Journal of Pest Science (2016) 89, 1013-1021

Yasmin Akhtar and Murray B. Isman (2016)
Efficacy of diatomaceous earth and a DE-aerosol formulation against the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius Linnaeus in the laboratory
Journal of Pest Science 89 (4), 1013-1021
Abstract: We have investigated efficacy of a diatomaceous earth (DE) and an aerosol formulation thereof for contact and residual effects against the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. Efficacy of commercially available DE dust samples varied with the product. DX13^TM and MotherEarth^® dusts were significantly more effective than other DE dusts based on their lower lethal doses to kill 50 % of the insects, LD ₅₀ values (LD ₅₀s = 0.17 and 0.18 g m^-2, respectively), in contact bioassays with adult bugs. DX13^TM-aerosol demonstrated residual effect in both plastic box and the Petri dish methods. In large plastic boxes mortality of the bed bugs due to residual effect of the aerosol was 98 % at 24 h. The residual effect of DX13™-aerosol in Petri dishes persisted for 21 days. Time to kill 50 % of the insects, LT ₅₀ value, increased from 10.2 h for freshly applied DE dust to 46.1 h for dust aged for 21 days in Petri dishes. Mortality of the bed bugs in the Petri dishes was >97 % at 72 h, not only for fresh DX13™-aerosol residue, but also for residues aged up to 14 days. Mortality was 81 % at 72 h for DX13™-aerosol residue aged for 21 days. Mortality of bed bugs confined on a DX13™-incorporated mattress was 100 % at 48 and 72 h for bugs introduced on the mattress 3 and 32 weeks after manufacture, respectively. We also observed horizontal transfer of DX13™-dust between dead bugs collected from the DX13™-incorporated mattress to untreated ones. We discuss potential use of DX13™ for the management of bed bugs.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Murray B. Isman

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cimex lectularius