Comment submitted by Daniel Strickman, USDA Agricultural Research Service

Propoxur will improve bed bug control in Ohio. It was used as an indoor residual insecticide for many years without public harm, therefore negative effects from the pesticide are unlikely if label directions are followed. The main danger is loss of effectiveness because of resistance. The use of the product should be tied to mandatory monitoring for resistance to both carbamates and pyrethroids. There should be a wriitten plan to reverse resistance by alteration of active ingredients or by elimination of resistant populations using fumigation or heat treatment.