Toxicity of selected essential oils against bed bugs, Cimex lectularius

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius (L.), is a blood-sucking insect which had a global resurgence during recent years. One factor contributed to the resurgence of bed bugs is their widespread insecticide resistance among wild populations; thus, the investigation of novel pesticides is needed. The potential of essential oils in bed bug control has been studied recently. Compared to conventional insecticides, essential oil-based products are much safer. Some of them showed significant effects as pesticides or deterrents, making them feasible alternatives to traditional insecticides for controlling bed bug infestations in sensitive environments. Yet, there is little information on the relative toxicity of essential oils against bed bugs. In this study, we compared the toxicity of a series of essential oils. We found significant differences in their toxicity. Promising candidates were identified for further studies.