PMP Growth Summit: Bed Bug Roundtable

Pest management professionals (PMPs) and a biopesticide manufacturer discuss trends, obstacles and opportunities.

PREP WORK:

Sometimes less is more.

Judy Black, BCE

“One of the biggest issues with bed bug control service is often there’s a disconnect with what we as an industry ask customers to do prep-wise. Often, PMPs ask customers to do too much prep work. It can be overwhelming, and some ‘asks’ actually can work against control.”

— Judy Black, BCE, VP of Technical Services & Quality Assurance for Atlanta, Ga.-based Rollins Inc.

Don McCandless

“Good point. Some customers are simply unwilling to do some of the requested prep work. Other customers may be physically unable to do much of the prep work.”

— Don McCandless, CEO of ConidioTec, manufacturer of Aprehend, a natural biopesticide proven to kill bed bugs of all life stages within three to seven days and leave a 90-day residual barrier

Bill Haynes

“A decade ago, we wanted customers to do almost everything prep-wise. Eventually, we found out that a lot of what we requested prep-wise — even if done well — didn’t really help.”

— Bill Haynes, CEO of Bedford, Ga.-based Haynes Exterminating

I’M STILL STANDING:

Bed bug revenue is down, but this cryptic bloodsucking pest is making a comeback.

“I agree with our other roundtable participants: Bed bug control revenue is down for many. PMPs, and our bed bug control tools and techniques, have improved significantly. Both manufacturers and PMPs have learned a lot about this pest, and in partnership are doing a much better job keeping bed bugs at bay.”

— Judy Black, BCE, VP of Technical Services & Quality Assurance for Atlanta, Ga.-based Rollins Inc.

Josh Peterson

“My brother recently brought home bed bugs from his job moving furniture. His wife was absolutely distraught. Bed bugs remain a real issue.”

— Josh Petersen, Regional Operations Manager, Austin, Texas-based Magna Pest Solutions

Glen Ramsey, BCE

“Our bed bug business started picking up again late last year and has remained strong since. I expect this trend to continue, in part because of how fast bed bugs reproduce and in part because bed bugs have developed resistance to many of the chemistries widely used.”

— Glen Ramsey, Technical Director for Atlanta, Ga.-based Rollins Inc.

Dr. Cassie Krejci

“Last year’s media coverage of how rapidly bed bug infestations were spreading throughout Paris was good for business. Pop culture does a really good job of driving fear.”

— Dr.Cassie Krejci, BCE, Head of Science & Innovation for Reading, Pa.-based Rentokil Initial North America

“Bed bugs remain a problem throughout North America, Europe … and the rest of the world. Just wait until this year’s Summer Olympics.”

— Don McCandless, CEO of ConidioTec, manufacturer of Aprehend, a natural biopesticide labeled for bed bugs in all 50 states