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Updated: Feb 13, 2026

A Method for Evaluating Insecticide Efficacy against Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius, Eggs and First Instars
Published on: March 15, 2017
Temperature stress deteriorates bed bug (Cimex lectularius) populations through decreased survival, fecundity and
Bjørn Arne Rukke1, Ranjeni Sivasubramaniam2, Tone Birkemoe2
1Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract:
Sublethal heat stress may weaken bed bug infestations to potentially ease control. In the present study, experimental populations exposed to 34, 36 or 38°C for 2 or 3 weeks suffered significant mortality during exposure. Among survivors, egg production, egg hatching, moulting success and offspring proliferation decreased significantly in the subsequent 7 week recovery period at 22°C. The overall population success was negatively impacted by increasing temperature and duration of the stress. Such heat stress is inadequate as a single tool for eradication, but may be included as a low cost part of an integrated pest management protocol. Depending on the time available and infestation conditions, the success of some treatments can improve if sublethal heat is implemented prior to the onset of more conventional pest control measures.
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