Allergy Technologies Presents on Pest-Free Affordable Housing at NAHRO Conference

© Allergy Technologies

ORLANDO, Fla. — Allergy Technologies President Joseph Latino and Senior Vice President Dominique Sauvage gave a presentation about addressing the formidable challenges that affordable housing communities face when attempting to remediate bedbugs and other public health nuisance pests at the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) National Conference and Exhibition in September, in Orlando, Fla. 

The presentation countered the common misconception among housing authorities that pests are just a fact of life. Using case studies, Latino demonstrated that the sustainable ATAHC and ATAHC Plus Programs can help communities become more than 95 percent pest-free while delegating the time-consuming responsibilities pest issues require to a highly trained, independent 3rd party with full oversight over the pest control process. 

“Traditionally, the pest control model has been a 'whack-a-mole' approach,” said Latino. “You may get rid of bed bugs in one apartment only to see them pop up in another down the hall or on a different floor.” 

By taking a systematic, facility-wide control and preventive approach, ATAHC is highly effective and greatly improves ‘quality of life’ for residents and staff, Latino said. The program aims to reduce complaints about bed bugs and other public health nuisance pests and lightens staff workload, allowing them to focus on other important community issues. 

“This turnkey strategy for the prevention and control of bed bugs and other pests in affordable housing has been extremely well received,” Sauvage said. “Particularly because it not only saves time and money for the managers of affordable housing communities, but also improves the day-to-day lives of both residents and staff in the industry in tangible ways. ATAHC faces many of the challenges associated with pest control in affordable housing by partnering directly with residents and staff, and earning their cooperation and collaboration buy-in by focusing on dignity, compassion, empathy, and respect in everything we do.” 

To learn more about NAHRO, visit https://www.nahro.org.