Bed Bugs Can Be Controlled Without Toxic Pesticides

/PRNewswire/ -- The recent bed bug resurgence across the U.S. has homeowners and apartment dwellers taking desperate measures to eradicate these tenacious bloodsuckers, with some relying on dangerous outdoor pesticides and fly-by-night exterminators. Even pesticides registered by EPA for bed bug use are linked to acute poisoning, cancer, hormone disruption, asthma, neurotoxicity, organ damage, and more. These measures pose more dangers than any perceived short-term benefit. And while bed bugs are a serious nuisance, they are not known to transmit any diseases.

While there is no magic bullet solution to bed bug eradication, there are many ways to effectively control them without the use of dangerous chemical pesticides. To solve the bed bug problem nationwide, it is going to take a comprehensive public health campaign -public-service announcements, travel tips and perhaps even government-sponsored integrated pest management (IPM) programs for public housing and other high density areas. Bed bugs in the home can be effectively controlled through a comprehensive strategy that incorporates monitoring, sanitation, sealing, heat treatments, and more.

Below are steps that can effectively reduce and eliminate bed bug populations in homes. A complete factsheet is available at www.beyondpesticides.org/bedbugs.

-- Caulk and seal crevices. Prevent bed bugs from entering the home.
-- Eliminate clutter. Getting rid of as much clutter as possible will
help locate and eliminate infestations.
-- Vacuum. This will only remove visible bed bugs, but is important to
get rid of dead bed bugs and their frass. Use a stiff brush to
dislodge eggs in cracks and crevices and use a vacuum attachment that
does not have bristles to get into the corners. Be sure to discard the
bag immediately after vacuuming.
-- Launder Fabrics and Clothing. Wash and dry clothing for 30 minutes or
a full cycle at the hottest setting the fabric will allow. Dry
clean-only clothes can simply be put into the dryer. If the fabric is
too delicate for the hottest temperature, place it on a lower heat
setting and let it run for the full cycle.
-- Encase mattresses and box springs. Make sure the encasement has been
tested for bed bugs and will not rip and does not contain synthetic
pesticides impregnated in the material. It will eventually kill all
bed bugs inside.
-- Steam Treatment. Steam treatment will kill all stages of bedbugs. Move
the nozzle over the bed bugs at a rate of 20 seconds per linear foot,
and wrap a piece of fabric over the upholstery nozzle to reduce water
pressure to make sure bed bugs do not blow away. Many pest control
companies provide this option, but customers may have to ask for it.
-- Heat Treatment. Heat, either blown with a fan or ambient, can provide
complete control of bed bugs, if all areas of infestation reach 120
degrees F.

For more information, please visit www.beyondpesticides.org/bedbugs.

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Training can reduce overuse of pesticides

Spring rains and summertime heat have sparked insects and lawn diseases across the state. That may send some landscape lovers looking for someone to apply a few chemicals to protect their interests.
Before asking landscaping companies to apply pesticides, homeowners need to ask them if they’re properly certified, said Paul Guillebeau, an entomologist with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Companies don’t have to hold a certificate to mow lawns or trim hedges, but they do have to be certified to apply chemicals.

“Whether they’re applying ant bait or Roundup, they have to have a license so they know how to use chemicals safely,” he said. “Too much pesticide or chemicals used in the wrong place, it all could cause problems.”

Georgia law

To purchase and apply pesticides on another person’s property and collect a fee for it, the business the pesticide applicator works for needs a commercial pesticide applicator’s license, according to Georgia law.

The fee for applying pesticides without a license is up to $1,000 per violation.

Private pesticide licenses are available through county UGA Extension offices. This license is limited to farmers and allows them to apply restricted-use pesticides on their land. The key difference between a private and commercial license is that private license holders can’t apply pesticide for money.

Toxic conditions

People who are not licensed pesticide applicators don’t have access to restricted chemicals, but they do have access to many products available at home improvement stores.

“It just seems to be a real human tendency to use more instead of less,” Guillebeau said about pesticides. “And if they’re a landscape company, they probably want to make sure the homeowners don’t see any insects out there.”

Even private homeowners can go overboard. Guillebeau remembers one caller who had a bird lice problem. A nest outside his front door was home to more than just birds, and he and his family were getting bit by hungry lice.

“He ended up spraying so much pesticide that he and his wife could not stay there,” Guillebeau said, “all because he didn’t know.”

Too many chemicals can make any environment toxic.

“If they’re applying pesticides around where kids are, you do want to know they know what they’re doing,” he said.

While pesticides are designed to killharmful insects or plant diseases, they can also be bad for humans and pets.

Pesticide training

Pesticide certification exams are available at Georgia technical colleges through the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Instead of requiring each person applying pesticides to be certified, the license covers an entire business.

UGA offers training for the pesticide licensing exams through study guides and county Extension offices. Local Extension offices can provide information on exam locations.

UGA Extension also offers a training program for pesticide applicators who work for a business, but are not themselves required to have a license. The Georgia Competent Applicator of Pesticides Program, or GCAPP, is a voluntary program.

The GCAPP program is available at county Extension offices throughout the state. Participants view a PowerPoint lesson and take a 37-question test. Twenty-six correct answers results in the student being awarded a GCAPP certificate that is good for five years. They also gain knowledge that will help them apply pesticides in ways that won’t harm themselves or those around them.

“I would like for anybody using pesticides to go through the program,” Guillebeau said, “especially if they’re working at a school or a park. They may not be trying to put anybody at harm, but they may not know.”

For more information on the GCAPP program, call 706-542-9031 or e-mail Guillebeau at bugman@uga.edu.

By Stephanie Schupska
University of Georgia

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Back by (Un)Popular Demand: Wasps Thrive in Late Summer and Autumn

BUSINESS WIRE--The end of summer may mean the end of flip flops and lazy days by the pool, but it certainly does not signal the end of wasp season. In fact, at this point in the season, wasp populations are reaching their largest numbers, having had the entire summer to reproduce. With more than half a million people being sent to the emergency room every year due to wasp and other insect stings, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reminds people to take extra care, especially now, to avoid wasp stings and infestations.

“Wasps are known for their unprovoked aggression,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “In the late summer months, these pests are busy scavenging for food to prepare for the colder months ahead, and are often attracted to backyard barbeques and picnics, which increases your chances of being stung. Proper pest control is crucial to protect against their painful stings.”

NPMA recommends that homeowners inspect their properties frequently for signs of a wasp infestation. Common nesting sites include under eaves, on ceiling beams in attics, garages and sheds, and under porches. If homeowners find a nest or suspect an infestation, it is critical that they hire a pest professional. Attempting to remove a nest can be extremely dangerous, as wasp colonies can have upwards of 15,000 members.

The NPMA offers the following tips to help protect homeowners from wasp encounters:

* When outdoors, wear shoes, especially in grassy areas.
* Do not leave drinks or food in accessible areas.
* Keep windows and doors properly screened.
* Keep garbage in sealed receptacles.
* Do not swat at wasps as it increases the likelihood of an aggressive reaction.
* If stung, seek immediate medical attention as reactions can be severe.
* Call a pest professional if you find a wasp nest on your property or suspect an infestation.

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Miracle gardening products most likely aren’t

From diet pills to wrinkle cream, if a product sounds too good to be true, chances are it is. Cable television and the Internet are filled with advertisements for wonder products. With gardening being a favorite outdoor activity, many of these so-called miracle products are designed with gardeners in mind.

One example is foolproof pesticides that are supposed to eradicate everything from Japanese beetles to millipedes. And herbicides that will supposedly last for months and eradicate almost any weed.

I recently heard a radio advertisement for a product that claims to kill Japanese beetles 'year-round. Being a Master Gardener, trained by the University of Georgia, I didn’t believe this claim for a minute. Unfortunately, the average homeowner or novice gardener may.

To avoid being burned by the latest revolutionary product, gardeners should read product labels thoroughly.

And it doesn’t hurt to know a little chemistry. Become familiar with potential active ingredients such as glyphosate, bifenthrin, triclopyr, cyfluthrin, imidacloprid, trifluralin and spinosad.

When using a new gardening product, ask yourself a few questions: Are there any potential hazards? Will the product harm pets, wildlife or bees? Can it be safely applied in or near vegetable gardens or near a water source?

Before you purchase a product based on a flashy TV advertisement, do some personal homework. One good resource is the Web site www.GeorgiaTurf.com. Here consumers can find unbiased research-based recommendations.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Web site at www.epa.gov/agriculture/pesticide.html lists the different types of pesticides and their requirements.

For in-depth information on managing pests, see the UGA Pest Management Handbook online at www.ent.uga.edu/pmh/ or contact your local UGA Cooperative Extension Office at 1-800-ASK-UGA1.

Know the facts before getting drawn in by advertising claims that are likely too good to be true.

By Charlie Christian
Georgia Master Gardener

Charlie Christian is a Morgan County Master Gardener and an avid gardener.
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