Continuing From Wednesday…

Bed Bug Prevention and Mitigation Pilot Program – State agencies will be able to apply for special Grants for conducting pilot programs for State and housing authorities. The funds must be used to…

• address “persistent bed bug infestations”

• used for “residents who lack financial resources” to fight bed bug infestations

• used to “retain commercial applicators to perform bed bug prevention and mitigation activities that are proven to effectively control bed bugs”

• “purchase and distribute mattress covers”

• “conduct bed bug monitoring activities”

• “treat used mattresses and furniture using methods proven to control all life stages of bed bugs.”

At the end of 2016, the State agencies who received the special grants would then be required to provide information back to the federal government about how much money was received, how the money was allocated, and information about the success achieved in reducing the bed bug infestation rates by the methods that were used.

If the new legislation were to pass as it is currently written, it would include the following inclusion:

 “the project involves a pest that has been designated as a pest of public health significance by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, as described in section 2 (nn) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 126 (nn)).”  Additionally, the amendment calls for the inclusion of “bed bugs” in the definition of “vector organisms”.

The addition of this wording to federal legislation is significant because it exemplifies the fact that our elected officials are recognizing that bed bugs have become a serious problem and are more than just a nuisance pest throughout the United States.

Stern Environmental Group will be keeping a watchful eye to see if the Congressional Committee approves this important Bill and passes it along to the Senate.