Pesticides Misused for Bed Bug Control

Comparing Professional and Nonprofessional Applications Reported to the National Pesticide Information Center, 2013–2017

Bibliographic Data

ID11033232
AuthorsApril Strid (The authors are with the National Pesticide Information Center, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Kaci Buhl is also with the Pesticide Safety Education Program, Oregon State University Extension Service, Corvallis.), Alicia Leytem (The authors are with the National Pesticide Information Center, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Kaci Buhl is also with the Pesticide Safety Education Program, Oregon State University Extension Service, Corvallis.), Josean Perez (The authors are with the National Pesticide Information Center, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Kaci Buhl is also with the Pesticide Safety Education Program, Oregon State University Extension Service, Corvallis.), Kaci Buhl (0000-0003-0472-1158, The authors are with the National Pesticide Information Center, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Kaci Buhl is also with the Pesticide Safety Education Program, Oregon State University Extension Service, Corvallis.), Amy Cross (0000-0002-2592-6251, The authors are with the National Pesticide Information Center, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Kaci Buhl is also with the Pesticide Safety Education Program, Oregon State University Extension Service, Corvallis.)
Year2021
Volume111
Issue8
Pages1513-1515
Publication date2021-08-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2021.306307
PMID34185547
OpenAlexW3175200916
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited4

Objectives. To compare outcomes when pesticides are used to control bed bugs by professionals and nonprofessionals. Methods. All US National Pesticide Information Center inquiries from 2013 to 2017 were assessed to identify scenarios involving bed bugs and pesticide applications. Cases were evaluated with respect to types of applicators, misapplications, and human pesticide exposures. Results. Misapplications were more than twice as likely to be reported in cases involving nonprofessional applications (14%) as in cases involving professional applications (5%). Human exposures to pesticides were reported more often when pesticides were misapplied (70%) than when there were no apparent misapplications (31%). Conclusions. Both professionals and nonprofessionals may misuse pesticides to control bed bugs, which may increase the risks of exposure and adverse outcomes. Policy interventions may reduce pesticide incidents related to bed bug control by promoting professional involvement and adherence to product label instructions

Biology · Control (management) · Environmental health · Pesticide · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization · Computer Science · Dermatological diseases and infestations · Ecology · Environmental Science · Insect and Pesticide Research · Medicine · Toxicology

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