Pest management professionals (PMPs) question the impact of over-the-counter insecticides applied by homeowners before calling in a professional.
A recent study from Penn State, Kentucky and Hawaii universities examined the impact of dried residues of common pesticides. Residue from Crossfire and Temprid SC does not affect the effectiveness of Aprehend, but Alpine PT, Bedlam Plus and Specter 2 SC can reduce it on wood surfaces, possibly requiring a second application after 30 days.
The good news
Even applied to fresh residue, Aprehend remains effective. Tests showed 100% mortality of bedbugs after a week’s exposure, even with chemical residue. On fabric, effectiveness remains high even 7 weeks after application. On wood, Alpine PT, Bedlam Plus and Specter 2 SC reduce long-term effectiveness.
Study details
The pesticides were applied to fabric and painted wood surfaces, then Aprehend was applied after drying. The surfaces were stored for a week, and the bedbugs were exposed for 15 minutes. Mortality was monitored for 14 days.
The results
The data in the charts below shows us four things:
- the effectiveness of Aprehend® compared to a range of commonly used chemicals
- the impact of the application of Aprehend® on the dried residues of these chemicals
- the impact of surface, type (wood or fabric) on efficiency
- residual effectiveness of these chemicals 7 weeks after application
Fabric surfaces
Comparative effectiveness of Aprehend
When applied to fabric surfaces, Crossfire, Temprid, and Aprehend alone all result in 100% bed bug mortality when bed bugs are exposed one week after pesticide application.
When bed bugs were exposed to the same fabric surfaces 7 weeks after the first spray application, only Temprid SC resulted in 100% mortality, although Crossfire and Aprehend both resulted in 97% mortality. All other isolated pesticides caused mortality below 60%.
Impact of previously applied chemicals on the effectiveness of Aprehend
All treatments where Aprehend® was applied to chemical residues resulted in 100% mortality 1 week and 7 weeks after application. The only exception was the application of Aprehend on EcoRaider, which resulted in 87% mortality, which is not significantly different from other treatments. This indicates that there is no impact of chemical residues on the effectiveness of Aprehend on fabric surfaces.
Residual effectiveness of treatments over 7 weeks
The residual effectiveness of Crossfire, Temprid and Aprehend remained between 97 and 100% seven weeks after spray application. The effectiveness of all other chemical residues was reduced 7 weeks after application. Mortality following exposure to Bedlam Plus and EcoRaider was not different from that of untreated controls.
Painted wooden surfaces
Comparative effectiveness of Aprehend
Efficacy on wood surfaces was significantly lower than that observed on fabric surfaces for all pesticides except Temprid SC. Aprehend’s effectiveness was reduced from 100% one week after application to 83%, and all other individual pesticides resulted in less than 40% mortality.
Seven weeks after application, mortality of bed bugs exposed to surfaces treated with Temprid SC and Aprehend was 87 and 76%, respectively. Mortality following exposure to Crossfire was reduced to 57%, or less than 30% for Alpine PT, Bedlam Plus and Specter 2 SC.
Impact of previously applied chemicals on the effectiveness of Aprehend
Bed bug mortality after exposure to Aprehend plus chemical residues was equal to exposure to Aprehend alone one week after application. However, bed bugs exposed to these surfaces 7 weeks after application showed lower mortality than treatment with Aprehend alone. This indicates that there may be some reduction in the effectiveness of Aprehend if it is applied to painted wood that has been previously sprayed with Alpine PT, Bedlam Plus and Specter 2 SC.
Residual effectiveness of treatments over 7 weeks
Seven weeks after application, mortality of bed bugs exposed to surfaces treated with Temprid SC and Aprehend was 87 and 76%, respectively. Mortality following exposure to Crossfire was reduced to 57%, or less than 30% for Alpine PT, Bedlam Plus and Specter 2 SC.
Conclusion: call a professional when using Apprehend to eliminate bedbugs
At Solution Cimex, we effectively support you in eliminating bedbugs. Our certified and manufacturer-recommended technicians are specially trained to apply the Aprehend product. As a member of the Association Québécoise de la Gestion Parasitaire (AQGP) and a supplier recommended by the Association des Propriétaires du Québec (APQ), we guarantee professional service and lasting results.