A new study of field populations of several common bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) found that certain populations are less sensitive to two commonly used insecticides.
Pest control professionals are wise to fight the continued epidemic of bed bugs because they have adopted a comprehensive set of measures to reduce their reliance on chemical control, because new research shows that bed bugs are resistant to two commonly used insecticides. Early signs.
In a study published this week in the Journal of Economic Entomology, researchers at Purdue University found that out of 10 bed bug populations collected in the field, 3 populations were sensitive to chlorpheniramine. The sensitivity of 5 populations to bifenthrin also decreased.
The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) has shown significant resistance to deltamethrin and other pyrethroid insecticides, which is believed to be the main reason for its resurgence as an urban pest. In fact, according to the 2015 Pest without Borders Survey conducted by the National Association for Pest Management and the University of Kentucky, 68% of pest management professionals consider bed bugs to be the most difficult pest to control. However, no studies have been conducted to investigate potential resistance to bifenthrin (also pyrethroids) or clofenazep (an pyrrole insecticide), which prompted Purdue University researchers to investigate.
“In the past, bed bugs have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to develop resistance to products that are overly dependent on their control. The findings of this study also show that bed bugs have similar trends in the development of resistance to clofenazep and bifenthrin.” These findings and from the perspective of insecticide resistance management, bifenthrin and chlorpheniramine should be used in combination with other methods for eliminating bed bugs to maintain their efficacy for a long time. ”
They tested 10 bed bug populations collected and contributed by pest management professionals and university researchers in Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington DC, and measured the bed bugs killed by these bugs within 7 days of exposure. percentage. Insecticides. Generally, based on statistical analysis performed, compared with susceptible laboratory populations, populations of bugs with a survival rate of more than 25% are considered to be less susceptible to pesticides.
Interestingly, the researchers found a correlation between clofenazide and bifenthrin susceptibility between bed bug populations, which was unexpected because the two insecticides act in different ways. Gundalka said that further research is needed to understand why the less susceptible bed bugs can withstand exposure to these insecticides, especially clofenac. In any case, compliance with integrated pest control practices will slow the further development of resistance.