New Pest Control Spray
Penn State entomologists have discovered a breakthrough in the war on bed bugs. While developing a bio-pesticide for houseflies and locusts, researchers found that the product effectively kills bed bugs, according to Pest Control Technology.
If approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, the pesticide will be registered for use only by licensed pesticide distributors. A non-toxic alternative to chemicals, the bio-pesticide should be a valuable tool for professional bed bug exterminators.
Fungi Attack!
The bio-pesticide uses fungi to cause a fatal disease in insects. Project leader Nina Jenkins said bed bugs exposed to the fungal pesticide died in 6 days. In comparison, treated mosquitoes and grasshoppers died in 7 to 10 days.
The new pesticide solves two problems that make bed bugs difficult to exterminate: their protective outer cuticle and their ability to hide and avoid chemical pesticides.
- Fungi spores are able to penetrate bed bugs’ tough protective outer cuticle and attack the insects’ bodies in a single dose.
- The fungal spray remains active for up to 3 months. Spores will continue to infect and kill bed bugs that were hiding in cracks and crevices or wall voids and can be carried back to infect hidden populations.
Heritage Pest Control’s exacting bed bug treatment methods have been remarkably effective in eliminating bed bugs; but we’ll be watching for this promising new product to reach the market.
