BRUNSWICK, Maine. — Richard Stevenson Jr., co-president of Maine-based Modern Pest Services, will head to Washington D.C. next month to meet with his fellow members of the National Pest Management Association’s Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force.

The task force, which Stevenson was named to last year, will reconvene to develop its industry-wide comprehensive response, including education, standards, policy and research, to the recent bed bug outbreak. The group, made up of prominent researchers, pest management professionals and regulators, is responsible for the recently released NPMA’s Best Management Practices for Bed Bugs, considered a key defense in the war against infestation. The guidelines, for use by both industry professionals and consumers, provide complete information on what to look for in bed bug service agreements, clarity on what to do with furniture exposed to bed bugs, guidance on the effective use of dogs for bed bug inspection, andinformation on bed bug control methods.

 “Bed bugs have become a pandemic and previously there wasn’t  organization from any other entity to stop the spread. The National Pest Management Association is taking the lead here,” Stevenson says. “By developing and sharing our best management practices and continuing to put our best efforts forward, our task force is dedicated to stopping this pandemic.”

Stevenson grew up working in Modern Pest Services, a third-generation family-owned company. He has a degree in environmental entomology and is a board certified entomologist. He has served on the New England Pest Management Association's Board of Directors and currently serves on the Maine Board of Pesticides Control.
 “We’re proud that Richard was selected to participate in this important project,” says Scott Stevenson, company co-president. “It speaks to Modern Pest Service’s standing in the industry that his expertise is recognized by the NPMA and we know his task force will successfully meet its goals.”

For more information please visit www.modernpest.com