Overview: U.S. Bed Bug 

Problem and Role of Efficacy 

Studies

Lois Rossi, Director

Registration Division

Office of Pesticide Programs

US Environmental Protection Agency

March 6, 2012
Presentation Overview

• Overview of bed bug problem and 

EPA’s role in addressing problems

• Importance of accurate efficacy 

evaluations for bed bug control products

• Efficacy guidelines role in addressing 

bed bug problem
Bed Bug Problem

• Over the past ten years, the bed bug problem in 

the U.S. has become increasingly difficult

– Started with resurgence of bed bug infestations

– Increased media and public inquiries

– Led to concern at local governments

• Lack of resources increased feeling of helplessness

– Strain concerned states and regional officials

• Lack of information on biology and control 

increased public’s concern

– Education needed on all levels, from pest control 

professionals to housing managers to general public
Bed Bug Problem

• Prior to 2009, EPA treated bed bugs as it did 

other indoor residential pests

– Regulatory processes followed standard PRIA 

deadlines

– Communication materials and web site was 

largely silent on issue, no special treatment

– Efficacy was conducted using a general protocol 

for crawling insects (810.35)

• In short, it was business as usual
Bed Bug Summits

• In 2009, EPA hosted first bed bug summit to: share information among 

stakeholders, identify ideas and options, develop recommendations for 

actions

• In February 2011, 2nd summit held to: discuss progress since last 

summit for a variety of stakeholder perspectives; identify knowledge 

gaps and barriers to effective, community –wise bed bug control; 

propose next steps in addressing knowledge gaps and eliminating 

barriers; prioritize next steps for developing strategies.

• Based on recommendations from both 2009 and 2011 summits, EPA 

has been very proactive in addressing the bed bug problem:

– New web page, facilitating communications between communities, 

funding grant opportunities, working with registrants on new 

products. working with federal partners (Federal Bed Bug Work 

Group) to deal a strategy.
EPA’s Bed Bug Strategy

• EPA has a multi-pronged approach:

– Encourage the development of new tools and 

promote Integrated Pest Management efforts;

– Education and outreach, promoting appropriate 

control techniques (and discourage misuse);

– Collaboration with federal government partners 

and communication with state and local 

governments.
Regulatory Activities

• Encouraging new registrations by:

– Expediting registration of new products to control 

bed bugs or adding the use to an existing label.

– Facilitating new products through interactions with

 stakeholders and federal partners

– Improving efficacy evaluations for bed bugs

– Developing new guidelines to provide guidance to 

the registrant and more information to the Agency, 

user, public.
Efficacy and Bed Bugs

• Both the 2009 and 2011 summits discussed 

the need for efficacious pesticide products to 

control bed bugs

– Many asserted there were no registered products 

(subsequent EPA inventory identified over 300 

products, with several different modes of action)

– Others asserted registered products did not work

– Standardized tests for efficacy was a 

recommendation from 2011 summit
Efficacy for Current Bed Bug Products

• EPA attempted to address efficacy confusion in 

homeowner and the PCO market by creating a 

product search tool

• EPA conducted a very resource-intensive effort to 

identify efficacy data submitted to support registration 

of these products

– Found testing methods were inconsistent

– Issues raised on whether product would consistently work in 

the situation where used

– Data vary in test populations and methods of control
Accurately Expressing Efficacy

• Quality efficacy data can drive more accurate 

and effective labeling, improving treatment 

outcomes

• Label language is directly derived from data

– Some language is site-specific:

• Types of surfaces, use on bedding, precautions when 

used around children, retreatment intervals, etc.

– Other language will be bug-specific

• Resistant populations, egg claims, kill versus control 

claims, etc.
Accurately Measuring Efficacy

• A guideline for bed bugs will address issues that 

are specific to bed bug control products, such as:

– Residual, surface contact

– Fogger/mister/aerosol efficacy

– Susceptible, resistant, and field strain testing

– Insecticide-impregnated materials

– Egg kill

• By mimicking application techniques, efficacy 

testing can better account for bed bug’s unique 

biology and behavior
Importance of the Guideline

• A guideline for efficacy testing of products to 

control bed bugs will greatly improve EPA’s 

efficacy data review process by:

– Increasing transparency

– Providing clear expectations for data development to 

support product registration

– Outlining consistent testing/evaluation that should vary 

little between registrants, products, or lab choice

– Ensuring more consistent efficacy of bed bug products
Conclusions

• Advice from the Scientific Advisory Panel is a 

vital part of our guideline development 

process in the areas of:

– Bed bug biology

– Bioassay design, insecticide testing and data 

analysis

• We welcome the SAP’s input and public 

comments on the draft guideline and are 

looking forward to a productive meeting.