title: Desiccant dust and the use of CO2gas as a mobility stimulant for bed bugs: a potential control solution?
abstract: The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius,Hemiptera; Cimicidae) infests homes and service industries, and the number of infestations has greatly increased over the past 20 years. At present, no cost-effective control methods are available, and eradication programs are expensive and laborious. We investigated the control potential of desiccant dust in combination with CO2as a bed bug activity stimulant. An initial experiment with two desiccant dusts was followed by arena studies with varying doses, available hiding places and the presence or absence of host signals. Finally, we conducted a field experiment with Syloid 244FP with or without CO2gas. Syloid was superior compared to diatomaceous earth, and effective at the concentration of 1.0 g/m2in the field experiment. The number of harborages and partial application of desiccant dust decreased mortality in the laboratory. Bed bug activation by CO2appeared of minor importance in the arena studies, but was crucial for the eradication in the student dormitories. In fact, all 5 bed bug-infested dormitories with a combined treatment of desiccant dust and CO2were freed of bed bugs, whereas eradication was not successful in any of the 6 dormitories with only desiccant dust treatment. The different results in the laboratory and field experiment were most likely caused by the longer activation and higher dose of CO2used in the field experiment than the laboratory experiment. Our study showed that application of desiccant dust in combination with release of CO2gas to mimic human presence is a promising option for bed bug control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggata 8, 4404 Nydalen, NO-0456 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aak
authors.affiliation: Oslo Boligbygg, Wergelandsveien 3, Postboks 1192, Sentrum 0107 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Espen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roligheten
authors.affiliation: Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggata 8, 4404 Nydalen, NO-0456 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Bjørn Arne
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Rukke
authors.affiliation: Ecology and Natural Resource Management. Campus Ås, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Universitetstunet 3, NO1430-Ås Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Tone
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Birkemoe
keywords: CO2; Cimex lectularius; Desiccant dust; Mortality; Olfaction; Pest