Live from 2018 Global Bed Bug Summit

November 27, 2018

Pest management professionals (PMPs) seeking the latest information on bed bugs descended on Denver for the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA’s) Global Bed Bug Summit held at the Sheraton Denver Downtown hotel Nov. 27-29.

The event, which is sponsored by Bed Bug Central, kicked off with a beer tasting reception in EXPO Central the evening of Nov. 27. More than 40 suppliers, manufacturers and service providers showcased bed bug monitoring and control solutions.

More than 500 registered to attend the event this year, an all-time high, said Phil Cooper, founder and former CEO of Bed Bug Central.

A day of learning was on tap Nov. 28, as the Global Bed Bug Summit began with an opening session titled “Morning Kickstarter with Bed Bugs: A Complete Review and Refresher.” NPMA Entomologist Dr. Brittany Campbell provided a review of bed bug biology and behavior to help get attendees ready for the rest of the day’s presentations.

Next up was the Opening General Session, presented by Dr. Dini Miller, an urban pest management specialist for the Commonwealth of Virginia at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, Va. She broke down the latest bed bug research.

Bed bug-related educational sessions were held concurrently throughout the day.

Dr. Karen Vail, professor in the department of entomology and plant pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn., shared effective bed bug control methods as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) protocol.

Dr. Alvaro Romero, assistant professor of urban entomology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M., examined the potential for disease transmission by bed bugs.

Jeff White, technical director, Bed Bug Central; Judy Black, MS, BCE, CP-FS, vice president of technical services for Rentokil Steritech; and Jeff King, president of the Pest Rangers, shared ways to be proactive when discussing bed bug control with property managers.

Dr. Rick Cooper, vice president of Bed Bug Central, Lawrenceville, N.J., delved into the challenges PMPs face when providing bed bug management in multi-unit housing.

The last educational session of the day featured a look at the Professional Pest Management Alliance’s (PPMA’s) 2018 Bugs Without Borders survey.

After a couple of hours in the exhibit hall, attendees mingled with Global Bed Bug Summit presenters, who shared their bed bug management expertise in an informal setting.

The last day of the Global Bed Bug Summit began with breakfast served in the exhibit hall. Then, Dr. Changlu Wang, associate professor of entomology at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., shared research that examined behavior of those with bed bugs. In apartments, he said, beds have more bed bugs than sofas. Research also showed women were more likely to report bed bugs than men, and newer residents were more likely to have bed bug infestations, he said. The elimination rate of bed bugs was better when integrated pest management protocols were used.

Joe Latino, president of Allergy Technologies, maker of ActiveGuard mattress liners, mentioned a unique way of serving the community as he introduced Dr. Changlu Wang. He said he and his team compiled a comprehensive database that includes about 75 bed bug management products, and welcomed the addition of more. In addition, it discusses the research that underpins a particular product and includes links to the bed bug related research in the public domain. He encouraged attendees to stop by the booth to learn more.

Attendees could qualify for continuing education units by attending many of the sessions. The Global Bed Bug Summit is held every other year; in 2016, it took place in Indianapolis.

: The National Pest Management Association’s Global Bed Bug Summit kicked off Nov. 27. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: The Global Bed Bug Summit kicked off with a Happy Hour in the exhibit hall. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Pest management professionals check out exhibitor booths. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Exhibitors showed off products and services geared to bed bug control. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Bed Bug Central’s Phil Cooper in front of the Global Bed Bug Summit schedule. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Giving thanks to the Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsors. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Global Bed Bug Summit attendees pick up their registration materials. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: The authors of “Advances in the Biology and Management of Modern Bed Bugs” will sign copies of their new book. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Attendees mingle at the Happy Hour in the exhibit hall the first night of the event. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Larry Treleven, Sprague Pest Solutions; Phil Cooper, Bed Bug Central; Dr. Jim Fredericks, NPMA; and Dennis Jenkins, NPMA president (pictured from left) chat the during Happy Hour on the exhibit floor. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: The Colorado Pest Control Association held its Fall Conference in conjunction with the Global Bed Bug Summit. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Target Specialty Products’ Bobby Maston and Doug Bennett on the exhibit floor. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: NPMA President Dennis Jenkins kicked off the Global Bed Bug Summit. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: NPMA Entomologist Dr. Brittany Campbell provided a review of bed bug biology and behavior. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Robert DiJoseph, president of Bed Bug Central, welcomed attendees. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Dr. Alvaro Romero told attendees in the packed room about the potential for disease transmission by bed bugs. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Dr. Rick Cooper shared his expertise on multi-unit housing. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Dr. Dini Miller discussed the latest bed bug research at the opening general session. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Presenter Dr. Dini Miller and the NPMA”s Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Dr. Jim Fredericks, raffle off the book, “Advances in the Biology and Management of Modern Bed Bugs.” PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Educational sessions, like the one Dr. Dini Miller presented on effective bed bug management, were packed. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Two Jeffs and a Judy — Jeff White, Jeff King and Judy Black — outlined several proactive bed bug programs. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Dr. Susan Jones talked about research on tracking bed bugs. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Evening exhibit hall hours featured a beer tasting reception. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Day two of the Global Bed Bug Summit wrapped up on a festive note. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: The Night Out with the Experts invites attendees to unwind and chat with the event’s presenters. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Dr. Dini Miller, Dr. Chow Yang Lee and Dr. Stephen Doggett sign copies of their book, “Advances in the Biology and Management of Modern Bed Bugs.” PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Dr. Changlu Wang, associate professor of entomology at Rutgers University, discussed research that examined behavior of those with bed bugs. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: Dominique Stumpf, CEO, National Pest Management Association, was on hand to welcome attendees. PHOTO: Diane Sofranec

: The National Pest Management Association’s Alexis Wirtz, CMP, vice president of Conventions and Meetings and Bed Bug Central’s past president and CEO Phil Cooper, take a brief break from their duties at the Global Bed Bug Summit.