How are bedbugs poisoned? - briefly
Bedbugs are killed by applying insecticidal formulations that contain pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, or silica‑based desiccant dusts, which disrupt their nervous system or induce dehydration. Professional interventions may also use high‑temperature heat or vaporized gases to achieve total mortality.
How are bedbugs poisoned? - in detail
Bedbugs are eliminated primarily through chemical agents that interfere with their nervous system, disrupt water balance, or cause physical damage to their exoskeleton.
Contact insecticides, such as pyrethroids (e.g., permethrin, bifenthrin) and pyrethrins, bind to voltage‑gated sodium channels, prolonging nerve impulse transmission and resulting in paralysis and death. Resistance to these compounds has driven the use of alternative classes. Neonicotinoids (e.g., imidacloprid, acetamiprid) act as agonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, causing overstimulation of the nervous system. Organophosphates and carbamates inhibit acetylcholinesterase, leading to accumulation of acetylcholine and continuous nerve firing.
Desiccant powders, including diatomaceous earth and silica gel, absorb lipids from the cuticle, increasing transpiration and causing dehydration. These agents are applied as dusts in cracks, crevices, and under furniture where bedbugs hide.
Ingested toxins are delivered through bait formulations that contain attractants (blood‑mimicking odors) combined with toxicants such as boric acid or insect growth regulators (IGRs). IGRs (e.g., hydroprene, methoprene) disrupt molting, preventing development to reproductive adults.
Fumigants and aerosolized products (e.g., dichlorvos, chlorfenapyr) penetrate hidden refuges. Chlorfenapyr uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, halting ATP production and leading to cellular energy failure.
Application methods vary:
- Residual sprays: applied to baseboards, mattress seams, and furniture legs; provide long‑lasting surface toxicity.
- Dusts: introduced into voids; remain effective for months if undisturbed.
- Foggers: disperse fine particles for rapid coverage; limited penetration into deep cracks.
- Heat treatment: raises ambient temperature to 50 °C–55 °C for 30–90 minutes, denaturing proteins and causing mortality without chemicals.
- Cold exposure: sustained temperatures below –17 °C for several days can be lethal, though practical implementation is difficult.
Effective control often combines multiple modalities to address behavioral refuges and resistance. Proper dosage, thorough coverage, and adherence to safety guidelines are essential to achieve reliable eradication.