Authored by Dan Huie
My wife returned home from a conference out of town last evening. It was wonderful to see her and great catching up. Eventually the conversation turned to how well she slept while she was away. Immediately my mind went from a happy reunion to fear. Fear that bed bugs may have hitched a ride home in her suitcase.
Bed bugs are the pest du jour. Media reports from The Today Show, to newspapers, and local news shows are getting mileage out of the return of the insidious pests. The National Pest Management Association has aired public service announcements. Apartments, dorms, condominiums and townhomes, hotels, and single family homes across the nation are increasingly reporting infestations. The overly creepy nature of the pest and its nocturnal blood meal is bad enough. But from a control perspective, its minute size and the ability of the bed bug to hide, wait, and relocate makes this particular pest extremely difficult to get rid of.
Bellevue is one of two cities this year that will be hosting a Bed Bug Summit sponsored by the National Pest Management Association! The focus of the conference will be the education on how to effectively control bed bugs as industry insiders share experiences and strategies in an effort to equip various industries and agencies for the task ahead. The conference is sponsored by the National Pest Management Association, a variety of Housing Associations [events, pdf file].
If you are experiencing what could be a bed bug infestation, it is important to place your trust in a reputable company. Companies associated with the National Pest Management Association and the Washington State Pest Management Association are a good place to start. Certifications and referrals from groups such as Quality Pro and Angie’s List will boost your confidence. United Pest Solutions offers these reassurances and more. Our board certified Entomologist, courteous office staff and well trained service technicians are more than up to the challenge we face.
Dan Huie is the Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of United Pest Solutions, Inc. Located in the Bellevue area of Washington state, Mr. Huie has sixteen years of experience with professional pest control involving Human Resource and Pest Management Professional Training. He is extensively involved with the Washington State Pest Management Association (WSPMA) and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).