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Bed Bug FAQ
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small insects that feed on blood. Despite their name, bed bugs can be found in a variety of environments outside of bedding such as furniture, walls, office buildings, college dormitories, etc. Recently bed bugs have undergone a massive resurgence and are quickly becoming a worldwide problem.
What do bed bugs look like?
Adults are small, brownish insects, just under a ¼” long and are relatively flat. They are nearly as wide as they are long, and oval in shape. Immature bed bugs (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are much smaller and lighter in color. Newly hatched nymphs are translucent and are no bigger than a pinhead.
Do bed bugs transmit disease? What are their bite symptoms?
No. Although bed bugs carry over 28 human pathogens, there has been no documented case of bed bugs transmitting disease. The medical concerns of bed bugs are typically limited to the itching and inflammation associated with their bite. The bites' effects are similar to allergic reactions and can vary from itchy welts to severe and painful rashes that require medical attention. Often, the emotional trauma associated with discovering a bed bug infestation is considerable.
Why have bed bugs made a comeback?
Bed bugs were a common problem during WWII. The use of DDT insecticides nearly eradicated the insect from North America and they have not been a significant problem for nearly 50 years. Although changes in pest management practices and increased international travel may be blamed for the resurgence of bed bugs, the lack of public awareness may be the primary reason these bugs continue to spread at their current rate.
How do you get bed bugs?
Bed bugs need to be introduced into an environment. They do not jump or fly but are excellent hitch-hikers and can be transported on clothing, luggage, used furniture and various other objects. Risk for bed bug exposure increases in several of the following situations:
How will I know if I have bed bugs?
The most reliable way to confirm you have bed bugs is to contact an entomologist or pest management professional and have them identify a sample collected from your home. However, there are key warning signs that you may have an infestation:
How can I prevent infestation?
There are several steps that can be taken to minimize the risk of infestation:
Aren’t bed bugs typically associated with the dirty and poor?
No. Bed bugs have been found everywhere from low-income housing to five-star hotels. Anywhere bed bugs can be transported, they can infest. Everyone should take precautions regardless of socio-economic status.
Referenced: www.aprehend.com/bed-bugs-faq/
Bed bugs are small insects that feed on blood. Despite their name, bed bugs can be found in a variety of environments outside of bedding such as furniture, walls, office buildings, college dormitories, etc. Recently bed bugs have undergone a massive resurgence and are quickly becoming a worldwide problem.
What do bed bugs look like?
Adults are small, brownish insects, just under a ¼” long and are relatively flat. They are nearly as wide as they are long, and oval in shape. Immature bed bugs (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are much smaller and lighter in color. Newly hatched nymphs are translucent and are no bigger than a pinhead.
Do bed bugs transmit disease? What are their bite symptoms?
No. Although bed bugs carry over 28 human pathogens, there has been no documented case of bed bugs transmitting disease. The medical concerns of bed bugs are typically limited to the itching and inflammation associated with their bite. The bites' effects are similar to allergic reactions and can vary from itchy welts to severe and painful rashes that require medical attention. Often, the emotional trauma associated with discovering a bed bug infestation is considerable.
Why have bed bugs made a comeback?
Bed bugs were a common problem during WWII. The use of DDT insecticides nearly eradicated the insect from North America and they have not been a significant problem for nearly 50 years. Although changes in pest management practices and increased international travel may be blamed for the resurgence of bed bugs, the lack of public awareness may be the primary reason these bugs continue to spread at their current rate.
How do you get bed bugs?
Bed bugs need to be introduced into an environment. They do not jump or fly but are excellent hitch-hikers and can be transported on clothing, luggage, used furniture and various other objects. Risk for bed bug exposure increases in several of the following situations:
- Purchasing or using second-hand furniture and mattresses
- Entertaining or being an overnight guest
- Staying in hotels, college dormitories, boarding schools
- Children coming home from summer camp
How will I know if I have bed bugs?
The most reliable way to confirm you have bed bugs is to contact an entomologist or pest management professional and have them identify a sample collected from your home. However, there are key warning signs that you may have an infestation:
- Waking with bites, welts or rashes. Bite marks may appear in rows and clusters.
- Dark spotting or blood droplets on mattresses or bedding. These are waste products bed bugs excrete while digesting a blood-meal.
- Visible observation of eggs, molted insect skin, or the insect. The failure to locate an insect does not indicate they are not present. Adult bed bugs are difficult to locate and immature bed bugs can be difficult to see due to their size.
How can I prevent infestation?
There are several steps that can be taken to minimize the risk of infestation:
- Carefully inspect or avoid second-hand furniture, mattresses and bedding
- During hotel visits, do not place luggage on the bed or furniture until you have inspected the bedding, mattresses and headboards
- When traveling, periodically inspect your luggage and bag
- Encase your beds with bed bug proof encasements such as Protect-A-Bed bed encasements
Aren’t bed bugs typically associated with the dirty and poor?
No. Bed bugs have been found everywhere from low-income housing to five-star hotels. Anywhere bed bugs can be transported, they can infest. Everyone should take precautions regardless of socio-economic status.
Referenced: www.aprehend.com/bed-bugs-faq/
WHAT IS A BIOPESTICIDE?
What is a ‘Biopesticide’?The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a biopesticide as ‘a type of pesticide derived from such natural materials as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals.' Aprehend® is a ‘microbial biopesticide,’ meaning that it consists of a microorganism (e.g., a bacterium, fungus, virus or protozoan) as the active ingredient. Microbial pesticides can control many different kinds of pests, although each separate active ingredient is relatively specific for its target pest(s). For example, there are fungi that control certain weeds, and other fungi that kill specific insects. The fungus in Aprehend® is called Beauveria bassiana and is highly effective against bed bugs.
What are the advantages of using biopesticides?Biopesticides are usually inherently less toxic than conventional pesticides. Biopesticides generally affect only the target pest and closely related organisms, in contrast to broad spectrum, conventional pesticides that may affect organisms as different as birds, insects, and mammals. Biopesticides can be effective in very small quantities and often decompose quickly, thereby resulting in lower exposures and largely avoiding the toxicity problems caused by conventional pesticides. When used as a component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, biopesticides can greatly decrease the use of conventional pesticides. However, users need to know a great deal about managing pests.
Are biopesticides tested for safety like conventional pesticides?The EPA always conducts rigorous reviews to ensure that biopesticides will not have adverse effects on human health or the environment. For EPA to be sure that a biopesticide is safe, the Agency requires that registrants submit a variety of data about the composition, toxicity, efficacy, degradation, and other characteristics of the pesticide. Any product not registered with the EPA has not been evaluated for safety and efficacy.
What are the advantages of using biopesticides?Biopesticides are usually inherently less toxic than conventional pesticides. Biopesticides generally affect only the target pest and closely related organisms, in contrast to broad spectrum, conventional pesticides that may affect organisms as different as birds, insects, and mammals. Biopesticides can be effective in very small quantities and often decompose quickly, thereby resulting in lower exposures and largely avoiding the toxicity problems caused by conventional pesticides. When used as a component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, biopesticides can greatly decrease the use of conventional pesticides. However, users need to know a great deal about managing pests.
Are biopesticides tested for safety like conventional pesticides?The EPA always conducts rigorous reviews to ensure that biopesticides will not have adverse effects on human health or the environment. For EPA to be sure that a biopesticide is safe, the Agency requires that registrants submit a variety of data about the composition, toxicity, efficacy, degradation, and other characteristics of the pesticide. Any product not registered with the EPA has not been evaluated for safety and efficacy.
Aprehend Product Information
What is the active ingredient?The active ingredient in Aprehend® is a natural fungal disease of insects called Beauveria bassiana, it is specific to insects and does not affect humans or animals. While the use of Beauveria to control bed bugs is a new application, Beauveria and other insect diseases have been used to control pest insects in horticulture and agriculture for many years.
What is different about Aprehend®?The key difference between Aprehend® and other biopesticides developed for use in agriculture is the formulation. Aprehend® is a unique, ready-to-use formulation, which contains a special combination of oils, which enable the application of the Beauveria conidia (spores) to surfaces where they remain attached until encountered by a bed bug. This proprietary oil formulation ensures that Aprehend® is effective even at very low (<20 %) relative humidity. The conidia remain dormant on the sprayed surface, and will only germinate when they come into contact with a bed bug. This is how Aprehend® remains effective for up to 3 months after application. All agricultural formulations are designed to be diluted in water and sprayed at high volumes directly on insects that are feeding on plants. Once conidia have been in contact with water, they germinate quickly and if they are not in direct contact with an insect they will die.
Does the fungus affect humans or pets?No, Beauveria is specific to insects and will not infect humans or pets. The formulation is designed to stick the conidia to the surface where they are applied, and will not remain airborne after the spray application. There are no chemical toxins in the Aprehend® formulation.
Has Aprehend® been tested on humans?No, human testing is never conducted on pesticide products. There are a specific set of animal test protocols that are required by the EPA, and these were part of the regulatory dossier submitted for Aprehend®. Human testing is only conducted on drugs for treating human diseases, these are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Does Aprehend® have any odor?No, Aprehend® is odorless and invisible on most surfaces.
Will Aprehend® stain furniture?No, Aprehend® is invisible on most surfaces, and is applied to areas that are generally hidden, and not normally contacted by humans, such as the perimeter of the underside of a sofa, and the seating area under the cushions etc. Aprehend® should not be applied to leather surfaces or silk.
Is the spray visible on woodwork or drywall?Generally, no, but depending on the paint surface (semi-gloss/gloss), it may be possible to see the spray line under certain lighting conditions. If this occurs, the spray can be easily removed, with a disinfectant wipe or kitchen spray and paper towel, but always leave the spray barrier in place until the bed bug infestation has been completely eradicated.
How does Beauveria kill bed bugs?Beauveria is a natural disease of insects, it infects an insect by direct contact, and does not need to be eaten to initiate an infection. Aprehend® contains the conidia of Beauveria, these microscopic ‘seeds’ readily attach to insect cuticle (insect skin). Once attached, the conidia germinate and penetrate directly through the cuticle and gain access to the insect’s blood system. Once there the fungus grows inside the insect, using the blood as a food source. Very soon the insect becomes sick and dies from the fungal infection. In bed bugs this takes between 3 and 7 days
Does Aprehend® have to be sprayed directly on a bed bug to work?No, bed bugs are extremely difficult to find and target directly, because they hide in tiny cracks and crevices (called harborages) in furniture and the structural elements of a building. It is impossible to locate and treat inside every harborage in a room. Aprehend® is designed to be sprayed in 2” wide barriers around the bed and items of furniture where bed bugs are likely to walk when they emerge from to look for a blood meal. When bed bugs cross the barrier, the conidia readily attach to the cuticle of the bed bug, and will initiate the infection process.
What about low humidity, does Aprehend® work at humidities less than 20% ERH?Yes, our proprietary formulation was developed specifically to ensure efficacy at low relative humidities. This is one of the unique advantages of Aprehend®.
Does the disease spread in the bed bug population?Yes, once a bed bug has come into contact with the conidia, it will carry the conidia on its body back to the harborage. When an exposed bed bug comes into contact with another bed bug, the conidia transfer from one to the other. Since bed bugs live packed tightly together in harborages, the fungal disease easily spreads in the population. This process is called auto-dissemination.
How long will Aprehend® be effective after application?Aprehend® spray barriers remain active for up to 3 months. This means that any bed bug crossing the barrier, even 12 weeks after treatment can pick up the conidia and go on to die. However, it is important that the spray barriers are not disturbed. Spray barriers should be applied to areas that are not exposed to frequent contact by humans, or sunlight. Do not clean the areas that have been sprayed until you are sure that the bed bug infestation has been completely eradicated.
How long will it take for a bed bug infestation to be eradicated after using Aprehend®?As with all current bed bug control methods (except heat), it will take time before all the bed bugs in an infestation are killed. Aprehend® starts working immediately after spraying, and remains effective for up to 3 months, providing the barrier has not been removed by cleaning. When a bed bug crosses the spray barrier, it picks up conidia, which will germinate within 24 hours. The fungus will then grow inside the body of the bed bug, and death will occur between 3 and 7 days later. Bed bugs that remain in their harborages can become infected if they contact a bed bug that has picked up conidia from the spray barrier, these bed bugs will also go on to die within a few days. It will take time before all bed bugs have been exposed to the fungal conidia, either by crossing the barrier themselves or coming into contact with others who have picked up conidia. However, since the spray barrier will remain effective for up to 3 months, all bed bugs will be eliminated. Depending on the level of infestation, and the activity of the bed bugs, it may take between 4-8 weeks to effect complete eradication.
Can I see the conidia from Aprehend® on sprayed surfaces or the body of a bed bug?The conidia in the formulation are invisible to the human eye, being about 2 microns in diameter. The formulation looks milky, because it contains millions of tiny conidia floating in the suspension. After application to a surface, the conidia cannot be seen by the human eye. Similarly, when they are picked up by bed bugs, it is not possible to see the conidia on the surface of the bed bugs. Once the bed bug has become infected, the conidia grow inside the body of the bed bug, making it sluggish and inactive. Within 3-7 days, the bed bug will die. Bed bugs that have been killed by Aprehend® look the same as bed bugs killed by dusts or chemicals.
Can I buy Aprehend® for use in my home? No, Aprehend® is only supplied to Licensed Pest Controllers. Application of Aprehend® requires specific spray equipment, it cannot be applied with standard ‘high volume’ sprayers. All pest controllers who purchase Aprehend® must take an online training course to ensure that they are familiar with the use of fungal biopesticides, and the application strategy required for successful bed bug control. The Aprehend® spray applicator must also be purchased along with the first bottles of product.
I have more questions, where can I find more answers?If you cannot find the information you are looking for anywhere on this site, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to get back to you.
Referenced: www.aprehend.com/aprehend-faq/
Safety Questions
What were the results of the EPA evaluation on safety of Aprehend®?The EPA summary on risk to human health is as follows:
When applied as a pesticide to control bed bugs indoors, EPA concludes that use of Beauveria bassiana GHA will not result in unreasonable adverse effects to humans. The new use will not contribute to oral exposures already evaluated for the agricultural use. EPA does not expect dietary (food and drinking water) or other non-occupational risks from the indoor use of B. bassiana GHA as an active ingredient in Aprehend®. The incidental dermal/inhalation exposures from indoor use will be limited. Any occupational exposures to applicators handling B. bassiana GHA are expected to be minimized by label precautions and the use of the required PPE; which in addition, addresses the general concern for potential allergic sensitization for all microbial pesticides. It is not appropriate to aggregate dietary risk of other B. bassiana GHA products with the risks of dermal sensitization from Aprehend® since the endpoints are different.
(Regulatory Decision for the First Indoor Use of the Active Ingredient Beauveria bassiana strain GHA to Control Bed Bugs. Richard Kegwin, Office of Pesticide Programs, US EPA 02/15/2017)
Does Beauveria have a safety record?Beauveria bassiana is a fungus that is commonly found in the environment, particularly soils in the US and throughout the world. People are constantly exposed to low levels of fungal spores, including Beauveria spp. on a daily basis. In fact, the commercial product Botanigard®, which also contains the same GHA strain that is in Aprehend®, has been used to control pests in vegetable products in the US and worldwide for the past 20 years. Products can be sprayed with Botanigard® (Beauveria GHA) on the day that they are harvested and sent to the store. It's likely that the tomatoes in your home refrigerator have been sprayed with Beauveria (GHA) spores prior to harvesting, particularly if they are organic. Because of its long-standing and widespread use, Beauveria GHA already has an outstanding safety record.
What about people with compromised immune systems, and other medical issues?A complete and thorough search of the scientific literature resulted in the identification of just seven reports of human infection by 'Beauveria' species worldwide. In all reports, the patient was immunocompromised and the specific source of the infection was unknown. In ALL cases the infection was successfully treated with routine antifungal medication, with no further repercussions. However, there have been NO incidents of human infection attributed to commercial isolate GHA, which has been in widespread use for the past 20 years. This absence of any negative human effects attributed to the GHA isolate is significant. Even Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Brewer's/Baker's yeast), considered to be the least dangerous fungal species, has been found to be responsible for invasive, infection in immunocompromised patients in 72 published cases.
While it is clear that no pesticide should be considered completely safe, the risk associated with the use of Aprehend® according to label instructions is extremely low.
What about allergy sufferers?Allergic responses can be triggered by the inhalation of any proteinaceous dust, these include fungal spores, pollen, insect skin fragments, animal dander etc. The fungal spores in Aprehend® are formulated in a proprietary oil formulation, which is designed to stick the spores to the surface where they are applied. The Aprehend® label requires that residents do not re-enter their property for 4 hours after treatment. This ensures that all aerosolized droplets will have settled. Once applied, the spray residue sticks to the surface and will not become airborne again, so there is no risk of inhaling fungal spores, providing the label instructions have been followed. Aprehend® is applied to areas where human contact is likely to be minimal; this helps to ensure the spray barrier remains in place and is effective for up to three months. Even direct skin contact with the spray residue is unlikely to cause any adverse or allergic response.
Will customers be put off by the idea of fungus being sprayed inside their homes?As we know, 'fungus' means different things to different people. Many fungi are used in food products such as cheese - Brie, Camembert, and blue cheeses (Penicillium spp.), quorn™- fungal protein-based meat alternative (Fusarium sp.), soy sauce (Aspergillus sp.), and of course edible mushrooms (Agaricus, Lentinus, Pluerotus).
Beauveria bassiana causes disease in insects. Interestingly, Beauveria infected silk worm larvae have been used Chinese medicine for centuries. Infected larvae are eaten whole or ground into powder and consumed, to cure a range of intestinal and liver complaints.
Essentially, it's all about the perception and while they describe the same thing, using a 'natural disease of insects' may sound more palatable than 'fungus spores.'
Can the fungus grow inside people’s houses – particularly damp ones?Beauveria cannot and will not grow in people's houses. Under normal humidity conditions, it will not even germinate unless it is in contact with a bed bug. At very high humidity (>90%), the microscopic spores in the spray residue may germinate, but no visible growth will occur, and the spore will just go on to die because it has no food source to utilize. Typical mold fungi (Aspergillus and Penicillium) have specific enzymes that allow them to break down cellulose and lignin and are adapted to growth in structural environments. You can see these fungi because they grow and produce new spores (the green coloration) using the wood or plasterboard as a food source. Beauveria does not produce these enzymes and cannot grow in these environments.
If Aprehend® is non-toxic, how does it kill bed bugs?The fungus in Aprehend® is an infectious agent, not a toxin; it kills by penetration of the insect cuticle and growth inside the blood system (hemocoel) of the bed bug. The fungus is not infectious to humans, as it is a specialist insect pathogen. It cannot grow at human body temperature.
Has Aprehend® been tested on humans?No, human testing is never conducted on pesticide products. There are a specific set of animal test protocols that are required by the EPA, and these were part of the regulatory dossier submitted for Aprehend®.
Human testing is only conducted on drugs for treating human diseases; the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates these. However, commercial use, and resulting human exposure to the GHA Beauveria strain in the US, South America and Europe over the past 20 years, has resulted in no reported adverse human health effects. GHA cannot grow at human body temperature (98°F). The EPA assessment of Beauveria is that it poses a very low risk to humans when used according to label instructions, in both horticultural and domestic environments.
What about the signal words – Caution and Danger?The Aprehend® SDS uses the signal word 'Danger' because some of the components of the oil formulation are 'Petroleum Distillates.' These products should not be inhaled. For this reason, respiratory protection must be worn during application of Aprehend® and residents should not re-enter areas where application has taken place for 4 hours. This ensures that all spray droplets have settled and no longer pose an inhalation risk. Occasionally it is possible to see a spray 'mist' during application of Aprehend®; this mist is comprised of tiny aerosolized oil droplets, which will settle within three hours of application. Always check that your application speed and distance from the target surface are correct. Spray application, at a distance of 3-4” and a speed of 4-5 seconds per yard, will provide the most efficient application and minimal spray mist formation.
Chemical vs. biological riskIn theory, there should be no difference in the health risks associated with the use of either chemical or biological pesticides when used according to label instructions. However, we have to accept that there will be occurrences where products may not have been applied appropriately. The negative health effects associated with chemical pesticides include, dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological, carcinogenic, respiratory, reproductive, and endocrine effects. High occupational, accidental, or intentional exposure to pesticides can result in hospitalization and death.
While chemical pesticide residues from appropriately applied products do not exceed the legislatively determined safe levels, these may underestimate the real health risk if simultaneous exposure to pesticides from two or more sources occurs (e.g. from chemical application inside the home, and via residues on food products). Often, the effects of chemical pesticide exposure can go unnoticed, but the long-term effects can result in significant health impacts.
Conversely, due to its non-toxic nature, cumulative exposure to biological products such as Aprehend® via different sources, would not increase the risk of health impacts.
Referenced: http://www.aprehend.com/safety-faq/
When applied as a pesticide to control bed bugs indoors, EPA concludes that use of Beauveria bassiana GHA will not result in unreasonable adverse effects to humans. The new use will not contribute to oral exposures already evaluated for the agricultural use. EPA does not expect dietary (food and drinking water) or other non-occupational risks from the indoor use of B. bassiana GHA as an active ingredient in Aprehend®. The incidental dermal/inhalation exposures from indoor use will be limited. Any occupational exposures to applicators handling B. bassiana GHA are expected to be minimized by label precautions and the use of the required PPE; which in addition, addresses the general concern for potential allergic sensitization for all microbial pesticides. It is not appropriate to aggregate dietary risk of other B. bassiana GHA products with the risks of dermal sensitization from Aprehend® since the endpoints are different.
(Regulatory Decision for the First Indoor Use of the Active Ingredient Beauveria bassiana strain GHA to Control Bed Bugs. Richard Kegwin, Office of Pesticide Programs, US EPA 02/15/2017)
Does Beauveria have a safety record?Beauveria bassiana is a fungus that is commonly found in the environment, particularly soils in the US and throughout the world. People are constantly exposed to low levels of fungal spores, including Beauveria spp. on a daily basis. In fact, the commercial product Botanigard®, which also contains the same GHA strain that is in Aprehend®, has been used to control pests in vegetable products in the US and worldwide for the past 20 years. Products can be sprayed with Botanigard® (Beauveria GHA) on the day that they are harvested and sent to the store. It's likely that the tomatoes in your home refrigerator have been sprayed with Beauveria (GHA) spores prior to harvesting, particularly if they are organic. Because of its long-standing and widespread use, Beauveria GHA already has an outstanding safety record.
What about people with compromised immune systems, and other medical issues?A complete and thorough search of the scientific literature resulted in the identification of just seven reports of human infection by 'Beauveria' species worldwide. In all reports, the patient was immunocompromised and the specific source of the infection was unknown. In ALL cases the infection was successfully treated with routine antifungal medication, with no further repercussions. However, there have been NO incidents of human infection attributed to commercial isolate GHA, which has been in widespread use for the past 20 years. This absence of any negative human effects attributed to the GHA isolate is significant. Even Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Brewer's/Baker's yeast), considered to be the least dangerous fungal species, has been found to be responsible for invasive, infection in immunocompromised patients in 72 published cases.
While it is clear that no pesticide should be considered completely safe, the risk associated with the use of Aprehend® according to label instructions is extremely low.
What about allergy sufferers?Allergic responses can be triggered by the inhalation of any proteinaceous dust, these include fungal spores, pollen, insect skin fragments, animal dander etc. The fungal spores in Aprehend® are formulated in a proprietary oil formulation, which is designed to stick the spores to the surface where they are applied. The Aprehend® label requires that residents do not re-enter their property for 4 hours after treatment. This ensures that all aerosolized droplets will have settled. Once applied, the spray residue sticks to the surface and will not become airborne again, so there is no risk of inhaling fungal spores, providing the label instructions have been followed. Aprehend® is applied to areas where human contact is likely to be minimal; this helps to ensure the spray barrier remains in place and is effective for up to three months. Even direct skin contact with the spray residue is unlikely to cause any adverse or allergic response.
Will customers be put off by the idea of fungus being sprayed inside their homes?As we know, 'fungus' means different things to different people. Many fungi are used in food products such as cheese - Brie, Camembert, and blue cheeses (Penicillium spp.), quorn™- fungal protein-based meat alternative (Fusarium sp.), soy sauce (Aspergillus sp.), and of course edible mushrooms (Agaricus, Lentinus, Pluerotus).
Beauveria bassiana causes disease in insects. Interestingly, Beauveria infected silk worm larvae have been used Chinese medicine for centuries. Infected larvae are eaten whole or ground into powder and consumed, to cure a range of intestinal and liver complaints.
Essentially, it's all about the perception and while they describe the same thing, using a 'natural disease of insects' may sound more palatable than 'fungus spores.'
Can the fungus grow inside people’s houses – particularly damp ones?Beauveria cannot and will not grow in people's houses. Under normal humidity conditions, it will not even germinate unless it is in contact with a bed bug. At very high humidity (>90%), the microscopic spores in the spray residue may germinate, but no visible growth will occur, and the spore will just go on to die because it has no food source to utilize. Typical mold fungi (Aspergillus and Penicillium) have specific enzymes that allow them to break down cellulose and lignin and are adapted to growth in structural environments. You can see these fungi because they grow and produce new spores (the green coloration) using the wood or plasterboard as a food source. Beauveria does not produce these enzymes and cannot grow in these environments.
If Aprehend® is non-toxic, how does it kill bed bugs?The fungus in Aprehend® is an infectious agent, not a toxin; it kills by penetration of the insect cuticle and growth inside the blood system (hemocoel) of the bed bug. The fungus is not infectious to humans, as it is a specialist insect pathogen. It cannot grow at human body temperature.
Has Aprehend® been tested on humans?No, human testing is never conducted on pesticide products. There are a specific set of animal test protocols that are required by the EPA, and these were part of the regulatory dossier submitted for Aprehend®.
Human testing is only conducted on drugs for treating human diseases; the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates these. However, commercial use, and resulting human exposure to the GHA Beauveria strain in the US, South America and Europe over the past 20 years, has resulted in no reported adverse human health effects. GHA cannot grow at human body temperature (98°F). The EPA assessment of Beauveria is that it poses a very low risk to humans when used according to label instructions, in both horticultural and domestic environments.
What about the signal words – Caution and Danger?The Aprehend® SDS uses the signal word 'Danger' because some of the components of the oil formulation are 'Petroleum Distillates.' These products should not be inhaled. For this reason, respiratory protection must be worn during application of Aprehend® and residents should not re-enter areas where application has taken place for 4 hours. This ensures that all spray droplets have settled and no longer pose an inhalation risk. Occasionally it is possible to see a spray 'mist' during application of Aprehend®; this mist is comprised of tiny aerosolized oil droplets, which will settle within three hours of application. Always check that your application speed and distance from the target surface are correct. Spray application, at a distance of 3-4” and a speed of 4-5 seconds per yard, will provide the most efficient application and minimal spray mist formation.
Chemical vs. biological riskIn theory, there should be no difference in the health risks associated with the use of either chemical or biological pesticides when used according to label instructions. However, we have to accept that there will be occurrences where products may not have been applied appropriately. The negative health effects associated with chemical pesticides include, dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological, carcinogenic, respiratory, reproductive, and endocrine effects. High occupational, accidental, or intentional exposure to pesticides can result in hospitalization and death.
While chemical pesticide residues from appropriately applied products do not exceed the legislatively determined safe levels, these may underestimate the real health risk if simultaneous exposure to pesticides from two or more sources occurs (e.g. from chemical application inside the home, and via residues on food products). Often, the effects of chemical pesticide exposure can go unnoticed, but the long-term effects can result in significant health impacts.
Conversely, due to its non-toxic nature, cumulative exposure to biological products such as Aprehend® via different sources, would not increase the risk of health impacts.
Referenced: http://www.aprehend.com/safety-faq/
