Pest Management Professional, January 2019

By Diane Sofranec PMP Senior Editor 2018 Global Bed Bug Summit More than 500 pest management professionals PMPs researchers suppliers and distributors descended on Denver Colo Nov 27 29 for the Global Bed Bug Summit The biennial event presented by the National Pest Management Association NPMA and sponsored by BedBug Central has been going strong since 2010 A record number of attendees turned out to learn more about the latest bed bug control methods from researchers PMPs and industry suppliers Here are some highlights NPMA entomologist Dr Brittany Campbell kicked off the Global Bed Bug Summit with a review of the history and biology of the pesky bloodsuckers Although it was early in the morning the room was packed as she presented fascinating facts and new research results Since the first Global Bed Bug Summit in 2010 weve really gotten a handle on bed bug control but were still seeing an increase she said That means bed bugs have not gone anywhere they are still here to stay Dr Dini Miller an urban pest management specialist for the Commonwealth of Virginia at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Virginia Tech Blacksburg Va broke down the latest bed bug research Its been very interesting watching the trajectory of our knowledge increase over time with bed bugs she said The data she shared from studies conducted at Virginia Tech and elsewhere provided proof of that Jeff White technical director for Bed Bug Central led a panel discussion about being proactive instead of reactive when it comes to bed bug management The panel featured PMP Editorial Advisory Board member Judy Black MS BCE CP FS vice president of technical services for Rentokil Steritech and Jeff King president of The Pest Rangers Hanover Township Pa This is largely a single familyhome industry White said So if we could figure out a way to sell 1 PHOTOS DIANE SOFRANEC 2 proactive bed bug programs in these communities we could see some significant increases in revenue During her portion of the session Black joked You can kill bed bugs with Captain Morgan but its a waste of rum PMPs have some unique modes of action available to them now she said and she encouraged attendees to reach out to suppliers to learn more about products they can incorporate into a proactive program Joseph Latino president of Allergy Technologies maker of ActiveGuard Mattress Liners mentioned a unique way of serving the community when he introduced presenter Dr Changiu Wang he and his team compiled a comprehensive database that includes about 75 bed bug management products and welcomed the addition of more Referred to as the Bed Bug Product Matrix it includes downloadable links to the bed bug related research supporting these products found in the public domain The underpinning rationale for developing this dynamic database was to create an objective unbiased compilation of bed bug products to be evaluated on their relative scientific merits he said PMP You can reach SOFRANEC at dsofranec@ northcoastmedia net or 216 706 3793 Roadtrip Roundup 3 1Dominique Stumpf CEO of the NPMA was on hand to welcome attendees and thank them for their professionalism The passion and the commitment to ensure we protect our homes and our families and our customers is really important she said 2The National Pest Management Associations Alexis Wirtz CMP vice president of Conventions and Meetings and BedBug Centrals past president and CEO Phil Cooper took a momentary break from their duties at the Global Bed Bug Summit 3Dr Changiu Wang associate professor of entomology at Rutgers University New Brunswick N J shared research that examined behavior of those with bed bugs In apartments he said beds have more bed bugs than sofas Research also showed women were more likely to report bed bugs than men and newer residents were more likely to have bed bug infestations he said The elimination rate of bed bugs was better when integrated pest management IPM protocols were used 14 January 2019 Pest Management Professional mypmp net