EPA’s National Bed Bug Summit

Summary of Public Comments

April 14 and 15, 2009

	The agenda for EPA’s National Bed Bug Summit provided the pubic with
two formal times to comment.  Below are summaries of the comments given
during the Summit.  In addition to the two opportunities during the
meeting, the public was invited to submit comments to the Summit’s
Public Docket (docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0190).  

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Christopher Eddy, Wright State University.  There is a devastating bed
bug problem.  There was no bed bug problem in 2004 but it has doubled
every year since then.  We need to rally the public health community to
bed bug issues, and they need to rise to their responsibilities. 
Implores the EPA, CDC, and local and state governments to meet the
mandates and fulfill their obligations.  Realizes bed bugs are not
disease vectors, but they still are a significant problem.

Donna Bossuyt, Bed Bugs and Beyond Fumigation.  Advocates public
awareness of viable options for addressing bed bug problems.  Haven’t
seen in the media how to resolve the problem.  Works in the New York
City area and wants to voice comments and raise public awareness.  Wants
research and documents developed and made available to all about what is
going on with the bed bug problem and what controls are available.

Doug Summers, Florida K9 Academy.  Does public advocacy work.  Asks that
we consider making bed bugs a reportable pest.  Could report to a
confidential database.  Wants landlord – tenant laws clarified about
who is responsible for the bed bug infestations.  Need to start looking
at this from a community level.  Like to see more public resources
dedicated to this  public health hazard so public health agencies would
feel able to step in.  We must consider the public health effects
because psychological/mental health disorders can be devastating.  Would
like to see an inter-agency federal taskforce created.  It is now
handled at a local level, and feel more success would be possible if the
problem were elevated to the federal level.

David Hersh, A Healthy Home, Inc.  President of a small company in
Maryland.  Agrees with the mental health issues discussed during this
meeting.  There is a real stigma associated with bed bugs.  STDs and
AIDs were brought out of the closet and we need to do the same with bed
bugs.  Consumer education and exchange of information are necessary. 
Bed bugs are becoming an epidemic and should be classified as such.

Pepe Peruyero, J & K Canine Academy, Inc.  When got involved with
canines and bed bugs, noticed the similarity with law enforcement.  The
people leaving this meeting understand that education is very important
for pest control operators (PCOs), consumers, and personnel in all
related organizations, etc. There are many heartbreaking stories about
bed bug infestations.  Must look into cost-effective treatments.  Some
of the current treatments are so costly that even PCOs can’t afford
them.

James Bell, Protect A Bed.  Works in the mattress industry.  Many
consumers are saying they are getting bed bugs from used mattresses, and
mattress recycling can be responsible for re-infestations.  Some states
have regulations for recycling of mattresses and bed bugs need to be
considered in these programs.

Dawn Biehler, University of Maryland, Baltimore County.  Professor at
the University of Maryland.  Developing a history of bed bugs.  Thinking
that community efforts may really affect the solution.  In the past
(1939), every public housing authority had a fumigation chamber.  This
was successful in controlling bed bugs, and people were grateful. 
Residents may be resistant to cooperation because of the stigma
associated with bed bugs.  Have to bring people together to solve this
problem.  

Jeff O’Neil, Central Life Sciences.  A lot of stakeholders are trying
to deal with the bed bug problem.  But there is no central, overall
jurisdiction and nobody knows where the funding will come from.  Suggest
creating a National Foundation on Bed Bugs with a mandate to control bed
bugs.  Could be a charity and raise funds, provide education,
commercials, public broadcasting, and suggest legislation.  Foundation
would be a good start to coordinate this effort.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Dawn Biehler, University of Maryland.  The community needs to get
involved in solving the bed bug problem, including low income
communities and tenant associations.  Must remove the stigma associated
with bed bug infestations.  Must be concerned about resistance in bed
bugs and invest in surveillance.

Jim Ballard, Ballard Pest Management Consulting.  Recommends the use of
a website that companies can use to track new technologies.

Larry Pinto, Pinto Associates.  Bed bugs are in a lot of sites,
including office buildings and public transportation. The bed bug
problem will get worse before it gets better.  

Bob Sadusky, General Pest Control.  The Summit was a great idea.  EPA
and HUD do not have a lot of money for addressing bed bug issues.  Each
person leaving the meeting will go back and determine what their role
will be.  The private sector should initiate bed bug control programs.

Susan Jones, Ohio State University.  Commends EPA for organizing the
Summit.  Bed bugs are not waiting.  Need leadership and action to help
the public.

Louise Hodges, Sweetgrass Organics.  Money is needed for bed bug
research.  Suggests that a tax surcharge be levied on pesticide sales to
fund research.

Sah Boyks, HIS.  Commends EPA for organizing the Summit.  Need to
promote the use of integrated pest management (IPM), which will cost
less money and reduce the need for pesticide treatments.  

Ella Thoms, Dow AgroScience.  Expressed appreciation for the Summit.  It
is a good start.  A lot of great ideas were discussed and they need to
be prioritized.  A framework for next steps needs to be established with
timelines and responsibilities.

Chiang Way, Rutgers University.  Works in Research Extension.  Funding
for bed bug research is difficult to get.  Applied unsuccessfully for
six bed bug research grants.  Bed bug research seems to be a low
priority. 

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