Bed Bugs

Bed Bug infestation is a growing problem around the country, but also here in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Community Health formed a work group to address concerns and provide information to the public relating to this issue. The first meeting was held on January 14, 2008 in Lansing. MDCH asked that PMAM send a representative from the organization to represent the interests of multifamily housing.

The work group consisted of members from the Michigan Department of Community Health, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan State University, Michigan Environmental Health Association, Michigan Pest Control Association, Wayne County Health Department, and the PMAM, representing the property management industry. Everyone felt that there was little information available from within Michigan and that this work group could possibly take the lead in providing information to Michigan residents concerning this growing problem.

Eric Foster, with MDCH, led the initial workgroup meeting and hosted the meeting as well. The meeting lasted four hours and resulted in four subcommittees being formed. Gary Offenbacher represented PMAM and the housing industry for the initial meeting. It was suggested that the Motel/Hotel industry also be invited to participate and possibly the College housing industry.

Issues addressed by the group:

The Committees that were formed selected the following areas to target:

• Scientific-Basic Biology, History of problem in Michigan, Resistance to treatments and pesticides.
• Treatment Guidelines/ Safe Pesticides Use-research Cornell paper on homeless shelter infestations, Fact sheet and MDA Brochure, Inspect-Identify-IPM-Control Practices-Monitoring., Chemical vs. Non Chemical, Registered Pesticide List, Immediate Solutions.
• Laws and Regulations-Matrix of Relevant laws, Definition from regulatory standpoint, Case Law and financial responsibility, Advocacy, Local health department jurisdictional issues.

Education/Training and Communication.-Licensed pest management company link, local jurisdiction contact list, a training presentation, stigma and psychology.

It was agreed that the four groups would try to assemble a basic body of knowledge and the subgroups would meet by phone or in person before the next work group meeting. The end product may be a binder with information about what is working in Michigan to combat bed bugs and numerous references of places to get further information and resources.

The following links and forms are provided as a resource as a result of the efforts of the coalition mentioned above.

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Bed Bug Addendum

Bed Bug Infestation - Manager Response 

Bed Bug Treatment Plan Phase 2 

Bed Bug Free Certification for Move In 

Bed Bug Treatment Agreement Sample 

Bed Bug Treatment Agreement Sample 2 
Sample Integrated Pest Management Plan

Bed Bug Brochure (English) 

Bed Bug Brochure (Spanish) 

Bed Bug Brochure (Arabic) 

Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH)Bed Bug Resources 

Bed Bug Advocacy Group Blogs

Michigan Manual
for the
Prevention and Control
of Bed Bugs

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