Changes

===Fumigation/gases===

===Fumigation/gases===

Controlled atmospheres (either single or gas mixtures) are an historical method of eradication of bedbugs and other pests, the use of which offers their own challenges s well as superior effectiveness and residua effects versus that of chemical pesticides.  

Use of controlled atmospheres (either single or gas mixtures) are an historical method used in the eradicating of bedbugs and other pests, typically offering superior effectiveness with less residual effects versus that of legal chemical pesticides, but which suffers from their own challenges and dangers.

====Vikane/sulfuryl fluoride====

====Vikane/sulfuryl fluoride====

====Sulfur dioxide====

====Sulfur dioxide====

Reports exist, clinical and anecdotal, of past use of  fumigation with sulfur dioxide (such as through the use of sulfur candle) showing that it was a highly effective method against bedbugs.<ref>http://thebedbugresource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=623</ref> In the late 1930 to the mid 1940s it was used in the United Kingdom to fumigate entire homes, and it is reported to have helped reduce infestations by up to 80% in one town under study.<ref>Busvine J.R. 1964. Medical Entomology in Britain. Ann. of App. Biol. 53: 190-199</ref> However, it is dangerous to use, due the poisonous and suffocating vapors of the sulphur dioxide gas, while its chemical action on metals and coloring fabrics may leave undesirable effects.<ref>[http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=9&ved=0CF4QFjAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC2218860%2Fpdf%2Fjapha00004-0001b.pdf&ei=_7fkTMOcM4X7lwfpgvC1Cw&usg=AFQjCNG9DYw3T_grq4d_oLBTX7x-Wi0yTA&sig2=IawKCwC3s8zx6H7WlD9T3A Journal of the American Public Health Association,[ p. 232, April, 1911</ref> Factors adversely affecting its effectiveness include the difficulty in  penetrating all haborages, the higher resistance of eggs to the fumigant, while starvation and cold enhances the resistance of all bedbugs.<ref>http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org/2009/06/15/the-challenges-in-1941</ref> To be efficient it must burn rapidly,  and some studies report it is not always successful. More clinical studies are needed in order to ascertain its effectiveness and the best manner of treatment. <ref>[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1744-7348.1940.tb07481.x/abstract  H. C. Gough, ''The toxicity of sulphur dioxide to the bed-bug Cimex Lectularius L.'']</ref>

Reports exist, clinical and anecdotal, of past use of  fumigation with sulfur dioxide (such as through the use of sulfur candle) showing that it was a highly effective method against bedbugs.<ref>http://thebedbugresource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=623</ref> In the late 1930 to the mid 1940s it was used in the United Kingdom to fumigate entire homes, and it is reported to have helped reduce infestations by up to 80% in one town under study.<ref>Busvine J.R. 1964. Medical Entomology in Britain. Ann. of App. Biol. 53: 190-199</ref>  

 

However, it is no longer legal to sell for consumer use in homes, although it may be used in greenhouses and possibly by professional exterminators in some cases, as it is dangerous to use due to the poisonous and suffocating vapors of the sulfur dioxide gas, while its chemical action on metals and coloring fabrics may leave undesirable effects.<ref>[http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=9&ved=0CF4QFjAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC2218860%2Fpdf%2Fjapha00004-0001b.pdf&ei=_7fkTMOcM4X7lwfpgvC1Cw&usg=AFQjCNG9DYw3T_grq4d_oLBTX7x-Wi0yTA&sig2=IawKCwC3s8zx6H7WlD9T3A Journal of the American Public Health Association,[ p. 232, April, 1911</ref> Factors adversely affecting its effectiveness include the difficulty in  penetrating all haborages, the higher resistance of eggs to the fumigant, while starvation and cold enhances the resistance of all bedbugs.<ref>http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org/2009/06/15/the-challenges-in-1941</ref> To be efficient it must burn rapidly,  and some studies report it is not always successful. More clinical studies are needed in order to ascertain its effectiveness and the best manner of treatment. <ref>[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1744-7348.1940.tb07481.x/abstract  H. C. Gough, ''The toxicity of sulphur dioxide to the bed-bug Cimex Lectularius L.'']</ref>

====Carbon Dioxide====

====Carbon Dioxide====

Experiments subjecting bedbugs to atmospheres of carbon dioxide resulted in 100 % mortality of all stages within 6 hours in an atmosphere of 100% C02, while a 60% volume produced the same effect within 24 hours. An atmosphere of 98% nitrogen resulted in only 10 - 20 % mortality after 72 hours.<ref>[http://www.icup.org.uk/reports/ICUP511.pdf ''Efficacy of controlled atmospheres on cimex lectularius.'' Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Urban Pests]</ref>

Experiments subjecting bedbugs to atmospheres of carbon dioxide resulted in 100 % mortality of all stages within 6 hours in an atmosphere of 100% C02, while a 60% volume produced the same effect within 24 hours. An atmosphere of 98% nitrogen resulted in only 10 - 20 % mortality after 72 hours.<ref>[http://www.icup.org.uk/reports/ICUP511.pdf ''Efficacy of controlled atmospheres on cimex lectularius.'' Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Urban Pests]</ref>

===Natural predators===

===Natural predators===