KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Griffin Pest Solutions announces The Bed Bug Invasion, an educational seminar designed to address diverse communities where bed bugs have become significant problems. The seminar will be held at the Fetzer Center at Western Michigan University on May 20, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The $49 registration fee includes lunch; pre-registration is required due to seating limitations.
The seminar will target area 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.
“Nationwide, bed bugs are a significant issue,” Bery Pannkuk, Technical Director 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.
Dr. Raj Hulasare, Senior Scientist and Product Manager; and 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.
Dr. Hulasare leads the research efforts of TEMP-AIR on efficacy of heat to control bed bugs and stored product pests in the food-processing industry.
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 Bed Bug Invasion seminar will conclude with a panel discussion and question and answer period to be followed by one hour of networking.
For more information, contact Denise DeVries at: 269-585-1025, or visit: www.RegOnline.com/BedBug09 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.
