Entomologists at Ohio State University have determined bed bugs are increasing their resistance to pesticides and the neurotransmitter chemicals formulated specifically to eliminate them. Numerous other studies in the past few years have come to the same conclusion.

Facility managers wrestling with bed bug concerns need to know the facts about how to address infestations in light of insecticide resistance. To meet this need, QuestSpecialty Corporation offers a free informational white paper, “Killing Bed Bugs with Insecticide Resistance: The Difference Between Neurotransmitter Chemicals and Mechanical Killing Agents.”

“With the increase in bed bug infestations combined with their increasing resistance to pesticides, it is important to understand the basics of extermination and know there are effective alternatives to traditional pesticides and high heat treatments,” points out Alex Pratt, lead chemist for QuestSpecialty Corporation. “The information in this white paper provides this needed guidance in a simple, straightforward way.”

The paper explains how most common pesticides rely on using neurotransmitter chemicals such as pyrethrin and pyrethroids to kill bed bugs. Included in this explanation are details about how these neurotransmitter chemicals work and the ways bed bugs have evolved defenses against the chemical ingredients.

Readers will also learn about the alternative to using a chemical insecticide, which is a Mechanical Killing Agent. This optional approach circumvents the bed bug’s pesticide resistance and causes death by dehydration.

Using the example of QuestSpecialty’s LIGHTS OUT Bed Bug Killer, the paper explains how a non-toxic formulation can act as a Mechanical Killing Agent. There is also an explanation about how products qualify for 25 (b) exemption in the EPA Pesticide Regulations and the importance of receiving third-party certification for effectiveness.

The “Killing Bed Bugs with Insecticide Resistance: The Difference Between Neurotransmitter Chemicals and Mechanical Killing Agents” white paper is available as a free download at www.QuestSpecialty.com. Copies are also available through QuestSpecialty sales representatives.