When we talked to Dr. Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann last fall, we learned of an interesting workshop being planned for the 6th International IPM Symposium.
The program (PDF) is now available and the session, Bed Bugs and Public Health: Establishing the Connections, is extremely interesting:
Because of the long hiatus in bed bug infestations, many people are unaware of them and in many cases IPM strategies have not been adopted. New approaches to raising awareness and managing bed bugs on a community-level are needed. Many sufferers have nowhere to turn for help with bed bugs, such as financial aid, medical attention, and even physical labor needed to begin bed bug control. This workshop seeks to explore and document the links between bed bug infestations and public health, to foster the development of networks and new approaches to their spread, and to illuminate the opportunities for collaboration for a more comprehensive approach to managing bed bugs.
The presentations:
Elizabeth S. Kasameyer, Baltimore City Health Department, Division of Healthy Homes
Bed Bugs in Context: Potential Impacts on the Health of Today’s Vulnerable Populations
This discussion will focus on the clinical implications of infestation for our most vulnerable populations, including: children, the elderly, diabetics, people with compromised immune systems, and cardiovascular disease.
Stephen A. Kells, University of Minnesota
The Societal Connections Used by Bed Bugs: Possible Steps to Consider When Moving from Just Fighting Fires to Systemic Isolation
Complaints from temporary nesting sites are now displaced by problems encountered with multi-family housing, student residences and low income housing. This is now feeding the infestation back to other societal common-points such as hospitals, schools and places of business. With an increase in such habitat complexity, control in commercial housing areas has been costly and largely remains incomplete. The challenge will be to decide on a societal basis what practices and resources will best impact bed bug sources, or their mechanism of transmission, to reduce the societal spread. This presentation will discuss past cases of societal spread and assessment methods to reduce the risk of societal bed bug movement.
Jeremy D. Hessel, Environmental Health Division, Hamilton County Public Health
Community-Level Response to Bed Bug Infestations in Hamilton County, Ohio
This presentation will discuss the uniform response and approach that Hamilton County Public Health and the City of Cincinnati Health Department have taken. We have learned through experience in the field and through education in the community what approaches work. Hamilton County Public Health’s proactive response to bed bugs will hopefully reduce the impact of bedbugs in the community.
Changlu Wang, Rutgers University
Implementing a Bedbug IPM Program in Low Income Housing
The cost and effectiveness of two bed bug integrated pest management (IPM) programs were evaluated in 16 low-income apartments. The apartments were randomly divided into two treatment groups: diatomaceous earth dust based IPM and chlorfenapyr spray-based IPM. Bed bug counts were monitored bi-weekly. Mattress and box spring encasements were installed and hot steam was applied to infested areas. Additionally, bed bug intercepting devices were installed under furniture legs in dust-based IPM group. After 10 weeks, bed bugs were eradicated from 50% of the apartments in each group. Program cost and effectiveness of the bed bug intercepting devices are discussed.
Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University
Examples of Successes in Bed Bug Management and What’s Still Missing
Bed bugs are pests that truly require an integrated pest management approach. Yes, control tools must be integrated. But the most successful bed bug management programs integrate a network of entities, including pest management professionals, health agencies, housing authorities, advocates, and those affected by bed bugs. Education and collaboration are emphasized. Examples of successful collaborations in the United States and elsewhere will be described along with gaps in our ability to aide those affected by bed bugs.
The symposium will be held March 24-26 in Portland, Oregon.
Bed bugs and public health. I think some of us thought we’d never see the day, but it’s been that kind of year so far. I hope this is just the beginning.
Jeremy Hessel very generously talked to us last year about bed bugs in Hamilton County. You may wish to read our Q&A with Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann about the wonderful Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Bed Bugs in Shelters and Group Living Facilities. And Nobugs recently wrote about the bed bug intercepting device used in Dr. Wang’s study.
These pages may be of related interest:
- A pest of significant public health importance, cont’d
- An International Public Health Pesticides Workshop
- Letter in support of the Community Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell
- Franklin County, Ohio (update) and Columbus Public Health (asking for trouble)
- Public health significance of bed bugs: a new tool for action
