Comment submitted by Camille Jones, MD, Cincinnati Health Department

Cincinnati has been struggling with a severe bed bug problem for several years. Population based surveys indicate that the percent of persons experiencing problems with bed bugs in their home or apartment in the past year rose from 14.5% in Spring 2008 to 21.7% in Spring 2009, a statistically significant increase in an already high percentage. Because of the resistance to pesticides, multiple applications are needed which pose a serious burden to both residents and in the case of rental units, landlords who face repeated costly treatments. The ability to have a 1 application 100% kill would significantly increase the likelihood of permanently removing bedbugs from heavily infested buildings, including those which house vulnerable senior citizens and disabled individuals.