Environmentally Friendly product evaluated for use on Bed Bugs

Tuesday January 22 2008 @ 02:12 AM - Source:

In recent controlled laboratory studies at CleanZone Systems LLC, Ozone was being evaluated for use with eradicating bed bug infestations. Ozone, a powerful oxidizer, is considered an environmentally-friendly alternative to pesticides and is safe to use in homes with children and pets. Ozone converts back to oxygen after about 30 minutes, leaves behind no harmful by-products, and acts as a natural air purifier. Ozone generators commonly used in 'high ozone shock treatments' are used to eliminate mold contamination, second-hand smoke, and odors. In controlled laboratory studies at CleanZone Systems LLC, high levels of ozone have been shown to kill a variety of insects including bed bugs.

UPDATE - 3.27.2008

Cooper Pest Solutions recently investigated the use of Ozone as an alternative treatment for bed bugs. We have worked with two different suppliers of ozone technology and have performed several ozone treatments. Treatments have been performed in a small, free standing, single family structure, while other tests have been run in an office setting. None of the treatments were effective (no mortality was observed). Based upon our observations we have significant concerns regarding the ability to generate, and hold high enough concentrations of ozone, to achieve mortality within a structure. There are additional concerns regarding the ability of ozone to effectively penetrate all of the environments used as harborages by bed bugs. At the current time we do not view ozone as a viable alternative for treatment of structures infested with bed bugs. It will be interesting to see if the suppliers of ozone generation are able to overcome the obstacles that we have observed in the field. Perhaps an area where ozone may be more successful is in containerized treatments of infested items, however this too requires further study.

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