Bed Bugs: - Dr. Curt Colwell, IDPH - ASPCRO

Prepared by CURT COLWELL, PhD
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Environmental Health
525 W. Jefferson, Springfield, IL 62761
CURT.COLWELL@ILLINOIS.GOV

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100
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PEST and BED BUG INQUIRIES, IDPH, 2008-12
8 9 101112 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112 1 2 3 4 5 6
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

What’s wrong with this picture?
Lyn Garling, Penn State Univ.

The “Fog of War” on Bed Bugs
JR claimed a misapplication in his apartment
after a bed bug treatment.
JR said his 8-yr.old daughter’s room had a recurring
infestation. Told landlord, who hired pest control.
PMP told JR to leave apt. for 4 hrs., JR returned to find
“everything” covered in smelly, oily residue,
and 3 empty cans of “Viper Total-Release Fogger”
(pyrethrins + PBO).
JR’s wife felt ill, fell down. Was ambulanced to
hospital and diagnosed with “chemical exposure.”
JR calls PMP who tells him to use air freshener.

The “Fog of War” on Bed Bugs
IDPH Inspector finds oily residue. Bedroom is
950 cu.ft., Viper label: 1 can treats 6000 cu.ft.
Service ticket shows 3 cans of Viper used, along with
“2 ½ gals. of bed bug spray” later determined to
be “Hot Shot Bedbug and Flea Home Insect Killer”
(Permethrin); PMP says he meant “quarts” not
“gallons.”
IDPH pursuing a fine and license revocation for
pesticide misuse and not reporting an incident
of potential harm to human.

Found 111 illness incidents from pesticide
applications for bed bugs: All “low” or
“moderate” severity, except 1 fatality
Pyrethroids or pyrethrins in almost all cases
39% were applications by occupants
Most common reasons for illness:
over- application and treated bedding

Fatality: 65-yr. woman complained of bed bugs
Husband applied bifenthrin to baseboards,
around bed, mattress, box springs,
AND set off 9 “Hot-Shot” foggers
(cypermethrin + tetramethin)
2 days later… he treated mattress again,
while woman used a “Hot-Shot Bed Bug &
Flea” fogger on her arms, sores on chest,
hair, and covered with shower cap
2-days later… husband found her unconscious

What role can state regulatory
agencies play in preventing the
general public from misusing
bed bug pesticides?

Bed Bug Legislation?
Graham Snodgrass, US Army Public Health Command

What’s IDPH doing?
Responding to increasing numbers of
bed bug inquiries and complaints
Bed bug fact sheets posted on IDPH Website
Presenting seminars on bed bugs
Advisory Council bed bug report sent to
Legislature
Working with legislators and non-profit
group to write a “bed bug bill” based on
Advisory Council’s bed bug report

Structural Pest Control Advisory Council’s
Subcommittee on Bed Bugs
8 Members representing pest industry,
public health, AG’s Office,
non-profit, housing authority,
tenant and landlord organizations
Conducted 6 open meetings in 2010-11
Composed report for Legislature,
sent to Legislators in February 2012

Subcommittee on Bed Bugs:
Recommendations
Improve public awareness
Enable local health departments
to respond to bed bug complaints
Amend “Illinois Safe & Hygienic Bed Act”
Improve bed bug control, especially in
multi-unit dwellings
Fund all of the above $$$$$$$$$$$$

Improve Public Awareness
Expand IDPH’s role:
Train staff of local health depts.,
municipalities, health facilities,
schools, etc.) on bed bugs
Expand role of local health departments
to inspect hotels, apt. buildings,
do bed bug training seminars

Enable Local Health Departments
to Respond to Complaints
At present, many Illinois municipalities
do not exercise their authority to
investigate bed bug complaints in
hotels, apt. buildings, businesses, etc.
Fund, train, and empower local health
dept. staff to help resolve bed bug
issues in hotels, apartments, etc.

Amend Illinois Safe & Hygienic Bed Act
THE ACT:
Bedding must be labeled new/used
Bedding distributors must register with IDPH
Can’t sell or ship infested items
THE AMENDMENT:
Include used-furniture dealers and renters
Require consumers to be informed of risk
Require proper disposal of infested items
Fund and enforce the Act

Improve Bed Bug Control in
Multi-Unit Dwellings
Improve landlord-tenant cooperation by
defining their responsibilities
Landlords responsible for providing
and coordinating BB control
Tenants must report BB to landlords,
prepare and allow access to units
Tenants get pamphlet and bed bug
history upon leasing/renewal