KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Griffin Pest Solutions will be performing a live demonstration of its thermal remediation process at 3 p.m. during the Bed Bug Invasion Seminar. Thermal remediation is used to kill bed bugs and other insects by heating rooms to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The process kills all stages in the insect life cycle. The seminar will be held at the Grand Rapids Airport Hilton on August 25, 2009 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The seminar will target area departments of community health, hospitals, multi-unit housing communities, colleges and universities, assisted living facilities and the hospitality industry. There will be in-depth, expert discussions about medical issues associated with bed bugs and strategies for prevention, detection, control and management. Participants will gain first hand knowledge by observing heat treatment and the benefits associated with the process.
“Nationwide, bed bugs are a significant issue,” Jeff Spencer, Vice President for Griffin Pest Solutions, explains. “And, while many equate bed bugs with poor sanitation, this is a myth. A five-star resort is just as susceptible as a local motel.”
And, once an infestation occurs, without the expertise of a pest professional, they are extremely difficult to remove.
Bed Bugs are not picky about where they live. They can travel easily from beds to sofa cushions; room to room; and in suitcases during travel. They can occur in a hotel room, college dorm or even a movie theater.
During the seminar, expert speakers will provide an overview of bed bugs, including their history and current status. A recommended plan of action will be presented to businesses that may suspect or find bed bugs in their establishments.
Dr. Jerome Goddard, a medical entomologist in the Bureau of Environmental Health, Mississippi Department of Health, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker. His recent study, “Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) and Clinical Consequences of Their Bites,” published by the Journal of American Medicine Association, will be the focus of his presentation. Dr. Goddard is also the Clinical Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine and Assistant Professor of Medicine in The School of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Erik Foster, a Zoonotic Disease Biologist at the Michigan Department of Community Health will speak on the issues and challenges of bed bugs in Michigan. Erik currently chairs the Michigan Bed Bug Working Group, which includes representatives from several government agencies, local public health, the pest management industry, property management, and hospitality industry representatives. The group aims to educate the public, private sector, and regulatory agencies as to the prevention and control of bed bug infestations through coordinated, proactive action and plans to release a comprehensive manual and training resources for Michigan in the near future.
Greg Grabow, National Sales Manager in the Thermal Remediation division of TEMP-AIR, Inc. in Burnsville, MN, will present on the use of heat remediation to control bed bugs. Greg Grabow has helped to develop various configurations of electric bed bug systems used by pest control companies that are suitable for the hospitality industry, property management groups, and universities.
Finally, Jim Rutherford, a scent detection dog trainer and handler, and owner of the Action K9 Institute in Manistee, MI, will discuss and demonstrate the advantages of using K9 scent detection dogs to search for bed bugs. These scent detection dogs have proven to be 95 percent accurate.
The seminar registration fee is $49 for Property Management Association of West Michigan members and $79 for non-members. The fee includes continental breakfast, lunch and seminar materials; pre-registration is required due to seating limitations.
For more information, contact Denise DeVries at: 269-585-1025, or visit: https://www.regonline.com/BedBugsGrandRapids for the event outline and agenda.
About Griffin Pest Solutions
Operated by Griffin Service Companies, Griffin Pest Solutions (www.GriffinPest.com) services Northern Indiana and Michigan and is AIB certified. They are also certified in QualityPro Green and QualityPro by the National Pest Management Association. Since 1929, the company has been locally owned and operated by the Griffin family with offices in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek and Ann Arbor.
