Journal of Economic Entomology (2006) 99, 2132-2135

Stephen L. Doggett, Merilyn J. Geary and Richard C. Russell (2006)
Encasing mattresses in black plastic will not provide thermal control of bed bugs, Cimex spp. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)
Journal of Economic Entomology 99 (6), 2132-2135
Abstract: The suggestion that bed bug (Cimex spp.; Hemiptera: Cimicidae)-infested mattresses wrapped in black plastic and exposed to sunlight will be heated sufficiently to kill the bed bugs was tested. Two types of mattresses were tested: a thin mattress of solid foam rubber and a thick multilayered inner spring mattress. Temperature probes were placed on both upper and lower sides of the mattresses, which were wrapped in black plastic and placed outside on a summer day for >9 h wherein the ambient temperature peaked at 36.5°C. The maximum recorded temperature on the upper (sun-exposed) sides was 85°C for both mattresses, whereas lower side temperatures for the thick mattress never exceeded 35°C, and some areas of the thin mattress failed to exceed 36.5°C. Therefore, with published thermal death points of 40-45°C depending on exposure time, and opportunities for bed bugs to avoid lethal temperatures by retreating from hot zones, this technique seems to be not suitable for bed bug management.
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Database assignments for author(s): Richard C. Russell

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