Korean J Health Promot.  2023 Dec;23(4):217-225. 10.15384/kjhp.2023.23.4.217.

Comparison of Heat Treatments by Floor Heating and Fan Heating for Bed Bug Control

• Kim T
• Park S

• KMID: 2549692
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15384/kjhp.2023.23.4.217

Abstract

Background
Non-chemical methods are as important as pesticides to control bed bugs. The most effective method is heat treatment. Underfloor heating is widely used in residential buildings in Korea, and the benefits of floor heating can be utilized in heat treatment for bed bug control.
Methods
Simulations of indoor air flow and heat transfer were performed to compare and analyze the temperature distributions with different heating methods for bed bug control using floor heating and fan heater methods.
Results
Even though the average indoor temperature of floor heating was lower, it was more uniform with floor heating than that of fan heating under the assumed conditions. Local cold spots disappeared with the floor heating method.
Conclusions
It was confirmed that floor heating has advantages over fan heating to achive uniform high temperatures during heat treatment for exterminating bed bugs.

Keyword

Cimex lectularius, Bed bug, Insect control, Heating; Cimex lectularius, 빈대, 곤충 구제, 난방

Figure

• 

  Figure 1. Configuration of a room for heating simulations. The gap between the wall and housewares are 30 mm, and all properties are assumed to be uniform within each object. The fan heater outlet is directed towards the bed headboard.

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  Figure 2. Schematics of room heating methods; floor heating (A) and fan heating (B). Floor heating method is typically accomplished by underfloor water pipings which provide uniform temperature underside of floor material. Fan heating method is when an electrical fan heater is located inside the room which pull in the room air and supplies heated air.

• 

  Figure 3. Cross-section view of air velocity induced by different heating methods. (A) and (B) are showing air velocity streamlines and air velocity magnitude contour with floor heating condition. (C) and (D) are showing fan heating condition. (E) Is showing the projection plane for (A-D) with the arrow indicating the viewpoint direction.

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  Figure 4. Top view of surface temperatures and cross-section temperature distributions. (A) and (B) are showing top view of surface temperature and side view of cross-section temperature with floor heating condition. (C)and (D) are showing fan heating condition. (E) and (F) are showing the projection plane for (A, C) and (B, D) respectively with the arrows indicating the viewpoint directions.

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  Figure 5. Front view and left view of surface temperatures on housewares. (A) and (B) are showing front view of surface temperature and left view of surface temperature with floor heating condition. (C) and (D) are showing fan heating condition. (E) and (F) are showing the projection plane for (A, C) and (B, D) respectively with the arrows indicating the viewpoint directions.

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