Pyrethroids are the main ingredient in most
professionally and commercially used pesticides for eradication of bed
bugs. Studies have indicated that bed
bugs can be resistant to these pesticides possibly leading to use of increasing
amounts of the pesticide. Misuse of commercially purchased pesticides is common
when dealing with a bed bug infestation and this can lead to endangerment of
human health. A protocol involving
administration of a questionnaire about household pesticide use followed by
collection of samples in areas of the residence using the cotton wipe method
designed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and laboratory
analysis of wipe extracts can be used to determine levels of exposure. Surveys were administered and environmental
samples were collected in two residential buildings which were reported to have
a bed bug infestation.
The goal of this research is to raise awareness of the
need to monitor the use of pesticides by examining the correlation between the
results of the bed bug questionnaire and
pyrethroid exposure levels. The extent of bedbug presence influences the
human behaviors (spraying pesticides easily available in many general stores)
and consequently the level of exposure.
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