Practical solutions for treating laundry infested with Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae).

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius (L.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) is known to become associated, from time to time, with clothing or linen. In such locations, it may escape insecticide treatment, and may be carried to new locations. We test the suggestion that laundering is sufficient to kill all life stages and thus help prevent reinfestation and dispersion. We establish minimum temperatures for washing and minimum temperatures and times for tumble-drying, as well as testing cold soaking, dry cleaning, and freezing as alternative strategies for delicate items. Data loggers were used to confirm temperature settings and monitor temperature changes during the treatments. Adult bed bugs, nymphs, and eggs were sealed into small, permeable cotton pouches, which were then placed into garments of clothing. Washing at 60 degrees C was found to be effective against all life stages, as was tumble drying on a hot cycle (>40 degrees C) for at least 30 min, dry cleaning with perchloroethylene, and freezing at -17 degrees C for at least 2 h. Using data loggers it was also shown that 2.5 kg of loosely packed, dry laundry takes approximately 8 h to reach -17 degrees C. Soaking for 24 h in detergent-free water was found to be effective against active stages but had no effect on eggs.

Evaluation of selective spraying of bendiocarb (Ficam VC) for the control of Anopheles flavirostris in the Philippines.

The effectiveness of selective and complete spray applications of bendiocarb for the control of the major malaria vector, Anopheles flavirostris, was compared in an experimental hut trial in the Philippines. Selective spraying involved treatment of the vector's preferred indoor resting sites, namely, the lower wall areas, wall areas immediately surrounding the doors and windows, and eaves. Complete spraying involved treatment of all internal wall and ceiling areas, and the eaves. At intervals over a 6-month period, mosquitoes were released into the huts and recaptured within 13 h, either inside the huts, or within the interior of net traps placed over the huts. Mortality levels differed by < 8% between the spray regimens over the posttreatment period, with both regimens giving 75-100% kill of An. flavirostris during the initial 3 months. The time spent spraying and spray volume used during treatment of village houses were respectively 36 and 49% less under the selective spraying regime. Selective application of bendiocarb therefore shows considerable promise, both in terms of efficacy and cost effectiveness, for the control of An. flavirostris in the Philippines.