Prepare for peak bed bug season: Bed bug awareness week

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With travel season arriving, so is one of its most unwelcome companions: bed bugs. This time of year presents the opportunity to step in as the trusted, go-to resource consumers need to avoid run-ins with these notorious hitchhiking pests.

To arm consumers with the knowledge they need, the Professional Pest Management Alliance (the Alliance) is calling on the industry to join its annual observance of Bed Bug Awareness Week from June 7–13, 2026.

“Pest control professionals know better than anyone just how formidable bed bugs are,” said Dr. Jim Fredericks, executive director of the Alliance, in a news release. “In fact, nearly a quarter say they’re the single hardest pest to control. By coming together as an industry to educate consumers on identification, prevention and the risks of going it alone, we can build trust in our work and reinforce the value of professional pest control.”’

Bed bug survey results

In a survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA, only 32% of Americans can identify bed bugs, just 30% know how to inspect for bed bugs and 34% are aware that bed bugs can be found outside of the bedroom (including on public transit, movie theaters, schools, hospitals and office buildings). These findings underscore the urgent need for full industry participation in this year’s week-long observance.

The Alliance encourages pest control companies across the country to get involved by:

Sharing bed bug-focused content throughout the week and adding #BedBugAwarenessWeek to join the industry-wide conversation and connect consumers with information on identification, prevention and when to call a professional.
Resharing content from @PestWorld on Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube and @PestWorldOfficial on Instagram to extend the reach of the campaign and reinforce the importance of professional pest control.
Downloading the exclusive Bed Bug Awareness Week toolkit available to Alliance Investors and Mainframe subscribers on AllianceMainframe.org. The toolkit includes customizable media materials, social media graphics, visual assets and more.

About the Professional Pest Management Alliance

The Professional Pest Management Alliance is the voice of the industry, driving demand for professional pest control through innovative marketing programs that educate consumers and earn their trust. Since 1997, the Alliance has grown awareness of the essential role pest management professionals play in protecting health, food and property, creating market conditions that help businesses of all sizes grow stronger, faster