Bid Farewell to Bed Bugs: Vikane® Gas Fumigant – The Ultimate Solution for Bed Bug Infestations

Bed bugs can be found in places where you sleep, such as hotels, motels, dormitories, apartments, condos and private homes, as well as in public places, such as stores, bars, movie theaters, public transport (taxis, subways, cars) or offices. No current detection method (monitors, dogs, visual inspection) is 100% effective in locating every single bed bug in the infestation.^1-2 While bed bugs can travel over 100 feet to find a host, most bed bugs can be found within 8 feet of where people sleep. Bed bugs are attracted to body heat and the carbon dioxide from their host’s exhalations.^3-5 When not feeding on their host(s), bed bugs can be found in locations away from the host, including cracks and crevices in walls and furniture, behind wallpaper and wood paneling, or under carpeting.³ Bed bugs are nocturnal but will feed during daylight hours if hungry.^6-7

Bed bug life stages. Photo taken by: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Fumigation conducted with Vikane^® gas fumigant is a one-and-done solution to leave the bed bugs behind. Research has shown that Vikane is effective in eliminating bed bugs at 1.9x the drywood termite dosage rate.⁸ In personal vehicles and confined spaces with densely packed personal belongings — a challenging infestation for contact residual liquid pesticides — Vikane was effective at eliminating bed bugs.⁸ Vikane is proven to control bed bugs in inaccessible areas.⁸ For example, bed bug mortality of all life stages was 100% following a monitored fumigation when bed bugs were tracked for 23 days post-fumigation.⁸

To prevent immediate reinfestation after the fumigation:

1. Ensure occupants are properly prepared so they do not bring bed bugs along as they leave the structure.
2. Give an adult occupant of the residence to be fumigated a bed bug fact sheet and checklist on how to pack to leave bed bugs behind.
3. Remember that bed bugs can hitchhike in suitcases, backpacks, boxes, clothing, bedding, pet cages, and small electronic devices like tablets and cellphones.
4. Have clients pack belongings in light-colored or clear plastic bags or containers, or recommend a containerized fumigation of essential personal items that residents must take with them while vacating their residences.
   

   Mattress infested with bed bugs.

Personal items could include suitcases, backpacks, clothing, stuffed toys, blankets, pet bedding, and even personal mobility devices such as strollers and wheelchairs. To confirm sufficient dosage for control, any bed bug fumigation should be monitored; place monitoring lines in areas where bed bug activity has been confirmed to make sure that the dosage needed for control is reached.

Consider adding a clause in the fumigation contract that is specific to bed bug control. Clauses to consider could include responsibilities for reinfestation and exclusions for medical expenses, hotel expenses, and repair or replacement of items due to bed bug infestation or reinfestation. If you have questions about contract clauses for bed bug control, consult with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or your state pest management association for further guidance.

If you have questions about fumigating for bed bugs, contact your local Douglas Products representative for more information, and see Vikanefumigant.com.

¹Wang, C. et al. 2011. Effectiveness of bed bug monitors for detecting and trapping bed bugs in apartments. J Econ Entomol. 104: 274–278.

²Cooper, R., C. Wang, and N. Singh. 2014. Accuracy of trained canines for detecting bed bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). J Econ Entomol. 107: 2171–2181.

³Krueger, L. 2000. Don’t get bitten by the resurgence of bed bugs. Pest Control. 68: 58–64.

⁴Cooper, R., C. Wang, and N. Singh. 2015. Mark-release-recapture reveals extensive movement of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) within and between apartments. PLoS One. 10: e0136462.

⁵Miller, D. M., A. Polanco, and J. Rogers. 2013. Bed bug biology and behavior. Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia State University.

⁶Usinger, R. L. 1966. Monograph of Cimicidae (Hemiptera–Heteroptera). Entomological Society of America, College Park, Maryland.

⁷Harlan, H. J. 2006. Bed bugs 101: the basics of Cimex lectularius. Am Entomol. 52: 99–101.

⁸Phillips, T. W. et al. 2014. Fumigation of bed bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae): effective application rates for sulfuryl fluoride. J Econ Entomol. 107: 1582–1589.

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Vikane is a federally Restricted Use Pesticide. Always read and follow label directions. These materials have been created specifically for Vikane and no other fumigant. These materials may not be copied, whole or in part, or reproduced without the permission of Douglas Products.

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