Pest Management Professional, September 2013

ADVERTORIAL Bed bugs get off the bus A mong the many daily phone calls we receive at the Noble Pine Products Co one that stands out occurred on a sunny morning The gentleman on the other end of the line well call him Bob identified himself as a vice president of a major public transportation company in the Midwest The calm in his voice belied his concern about a problem that had been brought to managements attention by several bus drivers they employ As part of protocol Bob told us it was the drivers responsibility to conduct a visual inspection of the bus hed be driving that day Some drivers were dismayed by the surprise of seeing bed bugs While this was understandably unsettling the thought this problem was untenable caused contentious conversations with management Because the population on any public transportation vehicle is transitory management was concerned this problem was chronic and it would require a protocol that could become a part of the daily walkthrough During our conversation we suggested each driver be given a 1 pt container of STERIFAB which could then be applied at the drivers discretion STERIFAB is the only product registered by the U S Environmental Protection Agency that kills bed bugs fleas ticks cockroaches and a host of other insects as well as disinfects Bob realized the wide ranging efficacy was even more attractive We also explained STERIFAB had been marketed since 1967 and was the only product required by law in many states for the rental and or sale of used mattresses upholstered furniture hospital beds used stuffed childrens toys and wheelchairs In addition it contains a benign tracer that with specific ultraviolet light and magnification allows the user or additional person s to corroborate it was applied With this added benefit there would be no treated area that couldnt be confirmed using these methods Mark House vice president of operations We also explained to Bob STERIFAB wasnt a residual product allowing passengers and others to enter the vehicle without being exposed to the product We suggested applying STERIFAB into workers locker rooms waiting areas offices etc would extend the protection for the rest of the employees too and any problems brought back with a driver wouldnt spread We worked with Bob to write a protocol for treatment options on each bus as well as additional suggestions such as regular vacuuming with a unit using a high efficiency particulate air HEPA filter visible clues for bed bugs etc that reduce potential problems significantly along with applying STERIFAB We also advised Bob to hire professional pest management company for regular inspections Since Bob has reported the success of the program has kept the bed bug problem in check and given the large number of employees at his company added peace of mind Additionally weve been advised this program has been shared and replicated by other transit organizations which creates a new selling opportunities for PMPs throughout the country www mypmp net Pest Management Professional September 2013 121