Why are bed bugs so difficult to control?
Bed bugs are mobile and unpredictable, an infestation can be introduced anywhere at any time. Bed bugs are often not detected at the start of an infestation, when bed bug numbers are low. After this short period however, bed bugs have the ability for rapid and exponential population growth quickly reaching very high numbers.
In addition to the difficulty in controlling high bed bugs numbers, there is increasing insecticide resistance within global bed bug populations. With bed bugs especially a problem in hospitality, the pockets of chemical resistant bed bug populations are being moved around the world with the help of international travel. This means, even with the best insecticide application, the bed bugs may be tolerant to the chemical and its performance not what it once was.
Why are bed bug treatments such a challenge?
There are two parts to addressing why bed bug treatments can be difficult.
Firstly the environment in which the treatment is required. Bedrooms often have a lot of things in them, this provides a lot of different places for the bed bugs to hide and also a lot of area for a bed bug treatment to be applied to. When treating for bed bugs, accuracy of the application is key to its success, and contact between the insecticide and bed bug is essential. If the surface used by the bed bug is missed, there will be no contact as the bed bug moves around and therefore no bed bug control.
Secondly, the bed bugs themselves. Bed bugs are great at hiding in small, difficult to access, gaps. Direct contact from an insecticide spray can therefore be difficult. The bed bugs may also remain inactive for the period the chemical is working, and therefore not walk on surfaces treated with the insecticide.
What is InsectoSec Tape?
A unique preventative bed bug treatment. InsectoSec Tape is a novel UK-approved biocide for the control of bed bugs. An insecticide containing tape, it is applied to the underside of bed frames and headboards to attract and kill bed bugs as they move between resting locations and hosts for feeding. Used as a preventative bed bug treatment, it is applied to bed frames and furniture before bed bugs are present. It remains active for up to 12 months after application, giving long-term around the clock protection.
How to use InsectoSec Tape
InsectoSec Tape is simply applied as a barrier directly around the outer edges of a bed frame or bedroom furniture such as a headboard. Supplied in rolls of 30 meters, its paper structure means it can be easily cut to fit any size or shape bed. The self-adhesive back makes it easy to attach to any material. It is then simply left in place to do its job for up to 12 months.- Pro-active completely preventative treatment to provide protection in case of bedbug introduction
- Long term protection from re-infestation following a knock down treatment
- Combined with a knock down treatment to help manage any residual bed bugs missed by the initial treatment
How can InsectoSec Tape be used by pest controllers to manage bed bugs?
InsectoSec Tape is a preventative insecticide. Applied to beds before bed bugs are present, its long persistence means it will prevent bed bug population growth if bed bugs are introduced. InsectoSec Tape offers flexibility to be used in any bed bug control program.Advantages for clients of including InsectoSec Tape in a bed bug program:
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Cost effective, giving 12 months activity after application
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Discrete, secured to the underside of the bed frame it is un-noticeable to clients
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Offers peace of mind, actively controlling any new bed bug infestation 24 / 7 for 12 months
Advantages to pest controllers of including InsectoSec Tape in a bed bug program:
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An additional mode of protection to add to a bed bug management program
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Persistent effect improves overall performance and longevity of the bed bug control program
InsectoSec Tape offers advantages in the battle against bed bugs across different industries
Private Households
An increasing problem with bed bugs introduced into houses following returning from travel to a bed bug infested location (such as a hotel). Bed bugs can easily hitch a ride in luggage, and it doesn’t take many to start a new population. Commonly treated as a curative activity following identification of a bedbug population, InsectoSec Tape can be included in any bed bug program to follow on protection after an initial knock-down treatment.
Hotels
Bed bugs are a rapidly growing problem in the hospitality industry. A high turnover of occupants increases the risk of bed bugs being introduced to a hotel room. The financial and reputational risks to a hotel from bed bug infestation mean that all should have a proactive bed bug monitoring program. InsectoSec Tape offers long term bed bug prevention. Used either immediately following a known-down treatment or, ideally, preventatively installed before a site has a bed bug problem requiring treatment.
Cruise Liners
Similarly to hotels with a high turnover of occupants, but with the added complication of being away from resources close to hand on land. When at sea, a limited ability to call in a professional or space to move clients between rooms, InsectoSec Tape offers protection against the build up of a bed bug population during a cruise.
University Accommodation
With a high number of students in closely packed small single occupancy rooms, there is lots of potential for bed bugs to move between bedrooms to find hosts. Whilst an individual student may be able to manage the responsibility for introducing bed bugs themselves, in such densely packed accommodation bed bugs can easily move between rooms. In situations such as this, preventative treatment across an accommodation block will be more successful than reactive treatments of individual rooms thought to be infested.
Multiple Occupancy Accommodation
A high turnover of residents can lead to easy transmission of bed bugs between sites. Frequent changes in residents increases the chances of bed bugs being introduced. These setups are designed to function with a high turnover of residents in close proximity to each other. Installing InsectoSec Tape provides ongoing prevention of any bed bugs introduced developing into a larger population.