The National Pest Management Association (NPMA), in conjunction with the Canadian Pest Management Association (CPMA) and the Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations (CFAA) will host a Bed Bug Symposium as part of Pest Management Canada on Friday, March 5, 2010 in Ottawa, Ontario. With the ongoing conversation about the resurgence of bed bugs, the Canadian Bed Bug Symposium will mirror 2009 programs held in Newark, NJ and Seattle, WA in striving to help attendees to better understand these pests as well as address the public and legal issues related to bed bugs.

Bed bug infestations are on the rise across North America, notably metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada. According to industry research, pest management companies report a 71% increase in bed bug calls since 2001 and annual sales from this pest have increased by more than 30% in 2008 over the year prior. Further, the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a National Bed Bug Summit in April 2009 in Washington, D.C. to discuss the burgeoning issues associated with bed bug infestations for homeowners as well as for hotels, college dormitories, multifamily housing and more.

The Bed Bug Symposium in Ottawa seeks to address the intense concerns that hoteliers, multifamily housing complex owners and property/maintenance managers have expressed over the resurgence of bed bugs. It will provide necessary education regarding these elusive pests and offer critical advice and resources on how to properly eradicate bed bug infestations. From identifying bed bugs and inspection techniques to public affairs and legal ramifications, the symposium will provide tips—both preventative and corrective—to help attendees make informed decisions while protecting their customers and establishments. Further, guidance will be provided in how to select an experienced pest professional should an establishment face a bed bug infestation.

Due to the sensitivity of this issue, attendees will also be provided opportunities to ask questions of the expert instructors anonymously and meet with trained professionals to address site-specific questions in a confidential fashion.

Hoteliers, public health and public housing employees, property managers and owners, college dormitory supervisors, cruise ship administrators, furniture rental facilities, hospital administrators and anyone working with housing the general public are encouraged to attend. The Bed Bug Symposium is a separate program from Pest Management Canada and as such, it is not necessary to register for the full convention to attend the Symposium.

The above information was gathered from an publication in busswire.com