatmentStyrofoam Heat
Chamber
Fans/Heaters poorly placed
Tile floor
79.8
100.5
131.7
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Summary of Field Tests

• Space heaters can heat up to 140-150 F
• Oil-filled eliminates chance of fire
• Styrofoam heat box contains heat better than
  plastic or blankets
• 2 inch thick styrofoam
• Tile/Concrete floors need to be insulated
• Carpet padding or foam play pads
• Circulation of heat is important
• Fan heater placement at opposite corners

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Equipment for Heat Treatment
6 polystyrene sheets
2 heaters
2 box fans
1 oscillating fan
Extension cords and power strip
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Insulation for Floors Tile/Terrazo/Concrete
Interlocking foam play pads
Carpet remnants
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Temperature Monitoring
Thermometers
Data Loggers
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Equipment

• 2 Space heaters
• 99.90

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Equipment

• 6 Polystyrene sheets (4 by 8 ft)
• 137.76

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Equipment

• 2 Box fans
• 27.34

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Equipment

• 1 Oscillating fan
• 29.95

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Equipment

• 2 Thermometers
• 17.94

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Equipment Costs312.89

• 2 Space heaters
• 6 Polystyrene sheets
• 2 Box fans
• 1 Oscillating fan
• 2 Thermometers
• 2 Extension cords power strip
• Duct or packing tape

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Set-up of heat chamber for bed bug control
Foam insulation
Bed
Foam insulation
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Power ConsiderationsOne circuit for each fan and
heater

• Heater
• Draws 12 amps
• Fan
• Draws 3 amps
• Total
• 15 amps

20 amp circuit breakers
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Residual Insecticide Application to Room Perimeter
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Important Points for Heat Treatment

• Check amperage of outlets
• Plug heaters into 2 separate circuits
• Position of thermometers is important
• Place where heat will take longest to get hot
• Like cooking a turkey
• Heat containment/circulation is important
• Like a convection oven
• Floor box insulation
• Fans to create most turbulence
• Treat room with residual product

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