Much to the delight of the residents of New York, it was recently reported that Ohio has slipped into the number one slot as the most infested bed bug state.  The bed bug situation is so out of control in Cincinnati, Ohio that some people who are living in apartments are so frustrated with their constant nighttime blood draws that they are sleeping in city streets!  Many residents are suffering, and like so many other states, Ohio is looking for a magic cure for their bed bug infestation problems.  Some people think that no cure is available …or is there?

In October of 2009, the Governor of Ohio asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for an emergency exemption that would allow the use of propoxur to be used in Ohio homes.  Currently, the insecticide is only allowed to be used in commercial buildings, on crops, and in flea and tick pet collars.  It should be noted that propoxur was used in homes prior to being removed from the market in the 1990’s.

Laboratory testing has revealed that propoxur is quite effective at killing bed bugs.  According to testing done at the University of Kentucky, propoxur killed 100 percent of the bed bugs that it was exposed to within 24 hours.  Additionally, once the bed bug eggs hatched, the nymphs died too.  This is great news…perhaps we have a magic cure after all.  These results are far better than typical chemicals that are used in current bed bug treatments which have a 16% kill rate after 72 hours.

But the bad news is that the EPA said “NO” to Ohio’s request for an exemption to use the insecticide in June of 2010 because there are concerns about the dangers of nervous system effects in children who spend time in rooms that are treated with the pesticide.  Despite the rejection, on August 18, 2010, there was a gathering in Ohio to discuss the matter further.  In attendance were representatives from Ohio, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, pest control, and even the Department of Defense.  People were hopeful that a solution would be reached for those that suffer from bed bug infestations.  Sadly, federal officials offered little hope for the residents of Ohio…and therefore for the rest of the United States.   But the great news is that Fido and Fluffy won’t likely be bitten by bed bugs if they are wearing their flea collar!