Compositions and methods for bed bug control using entomopathogenic fungi

Abstract

Barrier treatment compositions using conidia of entomopathogenic fungi and methods for applying and using the same for bed bug population control and prevention are disclosed. The compositions and methods of the invention provide residual biopesticides control for bed bug populations using barrier treatment compositions transferring conidia of entomopathogenic fungi to a population of bed bugs providing effective kill within about 24 hours to about 10 days. The compositions and methods provide significantly enhanced horizontal transmission of the conidia of the entomopathogenic fungi providing enhanced bed bug control without detrimental effects of bed bug tolerance, resistance and/or negative impact on humans or animals contacting the residual biopesticides.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A barrier treatment composition for bed bug control and/or prophylaxis comprising:
 a substrate surface;   a source of an entomopathogenic fungi formulated in oil or an oil-based aqueous mixture or suspension; and   an optional natural or artificial lure to attract bed bugs to said barrier treatment composition,   wherein said entomopathogenic fungi is a viable source of fungal conidia and is applied onto the substrate surface to create the barrier treatment composition having a concentration of at least about 100 conidia/cm 2 , and   wherein the oil formulation is odorless and clear.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said entomopathogenic fungi is a  Deuteromycete  fungus. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said entomopathogenic fungi is  Beauveria bassiana.    
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said entomopathogenic fungi is applied to said substrate surface having a spore concentration between about 3×10 3  conidia/cm 2  to about 3×10 10  conidia/cm 2 . 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said fungal conidia is applied onto the substrate surface that is texturized. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate surface is selected from the group consisting of a bed frame, headboard, door, window trim, light switch, baseboard, carpet, linens, mattress, dresser, drawer, suitcase and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate surface is selected from the group consisting of fabric, wood, laminate and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said lure is a human source of blood for feeding by said bed bugs, a heat source, a carbon dioxide source, a pheromone or other attractant. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said entomopathogenic fungi has a maintained potency of up to 3 months. 
     
     
         10 . A method for controlling and/or prevent bed bug populations using a biopesticide comprising:
 providing a barrier treatment composition comprising a substrate surface treated with an entomopathogenic fungi formulated in oil or an oil-based aqueous mixture or suspension, wherein said entomopathogenic fungi is a viable source of fungal conidia and is applied onto the substrate surface to create the barrier treatment composition having a concentration of at least about 100 conidia/cm 2 ;   contacting a portion of a bed bug population with the barrier treatment composition, wherein said contacting is the bed bug crossing the surface;   causing the horizontal transmission of the conidia to an additional population of bed bugs;   killing said first and second populations of bed bugs; and   providing residual or prophylactic protection against additional bed bug populations.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said bed bugs are selected from the group consisting of  Cimex lectularius  and  Cimex adjunctus.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said entomopathogenic fungi is a  Deuteromycete  fungus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said entomopathogenic fungi is applied to said substrate surface having a spore concentration between about 3×10 3  conidia/cm 2  to about 3×10 10  conidia/cm 2 . 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said fungal conidia is applied onto said substrate surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said horizontal transmission of said entomopathogenic fungi provides access to bed bugs within a harborage. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said bed bugs are killed within about 24 hours to about 10 days. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said killing of bed bug populations results in up to 100% kill efficacy within less than 10 days. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said killing of bed bug populations results in up to 100% kill efficacy within less than 5 days. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said killing of bed bug populations results in up to 100% kill efficacy within less than 3 days. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said killing of the bed bug populations provides superior control in comparison to use of pyrethroid insecticides and wherein the providing a barrier treatment composition is prophylactic.