Eonomical Heat Treatment for

BedbugsPhilip G. Koehler, Roberto Pereira, and Margie Pfiester

Urban Entomology Building352-392-2484pgk@ufl.edu

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Thermal Death Point for Bed Bugs

• 111-113 degrees Fahrenheit

• 44-45 degrees Celsius

Killing Bed BugsBed 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 103-120F– 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?

106oF

100 min

109oF

25 min

113oF

4 min

117oF

2 min

120oF

1 min

Minutes to 100% Mortality

Rise in Temperature of 7 degrees F decreases time to kill by10 times

Thermal Death Time Curve

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

6 mil poly sheeting

Space heater

Oscillating fan

2 heaters

First attempt at heat treatment

Polyethylene

6 mil poly sheeting

2 space heaters

First attempt at heat treatmentPolyethylene

• Too much heat loss with Polyethylene sheeting

105.6 F

106.3 F

Started: 9 AMEnded: 4 PM

69.8 82.2 100.2 106.7

F

FF

Second attempt at heat treatment

Poly sheeting covered with blankets

4 heaters and fans

Second attempt at heat treatmentBlankets

111.2 F

108.7 F

Started: 9:30 AMEnded: 3:07 PM

69.8 82.2 100.2 106.7

F

FF

75.4 84.9 125.2 131

Second attempt at heat treatmentBlankets

Third Attempt at Heat TreatmentStyrofoam Heat Chamber

Carpeted floor

Third Attempt at Heat TreatmentStyrofoam Heat Chamber

Under mattress113.4 F

141 F

Started: 9:00 AMEnded: 11:20 PM

Under pillow

69.8 82.2 100.2 106.7

F

FF

73.2 80.1 112 141.4

Fourth Attempt at Heat TreatmentStyrofoam Heat Chamber

Tile floor

Fans/Heaters poorly placed

F

FF

69.8 82.2 100.2 106.779.8 100.5 131.7

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

Equipment for Heat

Treatment6 polystyrene sheets

2 box fans2 heaters

Extension cordsand power strip

1 oscillating fan

Insulation for Floors: Tile/Terrazo/Concrete

Carpet remnants

Interlocking foam play pads

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

Bed

Foam insulation

Foam insulation

Fan

Fan

Heater

Heater

Power ConsiderationsOne 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

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