BACKTALK

QUESTIONABLE COLUMN?
I generally enjoy Richard Kramer’s Technically Speaking columns. However, I think his March 2002 column about the sources of bed bug infestations from Eastern Europe or elsewhere, and of certain people having a “higher tolerance” for bed bugs with allusions to the “Berlin Wall,” lacks any substantiation other than the most remote anecdotal conclusion. One case does not prove a theory. We must be careful not to hang our prejudgments out on the line for everyone to see.

Certainly, there are circumstances and situations that favor bed bugs, such as the sale of used mattresses without proper inspections (many jurisdictions used to have stringent laws about the sale of mattresses). And tracing a source of infestation to a hostel begs the obvious as there would be a higher risk in that situation based purely on numbers of people who use the facility. While I am sure that Kramer did not intend a discriminatory point of view, I’m afraid that in the absence of real data, this kind of presumption is at best speculative and at worst inappropriate. If there were a bundle of data to show that this was the case we then could speculate on the impact of poverty on hygiene regardless of ethnic origin or other identifiable “differences.”

I know from experience here in Toronto, which is considered to be the most cosmopolitan and multi-cultural city in North America, that every group of people hold good hygiene as of high value. Tolerance of pest problems is sometimes related to fear — when people feel vulnerable and afraid to get help. We, as professionals, should always be careful about these kinds of speculations and the negative impact they can have on others. After all, North Americans in the U.S. and in Canada are largely immigrants. They were not tolerant of ectoparasites and worked hard to be free of vermin.

The subject is controversial in my view and I feel that it is important for our industry to be clear about the difference between fact and speculation. When we speculate, we should then exercise the most careful and sharp judgment so that our words are not misinterpreted. A good speculation should be grounded in a sound premise.

One thing is for sure: there is more research needed on bed bugs.

Sam Bryks
Manager, Pest Control Programs
Metropolitan Toronto
Housing Authority
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

KRAMER’S RESPONSE
Hopefully, I displayed no prejudices in my article on bed bugs. If I did, I apologize. There are a couple of points I would like to make:
• Most bed bug infestations we have encountered in the Washington, D.C., area, have been traced to Eastern Europe.
• I do not feel that bed bug infestations are the result of poor housekeeping, poor hygiene or other cultural practices. However, once an infestation is encountered it is easily spread in personal belongings, particularly by people in transit.
• With regard to tolerance, every society and walk of life has varying degrees of tolerance to insects. Some people are horrified by the presence of one lady bug, while others find no offense at living with thousands of cockroaches. My experience over many years in this industry and the military is that various cultures accept certain pests and pest levels. This does not make them culturally inferior, filthy or any other disparaging adjective. I frequently think that the U.S. expectation of a pest-free environment is unrealistic.

In the future, I will keep the constructive nature of Bryks’ comments in mind.

Richard Kramer
Technical Director
American Pest Management
Takoma Park, Md.

GREAT PCT COLUMN
I want to congratulate Dan Moreland for his March 2002 Viewpoint about the death of LiphaTech’s Joe Cheshire.

As someone who has had some health problems the past few years and has overcome them, I can relate to Moreland’s commentary. After the events of Sept. 11, we should all be happy to just be alive and be thankful for every day we are around.

I did not know Joe Cheshire well and after reading about his life accomplishments, I only wish that I would have made the effort to know him better.

Gary Schlosberg
National Sales Manager
JT Eaton
Twinsburg, Ohio

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEGISLATIVE DAY
I wanted to publicly thank FMC Corporation for their kindness in presenting me with its FMC Legislative Award.

FMC should be proud of its long-standing dedication and loyal support of NPMA’s Legislative Day. The growth of Legislative Day and thus its impact on our industry is a direct result of FMC’s financial commitment and our industry’s members working together to bring about change through unity.

For anyone who did not attend, you should. Without widespread support from our industry Legislative Day cannot continue to grow. Thanks to FMC the cost to attend is minimal and the time invested is short. Please challenge yourself next year.

Robert L. Kunst
President
Fischer Environmental Services
Mandeville, La.

Readers with comments are invited to write to PCT Letters, 4012 Bridge Ave., Cleveland OH 44113. Letters also can be faxed to 216/961-0364, or e-mailed to jdorsch@pctonline.com. Letters may be edited for space or clarity.