Bed Bug Tool Kit: Control Methods to Combine in an IPM Bed Bug Protocol is a new, downloadable guide for pest management professionals (PMPs). It examines the strengths and limitations of all major bed bug control methods and, importantly, how each can be combined with superheated steam as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This comprehensive resource can be invaluable for companies looking to build more effective treatment programs.
About Polti
Founded in 1978, with North American headquarters based in Los Angeles, Calif., Poltiwas built on two pillars that characterize the company and its products to this day: quality and innovation. Over the decades. Polti has combined technological innovation with Italian-made quality and environmental compatibility to offer a clean and simple vision of the future. As a European leader in steam appliances, Polti’s patented products are available in more than 50 countries worldwide.
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has partnered with VIU by HUB — a personal insurance platform backed by HUB International — to offer pest management professionals and their communities a simple, modern way to shop for home, auto, condo, renters and other personal insurance coverages. Program Brokerage Corp. (PBC) served as the catalyst behind this new member benefit.
Through VIU by HUB, members can compare quotes from more than 50 A-rated insurance companies in minutes. The experience is fully digital for those who prefer self-service, or one-on-one with a licensed advisor for those who want personalized guidance.
This benefit is available to NPMA members, their employees, friends and family, vendor employees, partners and business associates.
About the National Pest Management Association
The National Pest Management Association is a non-profit organization with more than 4,000 members. It was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. The association has had many notable leaders over the years, including Pest Management Professional Hall of Famers Bill Buettner (Class of 1998), Dr. Ralph Heal (Class of 2003), Dr. Phil Spear (Class of 2004) and Bob Rosenberg (Class of 2013), to name just a few.
Mosquitoes remain among the most significant and persistent pest groups worldwide, with more than 3,490 species identified. While many species are simply a nuisance, others serve as vectors of serious diseases such as malaria, dengue, Zika virus and West Nile virus.
In pest management, control efforts typically focus on a limited number of species that pose the greatest public health risks. Despite their diversity, mosquitoes share key biological and behavioral traits that can be leveraged for effective control. An effective mosquito management program should follow an integrated approach. Try using BITE as a mnemonic device:
B is for breeding site removal
El Damir
Routine inspection and maintenance are essential for reducing mosquito populations. Key actions include:
Removing standing water from containers, tires and gutters
Draining or modifying areas prone to water accumulation
Treating unavoidable water sources with appropriate larvicides
I is for impacting populations
For adult mosquitoes, barrier treatments are a common strategy. Such applications target mosquito resting sites such as vegetation and structural perimeters. Best practices include:
Targeting shaded resting areas and the undersides of foliage
Avoiding flowering or edible plants to protect pollinators
Following all directions per the product label
Maintaining proper equipment and application techniques
Considering environmental conditions and local ecosystems
Larvicides, meanwhile, are essential for preventing mosquito development. Selection depends on site conditions and species. Common categories include:
Biological larvicides such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI), Bacillus sphaericus and spinosad
Insect growth regulators (IGRs) such as methoprene
Larvicidal oils
T is for timing of applications
Apply treatments strategically based on mosquito activity and environmental conditions. Timing plays a critical role in control effectiveness.
Reapply barrier treatments every three to four weeks as needed
Begin treatments prior to peak mosquito season
Monitor environmental conditions to adjust timing accordingly
E is for exclusion
Preventing mosquito entry is a key component of control:
Seal cracks and gaps around structures
Install door sweeps
Maintain intact window screens
Use air curtains in high-traffic areas
Exclusion measures, when combined with other strategies, significantly reduce indoor mosquito activity. Effective mosquito management requires a comprehensive, integrated approach that targets all stages of the mosquito life cycle. By combining breeding-site reduction, targeted treatments, strategic timing and exclusion practices, pest management professionals can reduce mosquito populations and mitigate the risks of mosquito-borne diseases.
Female mosquitoes locate hosts using a combination of well-documented cues, including:
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Body odor
Heat
Moisture
Visual contrast
Understanding these cues supports more effective control strategies, including targeted trapping, habitat modification and environmental management.
Eastern treehole mosquito (Aedes triseriatus) (PHOTO: JAMES D. GATHANY)
Mosquito larvae develop in a wide range of aquatic habitats, including natural sites such as tree holes and phytotelmata (accumulated water in plant cavities), as well as artificial containers like tires, clogged gutters and flooded areas. These environments provide organic material and microorganisms that serve as larval food sources.
In colder climates, mosquitoes survive unfavorable conditions through diapause or dormancy. For example:
Culex species overwinter as adult females and become active in spring.
By comparison, the eastern treehole mosquito (Aedes triseriatus), a primary vector of La Crosse encephalitis, overwinters as eggs in northern regions and may persist as larvae in warmer climates.
Understanding these seasonal patterns improves the timing and effectiveness of control programs.
from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/bite-back-an-integrated-approach-to-smarter-mosquito-control-and-disease-prevention/ Sacramento CA
LabelSDS.com continues to revolutionize the way that pest management professionals (PMPs) manage and distribute their product label and safety data sheet (SDS) books to technicians and their commercial customers.
Do you have commercial customers that require you furnish them with a Label/SDS Book of the products used at their facilities? LabelSDS.com has you covered! Easily create custom lists of the products that are used at their facilities. Your commercial customers can access this information by logging into their customized portal or through a QR code. The QR code provides unrestricted access to their labels and SDS in the event of a spill or inspection. Note that the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard requires that all employees always have unrestricted access to these documents.
Using a new product at their facility? Easily add new products with just a click of a button. No need to print out new labels or SDS or to update jump drives. As soon as you add the new product to the portal, it is viewable when logging in and through the QR code instantly.
The Commercial Customer Portal is perfect for property management groups, school districts, food-processing plants, restaurants and more.
About LabelSDS.com
LabelSDS.com is a web-based program with more than 20,000 product labels and safety data sheets (SDS) specific to the pest and turf industries. You can create your own company label and SDS “digital book” with the products your company uses. Easily add and delete products from your list. Don’t see the product you are looking for? With LabelSDS.com, you can submit a product request, and the team will add the product for you. All your employees can access, download, print, email and text your company’s labels and SDS from their computers, tablets or smartphones. Best of all, your company’s labels and SDS update automatically whenever there is a revision. LabelSDS.com is designed to be an easy and affordable way to access and manage your company’s labels and SDS.
The acquisition officially closed on June 30, 2026. Customers previously served by the acquired A-1 Economic Exterminators business in Glynn, Brantley and McIntosh counties are now served through Yates-Astro’s Brunswick branch. The acquisition does not include the St. Marys, Ga.-based A-1 Economic Exterminators of Camden Inc., only the Brunswick-area business.
“We are honored to continue the legacy that A-1 Economic Exterminators has established over the past several decades,” said Rick Culbreth Jr., president of Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control. “A-1 Economic Exterminators has been serving Brunswick families and businesses since 1977, and their reputation for dependable service, professionalism, and strong community relationships makes them an excellent fit for our organization. This acquisition expands our local presence while preserving the values that customers have come to expect. The transaction was made even more meaningful by the genuine respect and trust that exists between our company and the sellers, creating a smooth transition and a bright future for both our employees and customers.”
About Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control
Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control is a family-owned pest management company serving residential and commercial customers throughout Georgia and South Carolina. With a long-standing commitment to customer service, professionalism, and community involvement, Yates-Astro provides comprehensive pest, termite, mosquito, and wildlife management services across the region
A spike in temperature isn’t the only weather variable known to drive pest pressure during the summer months. Increased rainfall is another important factor.
Pest behavior is largely driven by three biological needs: food, shelter and water. Of these, water often is the hardest to control. This is especially true in the soggy summer months when rainfall increases and humidity climbs, turning homes that were dry all winter long into waterlogged structures on the brink of moisture intrusion in crawlspaces, overflowing gutters or leaky roofs that are guaranteed to attract pests.
Most insects have an uncanny ability to detect even the smallest amount of moisture, thanks to highly developed sensory organs on their antennae known as hygroreceptors. They use these hygroreceptors to detect microscopic changes in humidity and moisture, leading them to damp areas. To make matters worse, some pests don’t just find moisture; they manage it.
Searching for the telltale signs of moisture intrusion should be a deliberate part of every service call. Moisture-related conducive conditions can include efflorescence on basement walls, water stains on ceiling tiles or drywall, condensation on pipes, deteriorating wood near grade and clogged or overflowing gutters that direct water toward the foundation.
Once located, it’s equally important to properly document the issues for both your client and your own records. Avoid vague notes that don’t provide any useful information, like “moisture present.” Instead, the service record should describe the location, the likely source, any pest activity that was observed in proximity to the condition and recommendations to resolve the problem. Take photographs of problem areas, as company policy allows.
Providing a written list of recommendations, such as fixing a malfunctioning downspout, adding ventilation to the crawlspace or running a dehumidifier in the basement, can be another great way to give your clients actionable steps and reinforce the value of your expertise as a service professional.
The MagnaFly Treatment Station from VM Products delivers superior fly control performance, with innovative design features built to maximize treatment effectiveness and visibility in both commercial and residential settings.
At the top, a precision-engineered domed skylight disperses light evenly throughout the station, dramatically improving visibility and drawing flies in for optimal attraction and treatment delivery. Inside, the patent-pending Active Treatment Carpet creates a consistent treatment zone, so flies pick up bait as they move across the surface — delivering maximum control with every pass.
The locked station design keeps treatment secure and protected from tampering and weather, while the open, light-filled interior makes monitoring fast and easy on every service visit — no guesswork required.
Why pest management professionals (PMPs) are switching to MagnaFly
Even light distribution through domed skylight design
Patent-pending carpet technology for consistent treatment delivery
