Editing Bed bug (section)

===Management===
{{Main|Bed bug control techniques}}
Avoiding repeated bites can be difficult since it usually requires [[Bed bug control techniques|eradicating bed bugs]] from a home or workplace; eradication is most effective using non-chemical control methods.<ref name="Parola" /> Non-chemical control methods include vacuuming carpet and furniture (often with scraping) into a disposable bag which is then sealed into a plastic bag to prevent re-infestation.<ref name="Parola" /> Other methods include removing textile materials from an area and washing them in hot water (at least 60 degrees Celsius) or freezing them at {{convert|-20|C|F}}.<ref name="Parola" /> Most consumer-grade freezers are inadequate to kill bedbugs because they cannot create sufficiently low temperatures.<ref name="Parola" /> Unremovable textiles such as mattresses can be steamed to at least {{convert|60|C|F}} and this method can penetrate deep into the textile to effectively kill bed bugs in, potentially, under one minute.<ref name="Parola" /> Heating tents or chambers can be used for infested materials or entire rooms can be heated to at least {{convert|55|C|F}} to effectively eradicate infestation.<ref name="Parola" />

There is no evidence to indicate that a combination of non-chemical methods plus insecticides is more effective than non-chemical methods alone with regards to eradication of bed bug infestations.<ref name="Parola" />

Insecticides are mostly ineffective for the eradication of bedbug infestations as most bedbugs are resistant to insecticides, including pyrethroids which are found in approximately 90% of commercial grade insecticides.<ref name="Parola" /> Furthermore, insect foggers (known as "bug bombs") are ineffective in the eradication of bed bug infestation as they are unable to penetrate bed bug harborages.<ref name="Parola" /> Resistance to pesticides has increased significantly over time, and there are concerns about [[Health effects of pesticides|harm to health]] from their use.<ref name=JAMA2009/>

Once established, bed bugs are extremely difficult to get rid of,<ref name=JAMA2009/> particularly  in buildings with multiple dwellings, as they may be present in other parts of the building than the dwelling being treated,<ref name="Parola" /> and can re-establish populations by moving from infested to decontaminated areas.

<!--Mechanical -->
Mechanical approaches, such as vacuuming up the insects and heat-treating or wrapping mattresses, are effective.<ref name=JAMA2009 /><ref name=Dog2012/> An hour at a temperature of {{convert|45|C|F}} or over, or two hours at less than {{convert|-17|C|F}} kills them.<ref name=Dog2012 /> This may include a domestic [[clothes drier]] for fabric or a commercial steamer. Bed bugs and their eggs will die on contact when exposed to surface temperatures above {{convert|180|F|C}} and a steamer can reach well above {{convert|230|F|C}}.<ref name=birc.org>{{cite journal|last=Quarles|first=William|date=March 2007|title=Bed Bugs Bounce Back|journal=IPM Practitioner|volume=24|issue=3/4|pages=1–8|url=http://www.birc.org/MarApril2007.pdf|access-date=27 May 2010|archive-date=11 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111193218/http://www.birc.org/MarApril2007.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.bedbugs.umn.edu/bed-bug-control-in-residences/steamers| title=Using Steamers to Control Bed Bugs| date=22 June 2016| access-date=4 March 2018| archive-date=26 July 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726165853/https://www.bedbugs.umn.edu/bed-bug-control-in-residences/steamers| url-status=live}}</ref> A study found 100% mortality rates for bed bugs exposed to temperatures greater than {{convert|50|C|F}} for more than 2 minutes. The study recommended maintaining temperatures of above {{convert|48|C|F}} for more than 20 min to effectively kill all life stages of bed bugs, and because in practice treatment times of 6 to 8 hours are used to account for cracks and indoor clutter.<ref name=PropaneStudy>{{cite report |last=Hulasare |first=Raj |title=Fundamental Research on the Efficacy of Heat on Bed Bugs and Heat Transfer in Mattresses|date=September 2007 – April 2009 |id=PERC docket 12221}}</ref> This method is expensive and has caused fires.<ref name=Dog2012/><ref name=birc.org/> Starving bedbugs is not effective, as they can survive without eating for 135 to 300 days, depending on temperature.<ref name=Dog2012 /><ref name="Parola" />

<!--Insecticides -->
After the withdrawal of most [[Insecticide#Organochlorides|organochlorine insecticides]], {{As of|2012|alt=it was stated in 2012}} that no truly effective insecticides were available.<ref name=Dog2012/><!-- Quote = "widespread insecticide resistance, the current lack of effective insecticidal products" --> Insecticides that have historically been found effective include [[pyrethroid]]s, [[dichlorvos]], and [[malathion]].<ref name=Kolb2009 /> Resistance to pesticides has increased significantly in recent decades.<ref name=JAMA2009 /> The [[carbamate]] insecticide [[propoxur]] is highly toxic to bed bugs, but it has potential toxicity to children exposed to it, and the [[US Environmental Protection Agency]] has been reluctant to approve it for indoor use.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/opinion/05sun3.html "In Search of a Bedbug Solution"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309063958/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/opinion/05sun3.html |date=9 March 2021 }}. ''The New York Times''. (4 September 2010).</ref> [[Boric acid]], sometimes applied as a safe indoor insecticide against pests such as [[Blattoidea|cockroaches and termites]], is not effective against bed bugs<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/341BBSteps.pdf |title=Got Bed Bugs? Don't Panic! |access-date= 27 August 2018}}</ref> because they do not groom.<ref name=miller>{{cite book|editor=John L. Capinera|last = Miller |first = Dini|title=Encyclopedia of Entomology|chapter = Bed bugs (hemiptera: cimicidae: ''Cimex'' spp.)|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i9ITMiiohVQC&pg=PA414|date=11 August 2008|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-1-4020-6242-1|page=414}}</ref>