[Bed Bug Supplement] News & Notes

Editor’s note: Suppliers and PMPs, if you have a bed bug control product or service you’d like to have highlighted in an upcoming issue, please send a press release and a high-resolution photo to jdorsch@giemedia.com.

Nuvan Prostrips Prove Helpful When Treating Sensitive Electronic Equipment
Nuvan Prostrips from Amvac Chemical Corporation are labeled for the control of bed bugs and bed bug eggs, providing another treatment alternative for infestations in sensitive electronic equipment. The product utilizes controlled release technology to slowly diffuse a deep, penetrating vapor in enclosed spaces. Containing dichlorvos (DDVP), Nuvan Prostrips go to work immediately with a clean, odorless vapor that leaves no messy residue, according to the manufacturer. They are available in 16-gram and 65-gram sizes.

Nuvan Prostrips can be used to control crawling bed bug nymphs and adults exposed to product vapors for 48 hours. In difficult-to-treat areas, a minimum treatment time of 72 hours is recommended by the manufacturer. Strips may be used to control bed bugs that have entered various items in infested structures including, but not limited to: computers, printers, appliances, footwear, artwork, plush toys, clocks, radios, telephones, mattresses, box springs, books, lamps, furniture and other items.

The label states: “Place infested items in a suitable plastic bag, poly sheeting, container or room that is closed to contain the strip treatment. Plastic bags or poly sheeting should be at least 2 millimeters thick. The closed volume for treatment should not exceed the volume to be treated for the size of the strip used. Take care to avoid direct contact of the strip with the surface of items being treated. Seal items in the containment for a minimum of 48 hours to kill bed bug nymphs and adults. To kill any bed bug eggs, if suspected to be present, seal items in the treated space for seven days. Seal plastic bags and poly sheeting with as much air space around the treated article as is practical as this will enhance the exposure to the product vapors. Proper seal can be attained by any appropriate manner such as the use of tape, twist ties or other means. Professionals should test for adequate seal by testing for the escape of air from the sealed bag. Identify sealed treatment by a label indicating a pesticide treatment is in process that should not be disturbed by unauthorized persons. The label should include the date, pest professional or company responsible and contact telephone number. When treatment is completed, remove treated items from the treatment in a well-ventilated area and air out for a period of no less than two hours.”

For additional information about Nuvan Prostrips and their use in bed bug control programs, visit www.amvac-chemical.com.

BedBug Central Hosts Boot Camp Roadshow
More than 100 pest control professionals registered for BedBug Central’s Boot Camp Roadshow in Kansas City, Mo., July 30-31. Attendees for the two-day event traveled from as far away as Texas and Michigan to learn from leaders in bed bug control to learn the latest techniques for controlling bed bugs.

Jeffrey White, BedBug Central technical director, opened the seminar with information on the biology and behavior of bed bugs. The theme of the presentation was to use bed bugs’ behavior against them. The information focused on actionable information. A foundational element of his approach was to classify the severity of bed bug infestations into low, medium and high. He reviewed methods for controlling bed bugs in single-family homes, apartment buildings and office buildings. White said elimination of bed bugs was possible for most cases. In fact, he explained that bed bugs were easy to control provided the infestation was in the low category and the client was cooperative.

Danny White presents “The Business of Bed Bugs” at the Roadshow.

Jeffrey White’s younger brother Danny White, also a speaker, has years of experience as a bed bug account representative. He gave attendees an inside look at the business operations of a bed bug business. He detailed everything from guarantees to how to avoid legal traps that expose pest control companies to unnecessary liabilities. Using an Excel spreadsheet, Danny showed how an exact price quote could be provided for clients and how attendees could develop their own pricing system.

But the seminar wasn’t all lecture. On day one, attendees saw demonstrations on the use of heat to treat bed bugs. Dan Bradbury of Quest heated a conference side room so that attendees could experience the effectiveness of electric heating units. Corey Westrum, owner of Insect Inferno, showcased his propane-heated trailer that fills the niche between heating structures and chemical treatments. He explained how the trailer provided a cost-effective way to treat furniture and other movable items.

On day two, Jeffrey White demonstrated how to handle commonly infested furniture. He showed how to properly steam items to ensure effective killing of bed bugs. Perhaps more importantly, he provided ample warnings about how not to use steam. Chemical treatment was discussed also, particularly how to use liquid residuals in combination with dusts like diatomaceous earth to eliminate bed bugs. — Stephen M. Vantassel

Allergy Technologies Hosts “Evening on the Island”
Pest management professionals from across the country gathered at Allergy Technologies’ “Evening on the Island” event during PestWorld 2012 in October to discuss industry news in a social atmosphere. About 150 PMPs attended the event.

The event was hosted by Allergy Technologies, manufacturer of ActiveGuard Mattress Liners.

“PMPs attending PestWorld have a diverse variety of evening activities available to them, but we wanted to host a ‘party’ in the truest sense of the word so that industry professionals could gather and relax,” said Joseph Latino, chief operating officer. “For that reason the event was designed as a social gathering with no product or sales pitches. We’ve heard from many PMPs since who have thanked us for hosting such a unique event.”

The room was transformed into a tropical motif, complete with rattan furniture, uplighting of tropical trees in ActiveGuard’s blue and fresh tropical arrangements throughout. In keeping with the Boston locale, Allergy Technologies provided a full raw bar, lobster rolls and other fresh fish.

This event followed Allergy Technologies’ nationwide promotion “Take the ActiveGuard Challenge,” in which PMPs who purchased ActiveGuard Mattress Liners were given a chance to win a new iPad with every order. The promotion ran from July through September.

ActiveGuard is the only standalone proactive strategy for preventing a potential bed bug infestation, the firm said. According to Allergy Technologies, these liners kill bed bugs within 72 hours, and kill bed bugs and dust mites continuously for up to two years.

For additional information, visit www.allergytechnologies.com.

BedBug Central’s Holiday Charity Provides National Relief from Bed Bugs
BedBug Central once again partnered with bedbugFREE pest management firms across the country to donate bed bug treatment and services to those in need as part of its “Taking the Bite Out of the Holidays” program, created by research entomologist Jeff White of BedBug Central.

The program began in 2009 with seven companies donating more than $40,000 in bed bug treatment services to those in need. In 2010, the amount of participating companies nearly quadrupled. In 2010, 27 companies donated more than $300,000 worth of services across the nation for the annual holiday charity event.

White said he created the charity after seeing first-hand how difficult it can be for non-profits and individuals in need to obtain effective bed bug services.

“The holiday season is a time of giving and we know firsthand how difficult and expensive bed bugs can be to eliminate,” says White. “Therefore we want to help in any way we can and provide some relief to those in need and let them focus on enjoying the holidays with family and friends. If we have accomplished this than we have succeeded at our goal.”

In order to reach as many needy individuals and charities as possible, BedBug Central enlists the help of its bedbugFREE network, a network of like-minded companies that agree with the philosophies and treatment methods of Bed Bug Central.

BedBug Central President and CEO Phil Cooper said he is thrilled that “Taking the Bite Out of the Holidays” is expanding each year and aiding more individuals in need.

“There is no better feeling than helping those in need,” says Cooper. “We are extremely thankful for the support of our bedbugFREE members and their generous donations of products, services and time during the holiday season.”

To learn more, visit www.bedbugcentral.com.

Bed Bug Body Guard Inspection Suit Introduced by Mattress Safe
Mattress Safe recently introduced the Bed Bug Body Guard inspection suit. Designed as a full body suit made of a breathable, soft and durable fabric, Mattress Safe’s new inspection suit provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional disposable inspection suits, the firm says. The new Bed Bug Body Guard inspection suit by Mattress Safe provides technicians in the field protection from these pests during a treatment as well as a method to detect and aid preventing bed bugs from traveling home with the technician. Mattress Safe also supplies a LaundrySafe encasement for washing and storage, which is included with each Bed Bug Body Guard inspection suit.

Visit www.mattresssafe.com to learn more.

CIRKIL Products Released Nationwide at NPMA PestWorld
Terramera, a firm developing biopharma products for pest management, in October launched its CIRKIL product line at PestWorld 2012 in Boston. The company’s flagship product is CIRKIL for bed bug control. CIRKIL is available in concentrate form (CIRKIL CX) or in a ready-to-use spray (CIRKIL RTU). Both product types work against all stages of a bed bug’s life cycle including eggs, the firm says.

CIRKIL is the first EPA-registered biopesticide proven to effectively control bed bugs and the first pesticide known to kill bed bug eggs as a residual treatment, Terramera reports.

CIRKIL can be used against all stages of the bed bug life cycle and as a residual treatment. CIRKIL is a biopharma product with the active ingredient naturally derived from neem oil, making the application safe in all settings, the firm says. This means less labor and time application requirements since rooms do not need to be cleared of personal items such as clothing and linens before applying CIRKIL, the manufacturer reports.

Terramera is a Vancouver-based company founded in 2009 with the mission to provide safe and innovative pest management products for every person and family.

For more information, visit www.terramera.com.

KPCA Members Lend a Hand to Homeless Shelter
As part of its Bed Bug Boot Camp and Bed Bug Charity Day, the Kansas Pest Control Association (KPCA) sent 16 representatives to provide bed bug services to the Forest Avenue Family Shelter in Kansas City. The members attended a two-day course in the treatment of bed bugs and spent a third day implementing the techniques learned.

KPCA chose to assist the Forest Avenue Family Shelter after interviewing its director, Janice Hardin. The shelter had been trying to treat its bed bug issue for several months with limited success. “You absolutely do not know how much I have been praying for help with the bed bugs. Any improvement is worth millions,” Hardin said. The shelter is associated with Great Commission Ministries, USA (GCM-USA) and seeks to meet the spiritual and physical needs of Kansas City’s homeless through soup, soap and salvation, the group says. The shelter houses homeless women and women with children. Services include shelter, meals, life skills classes and case management.

“The shelter has done all they can to solve this infestation on their own, however bed bugs are a challenge especially in a home of this size and at this level of infestation,” said board member and participant Travis Aggson of American Pest Management. “We are honored to be able to provide our knowledge and expertise to solve this bed bug infestation.” Altogether, 13 pest management professionals from three companies, two suppliers and a distributor participated in the event. Donated services included installation of insect interceptors, heat treatment of facilities and infested furniture, chemical treatments and public health educational seminars. In addition, Winfield Pest Solutions donated more than 200 Bed Bug ClimbUp Interceptor devices and 22 Mattress Safe twin mattress encasements; Pest Control Supplies, 26 mattress encasements; Univar, four mattress encasements and bed bug monitors; BASF, all treatment materials; and BedBug Central, a commercial steamer and heating unit for use when new families check in.

The event’s success prompted KPCA to continue Bed Bug Charity Day as an annual event, with the hope of further expanding the number of participants and impact. “We’re very excited about the participation and impact we have had on the shelter,” said Kyle Litton, KPCA president and owner of General Pest Control.

The 16 participants were Travis Aggson, Robert McElwain, Joey Hoke and Mike Dent of American Pest Management; Chris Augustine, Robert Croom, Brian Wood, Joseph Ruckert, Jim Ingalls and Chuck Stover of Augustine Exterminators; Kyle Litton, Tim Nation, Marcus Koehn and Paul Wilson of General Pest Control; Jason Meyers of BASF; Jack Watkins of Rhodes Chemical; and Robert DiJoseph of BedBug Central. For more information on KPCA, visit www.kansaspest.com.

Daimer Releases Steam Cleaner to Kill Bed Bugs
Daimer Industries offering its KleenJet Mega 1000CVP ATIS, which the firm says is certified as a pesticide device according to the EPA.

The Mega 1000CVP ATIS is a professional steam cleaner targeted to those professionals involved with pest control, as well others in the hospitality industry, the firm says. Every 1000CVP ATIS commercial steam cleaner machine’s label contains an EPA number.

Daimer’s patented technologies help PMPs kill bed bugs with high temperature vapor steam flow while an extraction system removes the carcasses from the surface. “Daimer is proud to offer the cleaning industry’s only certified pesticide steam vac device, which has even been proven to kill deadly bacteria,” said spokesman Matthew Baratta.

The KleenJet Mega 1000CVP ATIS steam cleaner is the upgraded version of the company’s 1000CV model. The machine’s pressure is up to 105 psi with the emission of low-moisture vapor containing 5 percent water. The machine generates temperatures up to 356°F.

The 1000CVP’s “dry” vapor flow ensures successful bed bug control, Daimer says, while providing for drier mattresses and other surfaces after application.

To learn more, visit www.daimer.com/steam-cleaners/kleenjet-1000cvp.htm.

Protect-A-Bed, Mattress Direct Donate to ‘Homes For Our Troops’
In August, Mattress Direct and Protect-A-Bed donated $4,000 to Home for Our Troops, a national non-profit organization dedicated to assisting injured veterans and their immediate families.

(L to R): Dan Robinson, Protect-A-Bed; Jeff Argrave, Homes For Our Troops; Ty Hingle and Lee Burns, Mattress Direct.

To coincide with Independence Day, Protect-A-Bed and Mattress Direct encouraged Facebook fans to show support for veterans. From June 30 through July 15, fans showed support by “liking” various Facebook pages, photos and messages. The donation helped fund the organization’s mission to build specially adapted homes for service members who have been severely injured in combat since Sept. 11, 2001.

Recently, Homes for Our Troops has helped build homes for four injured service members in Louisiana. According to Veterans Affairs reports, nearly half of all veterans from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom who live in Louisiana have sought medical care from Veterans Affairs facilities.

“We have been able to build over 100 homes across the country only through the generosity and patriotism of organizations like Protect-A-Bed and Mattress Direct, that have stepped up to do their part in aiding our severely injured veterans,” said Kenneth Preston, president, Homes for Our Troops.