Fairfax, Va. — In its continuing effort to offer education and guidance as pest management professionals develop their response to the bed bug pandemic, the National Pest Management Association this week released its Best Management Practices for Bed Bugs, offering guidelines to help PMPs control bed bugs effectively, responsibly and safely.

Created by the NPMA Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force, a broad-based stakeholder group whose goal is the development of an industry-wide, multi-faceted response to the bed bug pandemic, the Best Management Practices for Bed Bugs provide guidance in the areas of service agreements, recordkeeping, technician and sales staff training, client education, disposal of beds, furniture, possessions, bed bug detection, treatment methods, and health and safety concerns. 

“Because there are multiple products, methods and technologies that may be employed as part of a successful bed bug treatment plan, it is important that pest management professionals are aware of the myriad factors that should be considered when determining which products or methods are the best option to control a given bed bug infestation,” stated NPMA Executive Vice President Rob Lederer. “The NPMA Best Management Practices for Bed Bugs provide PMPs the tools they need to ensure they are treating this elusive pest effectively, responsibly, and safely.”

In addition to providing these best management practices to industry professionals, NPMA will encourage consumers to seek use of the BMPs in working with PMPs. NPMA members can direct their customers to learn more about the new guidance document at www.BedBugBMPs.org.  Additionally, they will be posted on www.pestworld.org. 

To download the NPMA Best Management Practices for Bed Bugs, please visit www.npmapestworld.org/publicpolicy/BedBugs.cfm, and click on “NPMA Best Management Practices for Bed Bugs.”