The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a chilling report yesterday (Sept 22, 2011). The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report concerns illnesses and fatalities associated with using insecticides to control bed bugs.
Bed bug infestations have increased, and there are many theories why. Contributing factors may include more travel and resistance to commonly used pesticides. As a result, the bed bug cure (insecticide) is becoming a real problem.
The Center studied data from 7 states participating in the Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR) pesticides program during the time period 2003 to 2010. A total of 111 illnesses associated with bed bug pesticides were identified.
While 81% were of low severity, there was one fatality. Most of the cases were associated with the use of pyrethroids and pyrethrins. Only 12% of the cases were considered work-related (either pest control operators or hotel workers who entered recently treated rooms) but interestingly included two emergency medical technicians who responded to a treated scene.
The remainder fell mainly in the categories of people who applied too much insecticide, didn’t wash treated bedding, or failed to notify others of the pesticide application. The bed bug cure probably caused more of a problem than the bed bug itself. Bed bugs won’t kill you; insecticide will.
People are making themselves and others sick by trying to kill bed bugs. Getting rid of bed bugs does no good if you aren’t going to live to enjoy a bug-free room.
An editorial note to the report reminds the reader that the CDC and Environmental Protection Agency promote integrated pest management strategies for bed bug control. Their non-chemical methods include encasing mattresses and box springs with bed bug-proof covers, vacuuming, steaming, laundering, and even disposing of infested items.
We agree! We have provided bed bug-proof covers for many years. As the problem has grown, we added the Vapamore Steam Cleaner with 17 tools so our customers can do the CDC-recommended steaming in ALL nooks, crannies, and crevices of their infested areas.
We don’t recommend spraying insecticides on your beds and bedding when there are chemical-free ways to treat the problem. Don’t be a statistic, be safe! Don’t let your bed bug cure be more of a problem than the bed bug
The Allergy Store