CONSUMER ALERT: EPA Advises Care When Selecting Pesticides for Bedbug Control (HQ)
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) wants to alert consumers that there has been an
increase of individuals or companies who offer to control bedbugs
with unrealistic promises of effectiveness or low cost. Because bed
bug infestations are so difficult to control, there have been
situations where pesticides that are not intended for indoor
residential applications have been improperly used or applied at
greater rates than the label allows. While controlling bedbugs is
challenging, consumers should never use, or allow anyone else to
use, a pesticide indoors that is intended for outdoor use, as
indicated on the label. Using the wrong pesticide or using it
incorrectly to treat for bedbugs can make you, your family, and
your pets sick. It can also make your home unsafe to live in
– and may not solve the bedbug problem.
Bedbugs can cause itchy bites on people
and pets. Unlike most public-health pests, however, bed bugs are
not known to transmit or spread diseases. Pesticides are only one
tool to use in getting rid of bedbugs. A comprehensive approach
that includes prevention and non-chemical treatment of infestations
is the best way to avoid or eliminate a bedbug problem. While more
information can be found on EPA’s website, a few examples of
non-chemical methods of control include:
• Removing clutter where bedbugs
can hide
• Using mattress covers designed
to contain bedbugs
• Sealing cracks and
crevices
• Vacuuming rugs, and upholstered
furniture thoroughly and frequently, as well as vacuuming under
beds (take the vacuum bag outside immediately and dispose in a
sealed trash bag)
• Washing and drying clothing and
bed sheets at high temperatures (heat can kill
bedbugs)
• Placing clean clothes in
sealable plastic bags when possible
• Being alert and monitoring for
bedbugs so they can be treated before a major infestation
occurs
This comprehensive method of pest
control is called integrated pest management and includes a number
of common sense control methods.
If you need to use pesticides, follow
these tips to ensure your safety and that the product
works:
• Before using any pesticide
product, READ THE LABEL FIRST, then follow the directions for
use
• Check the product label to make
sure it is identified for use on bedbugs. If bedbugs are not listed
on the label, the pesticide has not been tested for bedbugs and it
may not be effective
• Any pesticide product label
without an EPA registration number has not been reviewed by EPA to
determine how well the product works
• Make sure that the pesticide has
been approved for indoor use
EPA is involved in a number of
activities to assist in managing the bedbug problem. EPA hosted a
bedbug summit in April 2009, and more recently, the agency has been
participating in an interagency task force on bedbugs that, among
other actions to date, has:
• Issued a joint statement from
CDC and EPA to highlight the public health impacts of
bedbugs,
• Identified currently registered
pesticides that may be effective against bedbugs and is working
with the Agricultural Research Service to test the pesticides for
efficacy in their labs
• Begun coordinating programs for
IPM techniques to address bedbugs
• Facilitated information exchange
between the federal agencies to promote efficient, effective use of
resources
More information on IPM, bedbugs and
how to control them: http://epa.gov/pesticides/bedbugs