FAIRFAX, Va. — The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) announced its Bed Bug Pandemic Response Plan that will lead the industry's actions toward addressing the growing global bed bug crisis.  The initiatives, offered in response to the organization's findings from the recently released Bugs Without Borders global bed bug survey, provide action-steps for pest management professionals who are navigating uncharted territory with this re-emerging pest. 

Among the actions listed in the Response Plan are 1) appointment of an industry Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force that will guide training, coordinate research, and encourage public policy initiatives; 2) sponsorship of the National Bed Bug Forum: A Solutions Conference, a January educational program that will provide the most complete educational offerings on bed bugs to date; 3) hosting of a spring Global Bed Bug Summit in Europe that will offer opportunities for sharing best practices; 4) adoption of a new, wide-ranging company bed bug accreditation program; and 5) support for the Congressional Bed Bug Summit in November sponsored by Representatives G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Don Young (R-AK).

"Our industry has not seen a pest generate so many unanswered questions in decades," noted NPMA Executive Vice President, Rob Lederer, when unveiling the organization's new bed bug programs.   "The recent survey we conducted with the University of Kentucky offered a glimpse of how pervasive the problems with bed bugs are across the world.  Now that we have that data, it's time to digest it and use the best and brightest minds in our industry to formulate workable action plans that will enable our professionals to most effectively support society in managing this pest."

Bob Rosenberg, NPMA's senior vice president, highlighted that appropriate responses for bed bug control need to be coordinated and properly orchestrated.  "It will be essential that our industry Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force take a leadership role in all facets of the pest management industry’s response, from public policy to education to training.  Federal and state officials are all grappling for appropriate responses. Our industry must lead the way toward effective and appropriate guidelines for all those searching for answers."

Additional information on NPMA's Bed Bug Pandemic Response Plan will be available during Pestworld 2010 in Honolulu, HI next month and the Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force will hold its first meeting during the event as well.