How do you raise a bedbug predator? - briefly
To rear a natural enemy of bedbugs, obtain a commercial strain of predatory rove beetles (e.g., Dalotia coriaria), keep them in a ventilated container at 22‑25 °C with 70‑80 % humidity, and supply a continuous feed of live bedbugs or their eggs. Maintain the colony by discarding dead prey, adding a protein supplement, and periodically refreshing the beetle stock to sustain population health.
How do you raise a bedbug predator? - in detail
Raising a natural enemy of bed bugs requires a controlled environment, a reliable source of prey, and careful management of temperature, humidity, and diet.
Begin by selecting a species known to attack bed bugs. Commonly used predators include the rove beetle Staphylinidae (e.g., Ocypus olens), the predatory mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus, and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. Obtain a starter population from a reputable laboratory supplier or a certified breeder.
Create a rearing chamber that mimics the predator’s natural habitat. Use a transparent container with a secure lid that allows ventilation. Fill the base with a substrate appropriate for the species: fine sand or peat for mites, shredded paper or plaster for beetles, and a sterile agar medium for fungal cultures.
Maintain environmental parameters within the optimal range:
- Temperature: 22 °C – 27 °C for most beetles and mites; 25 °C – 30 °C for fungal growth.
- Relative humidity: 60 % – 80 % for mites; 70 % – 90 % for beetles; 90 % for fungal cultures.
- Light cycle: 12 h light / 12 h dark, unless the species requires constant darkness.
Provide a steady food supply. For arthropod predators, introduce live bed bugs at a ratio of 1 predator to 5 – 10 prey individuals, adjusting as the colony expands. For fungal agents, inoculate a nutrient‑rich medium and spray the spores onto the prey arena; the fungus will infect and kill the bed bugs, allowing the pathogen to propagate.
Monitor the colony daily. Remove dead prey and excess waste to prevent mold growth and disease. Replace substrate periodically to maintain hygiene. Record temperature, humidity, and population counts to detect deviations promptly.
When the colony reaches a stable size, increase production by scaling up the rearing chambers. Transfer a portion of the adult predators to new containers, ensuring each receives the same environmental conditions and prey density.
Regularly test predator efficacy by exposing a small group of bed bugs to the predators and measuring mortality over 24–48 hours. Adjust prey ratios, temperature, or humidity based on the observed results to maximize predation rates.
Maintain documentation of all procedures, environmental settings, and outcomes to support reproducibility and to facilitate regulatory compliance if the predators are intended for commercial release.