Eonomical Heat Treatment for Bedbugs Philip G Koehler

Eonomical Heat Treatment for Bedbugs Philip G. Koehler, Roberto Pereira, and Margie Pfiester Urban Entomology Building 352 -392 -2484 pgk@ufl. edu

Thermal Death Point for Bed Bugs • 111 -113 degrees Fahrenheit • 44 -45 degrees Celsius

Killing Bed Bugs Bed bugs at least 113 F

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

Commercial Heat Treatment

Bed Bug Whole Room Heat Treatment

Effect of High Temperatures on Bed Bugs • Expose bed bugs to high temperatures in a water bath – 2 bugs per tube – Temperatures of 103120 F – Exposures of 0. 5 -240 min • Record bed bug mortality – 1 min later – 24 h later

How long does it take to kill bed bugs with heat? 117 o. F 113 o. F 109 o. F 106 o. F 120 o. F 1 min 2 min 4 min 25 min Minutes to 100% Mortality 100 min

Thermal Death Time Curve Rise in Temperature of 7 degrees F decreases time to kill by 10 times

Summary of Lab Studies • Temperatures above 106 F kill bed bugs • An increase of 7 F reduces time to kill by 10 times – >100 min at 106 F – 10 min at 113 F – 1 min at 120 F • Heat is the “Achilles heel” for bed bugs

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

First attempt at heat treatment Polyethylene 6 mil poly sheeting 2 space heaters

First attempt at heat treatment Polyethylene • Too much heat loss with Polyethylene sheeting 106. 3 F 105. 6 F Started: 9 AM Ended: 4 PM F F 69. 8 82. 2 100. 2 F 106. 7

Second attempt at heat treatment Poly sheeting covered with blankets 4 heaters and fans

Second attempt at heat treatment Blankets 108. 7 F 111. 2 F Started: 9: 30 AM Ended: 3: 07 PM F F 69. 8 75. 4 82. 2 84. 9 100. 2 125. 2 F 106. 7 131

Second attempt at heat treatment Blankets

Third Attempt at Heat Treatment Styrofoam Heat Chamber Carpeted floor

Third Attempt at Heat Treatment Styrofoam Heat Chamber Under pillow Under mattress 113. 4 F 141 F Started: 9: 00 AM Ended: 11: 20 PM F F 73. 2 69. 8 80. 1 82. 2 112 100. 2 F 141. 4 106. 7

Fourth Attempt at Heat Treatment Styrofoam Heat Chamber Fans/Heaters poorly placed Tile floor F F 69. 8 79. 8 82. 2 100. 5 F 106. 7 131. 7

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

6 polystyrene sheets Equipment for Heat Treatment 2 heaters 2 box fans 1 oscillating fan Extension cords and power strip

Insulation for Floors: Tile/Terrazo/Concrete Interlocking foam play pads Carpet remnants

Temperature Monitoring Thermometers Data Loggers

Equipment • 2 Space heaters – $99. 90

Equipment • 6 Polystyrene sheets (4 by 8 ft) – $137. 76

Equipment • 2 Box fans – $27. 34

Equipment • 1 Oscillating fan – $29. 95

Equipment • 2 Thermometers – $17. 94

Equipment Costs $312. 89 • • 2 Space heaters 6 Polystyrene sheets 2 Box fans 1 Oscillating fan 2 Thermometers 2 Extension cords; power strip Duct or packing tape

Set-up of heat chamber for bed bug control Foam insulation Heater Fan Bed Fan Heater Foam insulation

Power Considerations One circuit for each fan and heater • Heater – Draws ~12 amps • Fan – Draws ~3 amps • Total – ~15 amps 20 amp circuit breakers

Residual Insecticide Application to Room Perimeter

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