Controlling Bed Bugs with Solvent Vapors

Abstract

The present invention provides an environmentally safe and highly effective method for killing bed bugs by enclosing infested items, belongings or possessions in a sealed container along with a small amount of certain solvents, the vapors of which kill bed bugs that are present.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for killing bed bugs comprising the steps of:
 1) placing a bed bug infested item into a sealable container,   2) placing at least one solvent into the container, and   3) sealing the container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one solvent comprises a solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, ethyl acetate, hexane, toluene, methyl chloride, chloroform and acetonitrile. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the at least one solvent is present in the sealed container in a concentration of about 1% to 50% by volume saturation in air. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the at least one solvent is present in the sealed container in a concentration of about 2% to 10% by volume saturation in air. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the at least one solvent is isopropyl alcohol. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sealed container is maintained at ambient temperature until said bed bugs are killed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sealed container is maintained at a temperature of about 40° C., or less, until said bed bugs are killed. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sealed container is maintained at a temperature of about 40° C., or less to decontaminate electrical equipment, clothes, luggage and insect monitors. 
     
     
         9 . A method for killing bed bug eggs comprising the steps of:
 1) placing a bed bug egg infested item into a sealable container,   2) placing at least one solvent into the container, and   3) sealing the container.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the at least one solvent is isopropyl alcohol. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the sealed container is maintained at ambient temperature until said bed bugs are killed. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the sealed container is maintained at a temperature of about 40° C., or less, until said bed bugs are killed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the sealed container is maintained at a temperature of about 40° C., or less to decontaminate electrical equipment, clothes, luggage and insect monitors.