As promised here is a summary of the recent southeastern Michigan bed bug workshop from December 14, 2009.

Bed Bug Workshop Sponsors

The workshop was sponsored by Michigan Association of Housing Officials, City of Detroit’s Buildings and Safety Engineering Department and the Michigan Bed Bug Working Group.

Speakers included:

Karla Henderson – City of Detroit, Buildings and Safety Engineering
Erik Foster – Michigan Department of Community Health
Andy Murdock – Michigan Pest Management Association
Brian Rowe – Michigan Department of Agriculture
Gary Offenbacker – Property Managers Association of Michigan
Howard Asch – Michigan Association of Housing Officials
Kim James and Steve Leggat – City of Detroit, Buildings and Safety Engineering

The main take away message in my view was pro-active cooperation between all affected parties.

The speakers could not have been better chosen each one was an expert in his or her field.

Bed Bug Topics Covered:

Do bed bugs cause disease?
Where do bed bugs come from?
How do homes become infested with bed bugs?
How can you tell if your residence is infested with bed bugs?
What should you do if you find bed bugs?
What are your rights and obligations concerning bed bugs?
What you shouldn’t do if you have bed bugs?
How can you have bed bug specimens examined?
What should you know abut bed bug insecticides?
What might you do when returning from a bed bug infested residence?
How to inspect for bed bugs?
How to hire a bed bug pest control company?

If you would like more information on any of these subjects contact Doc at info@theamericanlawnandtreearborist.com.