The National Pest Management Association released
its Bed Bug Best Practices Handbook in January 2011. There are two versions, one for the pest management professional and a more user-friendly one for consumers. The information is great and I am proud to say that ALL of their recommendations are already standard operating procedures for The Bed Bug Answer. They have been in place from the start of our company.
A few highlights:
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Disposal of infested furniture is not necessary
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Mattress covers are a control mechanism but not a solution
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Infestations should be confirmed
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Canine teams are particularly useful in detecting bed bugs
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Multifamily should inspect surrounding units of an infestation (note, they did not say treat)
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Chemical treatments can fail due to pesticide resistance
They also included great content for the Pest Management Professional on:
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Client Agreements
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Canine standards for certification and use
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Technician Training
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Methods of Treatment
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Health and Safety Considerations for Techs and Consumers