What does the sanitary-epidemiological service use to treat bedbugs? - briefly
The health inspection authority typically uses approved insecticidal products—such as pyrethroid emulsions or aerosol foggers—combined with heat treatment or controlled fumigation with desiccant powders to eradicate bedbugs.
What does the sanitary-epidemiological service use to treat bedbugs? - in detail
The sanitary‑epidemiological authority relies on a combination of chemical, physical and procedural measures to eradicate Cimex lectularius infestations.
Chemical interventions include the application of registered insecticide formulations approved for domestic use. Common active ingredients are pyrethroids (e.g., deltamethrin, bifenthrin), neonicotinoids (e.g., imidacloprid), and insect growth regulators (e.g., hydroprene). Sprays are directed at hiding places—mattress seams, bed frames, cracks, and baseboards—while residual dusts such as silica gel, diatomaceous earth, or boric acid are introduced into voids where liquids cannot penetrate.
Physical methods consist of:
- Heat treatment: raising ambient temperature to 50 °C ± 2 °C for a minimum of 90 minutes, verified with calibrated thermometers, to achieve 100 % mortality.
- Cold treatment: exposing infested items to –18 °C for at least 72 hours when heat is impractical.
- Vacuuming: using HEPA‑filtered equipment to remove live insects and eggs from surfaces, followed by immediate disposal of collected material in sealed containers.
Procedural actions encompass:
- Inspection protocols: systematic visual surveys, use of interceptors, and canine detection where available.
- Documentation: recording infestation locations, treatment dates, and product batch numbers in a centralized registry.
- Public education: distributing guidelines on preventive measures, such as regular laundering of bedding at ≥60 °C and installation of encasements certified to block bedbugs.
- Follow‑up monitoring: scheduling post‑treatment inspections at 7‑day and 30‑day intervals to confirm eradication and detect resurgence.
Integrated pest management principles guide the selection and sequencing of these tools, aiming to minimize resistance development, ensure occupant safety, and comply with national health regulations.