PCT Announces Virtual Bed Bug Conference

CLEVELAND — PCT is proud to announce the upcoming Virtual Bed Bug Conference, scheduled for April 13, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (EST).

Description: Bed bugs continue to keep phones ringing off the hook for pest control operators and this segment shows no signs of slowing down. From the comfort of your home or office, learn from industry-leading bed bug experts, who will share the latest bed bug research findings and practical tips for dealing with bed bugs including traditional and “out-of-the-box” control options. The half-day virtual event is designed for pest management professionals, technical directors and service technicians.

Sponsors: PCT would like to thank our sponsors — Bed Bug Central and EcoRaider — for helping to make this event possible.

Registration information: For only $99 per person, attendees will gain access to the half-day educational program. Each registered attendee will also receive a link to an online copy of the webinar. The link to the virtual conference content will be sent approximately 5 – 10 business days after the event.  CLICK HERE to register 

Speakers and session topics:

1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.

Bed Bugs: An Evolving Marketplace

Bed bugs have become an increasingly important part of the pest management industry’s service mix as this emerging market segment continues to expand, perhaps not at the double-digit rate of years past but still at an impressive pace. In this informative introductory session, learn how the bed bug market has evolved over time and what the future may hold for PMPs.

DAN MORELAND, PUBLISHER, PCT MAGAZINE

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1:20 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.

Practical Tips for Managing Tough Bed Bug Problems

Dr. Stephen Kells, an entomologist at the University of Minnesota and former technical director of Abell Pest Control, is uniquely positioned to offer a variety of practical tips for assisting pest management professionals in solving their toughest bed bug problems. His years of practical field experience, combined with his academic and research activities, have made Dr. Kells one of the country’s leading authorities on bed bugs.

DR. STEPHEN KELLS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENTOMOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

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2:20 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Virtual Conference Sponsor Presentation

PRESENTED BY BED BUG CENTRAL

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2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Battling Bed Bugs: A Research Update

There are a wide variety of treatment protocols available to PMPs for battling bed bugs, including both traditional and “out-of-the-box” control options. University educators engaged in both field and laboratory research play a critical role in helping determine the most effective IPM techniques for any given situation. Dr. Susan Jones’ entomology lab at The Ohio State University has been performing this type of research for many years, providing valuable insights about the biology, behavior and control of bed bugs, which she is pleased to share with the marketplace.

DR. SUSAN JONES, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENTOMOLOGY, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

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3:30 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.

Virtual Conference Sponsor Presentation

PRESENTED BY ECORAIDER

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3:40 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.

Detection of Bed Bugs and the Role of Interceptor Traps as a Research Management Tool

The ability to detect low-level bed bug activity is essential for the early detection of this common pest, as well as to help guide treatment efforts and to determine when an infestation has been eliminated. In this presentation, Dr. Richard Cooper will discuss research on the effectiveness of various detection methods and share the results of field research, providing new insights into the behavioral ecology of bed bugs. Cooper also will discuss how recent research findings can be applied in the development and implementation of an integrated pest management program for the control of bed bugs in affordable housing communities.

DR. RICHARD COOPER, RESEARCH ENTOMOLOGIST AND VICE PRESIDENT, COOPER PEST SOLUTIONS

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4:40 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Virtual Conference Review and Wrap-Up