World Cup hosts facing high mosquito and bed bug activity

Seven host cities including New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Boston and Houston rank in the top ten for activity for mosquitoes, bed bugs or both. The data is drawn from two Terminix annual reports released this spring, both based on 2025 service data from more than 300 Rentokil-owned Terminix branches nationwide.

Host cities ranking among the top 10 for both pests

City	Mosquito	Bed Bug	Tournament Role
New York/New Jersey	#1	#3	Final host
Philadelphia	#4	#1	Host city
Atlanta	#5	#7	Semifinal host

Also on the Map: Host Cities Ranking in the Top 10 for One Pest

City	Mosquito	Bed Bug	Tournament Role
Dallas-Fort Worth	#2	#11	Semifinal host
Los Angeles	#3	#24	Host city
Boston	#8	#16	Quarterfinal host
Houston	#10	#18	Host city

Mosquitoes and outdoor events

The city hosting this summer’s final match has also claimed a title no one wants: America’s most mosquito-infested city, a Terminix first for New York. Extreme summer heat and rainfall have created a perfect storm for pest activity, hitting peak levels right as travelers from around the world descend on the metro area for the summer’s biggest outdoor events, and New York isn’t the only host city feeling it.

“These aren’t random cities, they’re dense, high-traffic urban environments where warm temperatures and increased rainfall extend mosquito season well into the summer months,” said Dr. Sydney Crawley, principal vector scientist at Terminix, in a news release. “With millions of fans gathering outdoors this summer, travelers need to be thinking about protection before they arrive, not after they’ve been bitten.”

Stop bed bugs from hitching a ride

As most PMPs know, bed bugs are some of the most common hitchhikers that travelers will encounter during the 2026 World Cup, beach vacations or any travel this summer. Host city Philadelphia ranked first for bed bug activity for the second year in a row while other non-host cities made a valiant effort with Cincinnati jumping from 14 up to second, and Detroit moving to fourth.

“Bed bug demand has consistently increased over the past several years,” added Eric Braun, technical service manager at Terminix. “What this summer adds is scale. The volume of international travelers moving through a concentrated set of cities over a short window is likely unlike anything we’ve seen in recent years.”

What to tell customers before they travel

• Apply an EPA-registered repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus before heading to outdoor events or fan zones.
• Wear long sleeves and pants during peak mosquito hours, especially in high-humidity cities.
• Avoid standing water near your accommodations, including planters, gutters and pool areas, where mosquitoes breed.

Quick checklist for travelling customers

• Inspect mattress seams, headboard and upholstered furniture for rust-colored or black stains, shed skin or live bugs before placing luggage on any surface.
• Store luggage on a hard surface: Bed bugs can be found on fabric-covered racks, so store luggage on the bathroom tile floor or other hard surfaces like a desk.
• Returning home: Run all clothing through a dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes.

About Rentokil Terminix

Rentokil Terminix is the leading provider of residential and commercial services in North America. The company provides health, hygiene and environment services and pest management services, including protection against termites, mosquitoes, rodents and other pests. The company is part of Rentokil Initial plc (NYSE: RTO), one of the largest business services companies in the world.

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Sacramento CA

Clear Pest Pros opens Texas franchise location

Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Clear Pest Pros, opened a new franchise location in Austin, Texas. The company is part of the BELFOR Franchise Group family of brands.

The franchise location is opening later this month, and will be owned and operated by Greg Harrington. Greg holds a PhD in Engineering Physics and over 25 years of medical imaging technology experience. With a background rooted in problem‑solving and hands-on leadership, Greg was drawn to Clear Pest Pros as a company that values innovation, problem solving and efficiency. In his free time, Greg is an active member of his local community and enjoys traveling with his wife and two children.

“When I first started looking into potential business opportunities, Clear Pest Pros immediately stood out due to their modern, forward‑thinking approach to pest control,” said Greg Harrington, owner of Clear Pest Pros of Greater Austin, in a news release. “I saw this business approach as an opportunity to do more than solve pest problems; it will allow my team to become a trusted resource, build relationships and contribute to the well-being of the community we call home. As my team begins servicing Round Rock, Cedar Park, Austin, Pflugerville, Austin Hill Country and the surrounding areas, we look forward to creating something meaningful, dependable and community‑focused.”

James Myers, president of Clear Pest Pros, noted in the company release, “As a pest control company, Clear Pest Pros stands out from the competition because of our straightforward focus on eradicating pest problems at their source and helping customers keep pests out after treatment. The Clear Pest Pros team can’t wait to see all the great work Greg and his team will accomplish within their community.”

About Clear Pest Pros

Founded in 2024, Clear Pest Pros is a full-service pest control company that is dedicated to offering a clear, straightforward approach to pest control. Clear Pest Pros provides general pest control services and treats ants, termites, racoons, mosquitoes, ticks and more.

About BELFOR Franchise Group

BELFOR Franchise Group is the parent organization of 15 service-based franchises for home and commercial cleaning and restoration. The group offers training, turnkey business models and ongoing coaching and business development.

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Sacramento CA

Bed bug gene offers clue to resistance in other pests

A study published in the ESA’s May 2025 issue of the Journal of Medical Entomology by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) has identified a gene mutation in bed bugs associated with potential insecticide resistance. A Virginia Tech news article reports the research was initiated as a molecular skill-building exercise for graduate student Camille Block.

It involved analyzing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from 134 unique bed bug populations collected by North American pest control companies between 2008 and 2022. Screening these samples revealed the presence of a specific gene mutation in two distinct populations.

Notably, this mutation is the same one known to create resistance to certain insecticides in certain populations of German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) and whiteflies (Aleyrodidae). Further investigation confirmed all individuals within these two bed bug populations possessed the mutation.

The team was led by urban entomologist Dr. Warren Booth, the university’s Joseph R. and Mary W. Wilson Endowed Urban Entomology Associate Professor. He explains the resistance mechanism in German cockroaches is linked to a nervous system gene (Rdl) known to confer resistance to dieldrin, an insecticide with the same mode of action as fipronil. While dieldrin has been off the market since the 1990s, fipronil currently is used with great success in consumer flea and tick treatments for pets and in the professional pest control industry for several general household pests. It is important to note that fipronil is not labeled for bed bugs.

Since that study was published, Dr. Booth teamed with Drs. Jin-Jia Yu and Changlu Wang from Rutgers University to sequence 227 populations of C. lectularius, primarily collected over a 15-year period (2010–2024) from New York, New Jersey and Indiana, to investigate the distribution of and any discernible general insecticide resistance patterns in three gene mutations in bed bugs. That study was published in the March 2026 issue of the Journal of Pest Science.

With this study, the team concluded that, based on the low income, multifamily housing from which the majority of the collected specimens originated, the more varied treatment was with active ingredients and different techniques at a given apartment building, the fewer instances of the insecticide resistant gene were found.

For more on the study, visit: Booth-lab.org

Bed bug treatment devolops

Experiencing bed bugs in a Paris hotel while attending the 2024 Summer Olympic Games with her family spurred Sophie Keane to create the “Bed Bug Bait Box.”

The glue trap uses an electrical circuit and heated brass rods to mimic a human heartbeat and temperature to lure bed bugs away from their harborage. It turns on with the flick of a switch, and her hope is to commercialize it for airplanes, trains and hotels to stop the bugs’ spread. Keane has won three national prizes and counting in her native Ireland for the device. At press time, a patent was pending for the technology.

One more fun fact: Keane is 17 years old.

Watch Keane’s presentation of the trap here: instagram.com/reels/DWZXW0hDwAg/

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Sacramento CA

PCOB & M&A Specialists release May 2026 Pest Index

The William Blair/PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists total U.S. Pest Index increased 6 percent year-over-year in May 2026, below the long-term average index growth rate of 10 percent.

“On a workday-adjusted basis, we estimate the index grew about 8% year-over-year,” said William Blair Equity Researcher Tim Mulrooney, in a news release, noting there was one less working day in May 2026. “A reading below 10 is a sign of softness for the month.”

Dan Gordon, managing member of PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists, added, “While the May results are disappointing, it’s too early to conclude that broader economic conditions are driving the slowdown. Before drawing that conclusion, we’d like to see how the index performs over the next few months. The overwhelming feedback we’re hearing from clients is that weather conditions so far this year have not been conducive to the level of growth we’ve experienced in recent years. The fact is weather remains the single biggest driver of both new sales and customer attrition in the pest control industry.”

The month’s results by segment include:

· The Residential Pest Index increased 7 percent year-over-year.

· The Commercial Pest Index increased 6 percent year-over-year.

· The Termite Index increased 3 percent year-over-year.

· The Bed Bug Index decreased 13 percent year-over-year.

· The Mosquito Index decreased 3 percent year-over-year.

About the William Blair/PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Pest Index

The William Blair/PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Pest Index tracks the monthly performance of 146 privately held pest control companies across 38 states with combined annual 2025 revenue of $583 million. The purpose of the report is to track the monthly performance of several U.S. pest markets. It does not include residential door-to-door companies.

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Sacramento CA

Syngenta: Advion MicroFlow insect bait

A small application makes a big impact with Advion MicroFlow insect bait from Syngenta. This dry flowable bait contains varying particle sizes that easily adhere to pests like ants and cockroaches, who share it via grooming for more thorough control deep within voids and harborage areas.

Powered by the MetaActive effect, Advion MicroFlow activates within target pests while leaving nontarget organisms largely unaffected. Additionally, the 8-ounce jar includes a built-in measuring scoop and is compatible with many common application devices, helping streamline applications and improve precision in hard-to-reach areas.

As a part of the SecureChoice Cockroach Assurance Program, Advion MicroFlow is recommended as a complementary tool alongside gel baits and sprayables for proven cockroach control. When following this research-backed program, cockroach infestations will be reduced by at least 90 percent during the first four visits over a 60-day period. Visit SyngentaPMP.com/Cockroach for more information.

About Syngenta PPM

Syngenta Professional Solutions is focused on developing tomorrow’s technologies and practices that empower customers today to protect and enhance the places where people live, work and play. Its scientific discoveries deliver better benefits for customers and society on a bigger scale than ever before. The company holds a presence in over 100 countries with multiple headquarters across the globe for its branches.

SyngentaPMP.com/AdvionMicroFlow

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Sacramento CA

AMGUARD: NUVAN PROSTRIPS AND PROSTRIPS+

Get proven, long-lasting protection from bed bugs, spiders, flies and other insects with NUVAN PROSTRIPS and NUVAN PROSTRIPS+. From trusted pest control provider AMGUARD Environmental Technologies, NUVAN PROSTRIPS offer continuous vapor action in difficult-to-reach places like attics, garages, pantries, closets, sheds and more with minimal odor and no mess.

Effective against difficult-to-control pests, NUVAN PROSTRIPS include a convenient plastic cage to protect enclosed areas for up to four months with a single application. Choose from two sizes of strips — with 16-gram NUVAN PROSTRIPS or 65-gram NUVAN PROSTRIPS+ based on your treatment area — and defend your customers’ space for just pennies a day. Get lasting control for continuous pest protection with NUVAN PROSTRIPS and NUVAN PROSTRIPS+.

About AMGUARD Environmental Technologies

AMGUARD Environmental Technologies is an emerging provider of non-crop and specialty technology solutions. Driven by the mission to provide customers with powerful solutions to keep their businesses strong and growing, AMGUARD discovers, develops and commercializes a diverse portfolio of proven chemistries, innovative technologies and green solutions into diverse markets.

AMGUARD.tech

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Sacramento CA

Protected: How to beat the heat and show employee appreciation

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/how-to-beat-the-heat-and-win-the-summer/
Sacramento CA