Daily Archives: November 12, 2010

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug News, Bed Bugs, Commercial Services, News, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Residential Services

New York City’s Bed Bug War Rages On

Bed bugs have taken New York by storm.  They have reared their ugly beaks in bedrooms, hotels, theaters, office buildings, retail stores, courtrooms, taxi cabs, and now three locations of the District Attorney’s offices.  You can’t send children to school in New York City without the fear of them bringing home blood sucking bed bugs either as the parasite has been found in many of the public schools so far this year.

Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer, is calling for an all out war to be waged against bed bugs in New York City.  For many residents of the city, they have already been called up to active duty in what appears to be a never ending battle against the blood sucking insects that are plaguing one of the greatest cities in the world!  Scott Stringer told the Daily News “We should deal with bedbugs the way we deal with crime spikes, and we need to do it before it gets out of control.”  Mr. Stringer’s call to arms is great news as any additional help fighting the little vampires would be welcomed by those who are suffering…but many would agree that the bed bug situation in New York City is already out of control, and has been for quite some time!

Because of the massive increase in bed bug reports over previous years within the NYC school system, Stringer considers the public school system as the frontline in the battle against bed bugs.  Stringer’s idea is to hire an army of inspectors and exterminators to search and destroy bed bugs within the schools.  Parents and teachers would likely welcome more NYC pest control specialists on site, but there is “substantial resource constraints” according to Daniel Kass, a deputy commissioner for the city Health Department.

Currently, if a bed bug is found at a NYC school, it is to be captured on a piece of tape and sent to the DOE for “confirmation”.  Sadly, many teachers claim that they have found bed bugs in their school, sent it to the DOE, but no extermination services have been provided or extermination services took weeks to arrive.  Bed bugs multiply quickly and can be transported easily, so there is a huge reason to be concerned about bed bugs within the NYC school system.

Once bed bugs are found at a NYC school, business, home, etc, it is important to have a treatment plan in place. Having a licensed NYC pest control specialist at the ready at NYC schools would be a great way to limit exposure to students, teachers, and staff as well.

Bed Bug News, Bed Bug Resources

NPMA is Working Hard to Create Industry Standards and Treatment Guidelines for Bed Bug Services

NPMA Blue Ribbon Panel and convention attendees.
NPMA Blue Ribbon Panel and convention attendees listen to the discussions.

NPMA is Working Hard to Create Industry Standards and Treatment Guidelines for Bed Bug Services
Just this last month in Hawaii at the National Pest Management Association convention a special Blue Ribbon panel gathered to start discussion on the creation of industry standards or best practice guidelines for bed bug pest control professionals. Topics that were discussed included:

• The need for company and technician training programs and certifications for bed bug treatment.

• Identification of the types of standards or best practices needed for bed bug inspections, treatment, and monitoring.

• Policy initiatives for bed bug extermination and consumer education that should be pursued at the national and legislative level.

• Discussion of the type, amount and funding of bed bug research still to be done.

• Efficacy of products and services (what works and what doesn’t)

With many NPMA convention attendees sitting in on this special Blue Ribbon panel session, the gathering became a rapid fire yet thought provoking conversation. Many pest control professionals expressed their desire to have the NPMA create bed bug certification programs, technician training modules, and fund or identify additional research on bed bug extermination protocols.

Of interest was the discussion on of the creation of industry standards on bed bug extermination or the creation of industry best practices. Several convention attendees expressed to the panel that consumers are the ones who would really benefit from industry certifications and that these programs including best practices/guidelines should be fast tracked.

Numerous pest control firm owners called for the creation of a certification standards for bed bug dogs; allowing for industry standardization in regards to dog training and the measuring of the success rate of bed bug identification.
With bed bugs becoming a national epidemic, the National Pest Management Association is leading the way in creating and shaping the message that will help consumers and pest professionals alike identify solutions and protocols for the effective and efficient treatment of bed bugs. The task seems huge but is necessary.

It is time for pest professionals to take action on this important issue. We commend the National Pest Management Association for spearheading this important initiative that is sure to benefit all impacted by bed bugs.
The next Blue Ribbon panel will be meeting on January 5th 2011 in Denver, Colorado at the National Bed Bug Forum. All convention attendees are invited to sit in on the panel’s second meeting.