About a year ago I wrote a very controversial blog post about bedbugs and global warming. I admit I was “brainstorming” rather than basing my thoughts on real research. Well, I finally got to meet a REAL scientist who studies bedbugs (he’s an entomologist), and has researched them extensively. My theory was that CO2 in the atmosphere from global warming might be leading to the increase in bedbugs (bedbugs ARE attracted to CO2). I was wrong.
Yes. I was wrong.
Here is what has lead to the increase in bedbugs over the past few years: excessive use of pesticides to attempt to eradicate them! It turns out that bedbugs, like most insects, are very resilient to chemicals, and adapt quickly to become stronger and more resistant. Ongoing extensive study by Changlu Wang, PhD, extension specialist in the department of entomology at Rutgers University, has shown that employing nontoxic means of eradicating bedbugs are even more effective over the long haul than spreading toxic chemicals.
So here is my list of top 10 nontoxic ways to control bedbugs, based on Wang’s talk at the Beyond Pesticides conference in Denver, Colorado:
1: Physically remove them by vacuuming and cleaning them up manually. Even though I do yoga, I do approve of killing bugs. Stomping is acceptable.
2: REMOVE CLUTTER. Bedbugs love to snuggle in piles of clothes, newspapers, and junk. Dr. Wang showed pictures of places where it was almost impossible to get rid of the bedbugs, and it had a lot to do with piles of junk and clothes and crap lying around. The more you remove clutter, the easier it is to keep bedbugs out.
3: Launder your bedding WEEKLY. And if have a bedbug problem, make sure that you use heat in the dryer. Bedbugs hate heat.
4: Encase your pillows and mattresses. They’re easier to remove and clean on a regular basis.
5: Clean with a hot steamer. Again, bedbugs hate heat. Make sure to get around the baseboards and cracks (see number 2).
6: Put climb-up interceptors under the legs of furniture. One suggestion is to put the legs of your beds into cans of soapy water, but if that won’t fly at your house, you can try applying petroleum jelly or Tanglefoot instead.
7: Open your windows! Since bedbugs love CO2, which by the way comes out of your mouth when you breathe as you sleep (yes, with your mouth open and drool coming out), opening a window disperses the CO2 in the room and makes it a much more unappealing environment for bedbugs to linger in.
8: Use a fan. Same concept as number 7. If the bugs can’t find your pockets of CO2 because there is too much fresh air and wind, they will go to your neighbor’s house instead.
9: Make a dry ice trap with a dog dish. According to Wang, this really works! Put dry ice in a dog dish, and cover the outside of the dish with something the bugs can climb, such as a cloth or some paper. They will climb in for the CO2 and then won’t be able to get out.
10: Try diatomaceous earth. A naturally occurring pest-fighter that comes from dead algae skeletons or something like that, you can get it online and should use it carefully, but it does work. I remember my grandfather using it, and it’s still considered organic. Thanks to the stuff’s microscopically sharp edges, it’s the equivalent of putting tacks on the deck of a boat to deter pirates.
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Great post on bed bugs and the options for non-toxic control methods. Since bed bugs are a big area of focus these days, I thought it would be helpful to provide some more detailed clarifications to your points. Pesticide use is rampant by homeowners and renters, so making sure that the best and most complete information is made available is a top priority.
While pesticide resistance has contributed to the resurgence of bed bugs, increased travel, lack of awareness, and the accumulation of possessions have all likely played a role in the return of the bed bug in the U.S. While bed bugs took a bit of a hiatus in the U.S. over the past 60 years, they did not disappear from other parts of the world.
While taking out our aggression by stomping on bed bugs may be a good stress release, you may not kill the bugs. Bed bugs, especially those that haven’t fed recently, can be difficult to squish or crush, even with your fingers! Best to dispose of them by vacuuming them up and disposing of the bag properly, flushing them, etc.
Bed bugs don’t hate heat. In fact, they are attracted to us by our body heat and CO2. High heat is one of our best control tools, but only when used with precision and accuracy and at the proper temperature. Bed bugs (at all stages, including their eggs) die at temperatures greater than 113°F, with the rule of thumb being 30 minutes at 120°F. Important to note, though, the heat must penetrate the entire object to kill all bed bugs. This is easily achieved with bedding in a dryer, but can be more difficult when treating a mattress or an entire room. Professionals will often use sensors to guarantee heat penetration in those situations.
Once mattresses, box springs, or pillows are encased, the encasements should not be removed. Bed bugs can live up to a year on one blood meal. If you remove your encasement for cleaning after less than a year, you risk releasing them, leading to reinfestation. Be sure to use an encasement that is made for use against bed bugs. Regular encasements often have zippers that will allow bed bugs to slip through. Additionally, encasements should be checked regularly for rips or tears, which should be fixed immediately (duct tape works well). Also, a number of bed bug proof encasements offer guarantees of anywhere from 2 to 10 years, where they will replace encasements that are ripped or torn.
There is no evidence that using a fan or opening a window will reduce your bed bug problem. Even if the CO2 levels were reduced, bed bugs can still find us from the body heat we emit.
Lastly, diatomaceous earth (DE) can be a useful and effective tool against bed bugs, but again, only when used with precision and care. Know that DE is still hazardous to humans and domestic animals. It is a moderate eye irritant, but more importantly, you should avoid inhaling DE and use it as directed. DE is best used for cracks and crevices applications and NOT in accessible piles in your living space.
For more information, please visit Safer Pest Control Project’s website: http://www.spcpweb.org.
Great post! Natural alternatives are definitely the way to go when it comes to pest control.
Your suggestion to use DE to get rid of bed bugs is great! Food grade diatomaceous earth is an amazing product that will kill nearly any type of crawling insect.
I have used it with great success before and while it is true that you should not inhale large amounts of the product it is perfectly safe to use with and around animals.
It can be dusted in to the fur of your animal to eliminate fleas and can even be fed to your pets!
I feed my dogs 1/4 teaspoon per day and have never had a problem with worms!
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