Glue trap bans are spreading: Why pest pros need certification now

In the United Kingdom today, general glue trap use is banned, requiring pest management professionals (PMPs) to secure an official license to deploy them only as a last-resort measure case by case.

This concept is moving ever closer to home. Several cities in California already have passed either total or partial bans on glue traps, and states such as New York are seriously considering similarly strict legislation. Most of these laws stem from public concern over how these traps are being used by individuals who lack professional training. Unfortunately, our industry is squarely under that microscope.

In my 30-plus years as an industry professional, I’ve learned one vital lesson: If we don’t set our own high standards, someone else will set them for us. This is why I’ve joined forces with Susan Masciarelli of Web-Cote Industries on a certification course she designed called the Responsible Glue Trap User (RGTU). It is a proactive tool to protect the businesses and services we provide before new regulations take that choice out of our hands.

The RGTU online course was modeled after practices currently in place in the United Kingdom. Masciarelli designed it specifically for PMPs who want to demonstrate their expertise in ethical practice.

Core principles

The course is built around five core principles every PMP should be following today:

 Deploy traps only when there is evidence they are needed. Every placement should be justified.

 Label and date every trap — no exceptions.

 Inspect traps regularly. In sensitive environments, that may mean daily inspections. These are not “set and forget” tools.

 Protect all non-targets by using covers or guards when installing traps, and by disposing of any captured pests in a humane manner.

 Document every action you take when glue traps are used. Provide detailed documentation that is easy to understand, and that uses professional words, no slang or acronyms. 

Time is of the essence

Now is the time to show the public that you and your company are committed to both public health and humane practices. The certification demonstrates you hold yourself to a higher standard, particularly in sensitive environments like food-processing facilities, restaurants, schools, daycare centers and hospitals where customers demand accountability. It shows you have a clear, professional plan in place every time a glue trap is deployed.

The goal is for customers to begin asking specifically whether your company holds this certification. They will want to hire companies that operate with the most ethical methods. This course also will give you the language to communicate your services clearly and confidently to concerned customers. When you speak
with both facts and empathy, you earn long-term loyalty.

At the heart of the RGTU certification is an ethical decision framework that guides you to assess the risk to health, consider alternatives like exclusion, and then act with care and precision. This level of professionalism transforms a simple adhesive trap into a demonstration of expertise.

We must show we are capable of managing our own industry. Learn more here.

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Sacramento CA

TAG facilitates hat trick for Select Exterminating

Select Exterminating, based in Franklin Square, N.Y., has purchased two New York firms — Hamburg-based Suburban Pest Control and Dunkirk-based Amherst Exterminators — as well as On The Spot Pest Control, based in Metuchen, N.J. All three acquired companies are clients of Pest Management Professional’s father-and-son columnists Stuart and Daniel Aust and their team at The Aust Group. The terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Founded in 1983, Suburban Pest Control has provided residential and commercial pest management services throughout Western New York for more than four decades. Under the leadership of second-generation owners Marty and Mary Ballowe, the company is the official pest control provider for several professional sports organizations, including the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.

Amherst Exterminators traces its roots to 1994, when Ken Drummond and Rick Crandall founded Comfort Pest Control. Following the partnership with Amherst Exterminators in 2006, the company continued to expand through strategic growth before officially rebranding as Amherst Exterminators in 2020.

Established in 2010, On The Spot Pest Control serves customers throughout Somerset, Union, Middlesex, and Morris counties. Owners Chris and Andrea Piazza built the business by delivering responsive, environmentally conscious pest control solutions backed by customer service. The company is an active member of both the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the New Jersey Pest Management Association (NJPMA).

Pictured from left are Dan Aust, Stuart Aust, Mary Ballowe, Marty Ballowe, Nick Aust and Chris Aust. IMAGE: THE AUST GROUP

About Select Exterminating

Select Exterminating was originally founded in 1959 and purchased in 1990 by Lloyd Garten. Today, the business is run by his son, Matthew Garten, who oversees the firm’s strategic partnerships.

About TAG

The Aust Group (TAG), established by former pest management professional Stuart Aust, is a family-based mergers and acquisitions (M&A) firm that specializes in advising owners and shareholders through the M&A process. TAG combines transactional expertise and pest control experience to deliver maximum value to clients. Its primary focus is exclusively on the pest control industry, and the team works alongside high-growth companies operating on a recurring business model. Additionally, TAG provides comprehensive valuation services to determine a range of values for businesses and offer strategic recommendations to optimize enterprise value before engaging in a competitive M&A process.

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Sacramento CA

Bed bug product insights: Mattress Safe

RECENT INNOVATIONS: Within a bed bug integrated pest management (IPM) strategy, mattress and box spring encasements help preserve bedding after treatment, limit the spread of bed bugs, reduce the costs of subsequent treatments, and offer bite-proof protection. These measures are crucial for effectively managing existing infestations and preventing further problems.

Mattress Safe’s line of mattress and box spring encasements is certified to protect against bed bugs during a treatment program by providing immediate protection for your customers. Mattress Safe’s patented “Zipper with the Hook,” with a sewn-in loop and zip tie, ensures tamperproof encasements, while the luxurious fabric is soft to the touch and offers a bite-proof and waterproof barrier.

Because PMPs are on the front lines of public health, providing mattress encasements also gives an extra defense against viruses and bacteria, offering a higher level of protection and hygiene. Mattress Safe Ultimate Mattress Encasements have passed the Viral Penetration Test (ASTM 1671) and the Bacterial Resistance Test (ASTM G22).

Recently, Mattress Safe has relaunched an additional layer of protection to aid in the hygienic process without compromising a bed bug treatment program: The Simplistic Protector allows customers to remove this layer in the event the protector becomes soiled, keeping the encasement intact for the duration of the time required for treatments.

PREDICTIONS: Bed bugs are expected to remain a persistent and growing challenge across the United States through 2026, particularly in high-travel regions, dense urban housing markets and warmer Southern states. We anticipate steady increases in cases and more complex eradication efforts, leading to greater reliance on IPM strategies as the industry continues adapting to increasing insecticide resistance.

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Sacramento CA

PCOB & M&A Specialists release June 2026 Pest Index

The William Blair/PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists total U.S. Pest Index increased 9 percent year-over-year in June 2026, slightly below the long-term average index growth rate of 10 percent.

“There was one more working day in the month of June 2026,” William Blair Equity Researcher Tim Mulrooney noted in a news release. “On a workday-adjusted basis, we estimate the index grew about 7 percent year-over-year.”

Dan Gordon, managing member of PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists, added in the news release, “June’s results continue to move in the right direction. While the overall index remains just below our long-term average growth rate of 10 percent, the underlying trends are encouraging. We’ll be watching closely to see if this positive momentum carries through the remainder of the busy season.”

The month’s results by segment include:

• The Residential Pest Index increased 10 percent year-over-year.
• The Commercial Pest Index increased 11 percent year-over-year.
• The Termite Index increased 7 percent year-over-year.
• The Bed Bug Index increased 1 percent year-over-year.
• The Mosquito Index decreased 2 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 161 privately held pest control companies across 40 states with combined annual 2025 revenue of $647 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

Bed bug product insights: Envu

RECENT INNOVATIONS: One of the main reasons why bed bugs remain difficult to control is their ability to hide in tiny cracks and crevices, spread easily through human movement and develop resistance to insecticides. These challenges continue to drive the need for improved products, formulation technologies and better management practices.

Back in the late 1990s, the reemergence of bed bugs as a large-scale pest required the industry to rapidly develop products capable of controlling increasingly resilient infestations. Temprid FX insecticide became known as a leading product for managing bed bug infestations and helping curb their spread.

Temprid FX combines the pyrethroid beta-cyfluthrin and the neonicotinoid imidacloprid. These two active ingredients attack the insect nervous system at different sites, helping improve performance against resistant bed bug populations. The formulation also incorporates co-milling technology that promotes more uniform coverage across treated surfaces and enhances the pickup of active ingredients as bed bugs move through treated areas. 

In addition to the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius), Temprid FX has also shown efficacy against tropical bed bugs (C. hemipterus). Its formulation technology and strong field performance have made Temprid FX a trusted option for PMPs dealing with challenging infestations. 

PREDICTIONS: As bed bug populations continue to spread and adapt, the industry likely will respond with improved liquid and dust formulations, advances in formulation technology and, potentially, the development of new active ingredients and botanical-based products. Continued advances in monitoring, detection and treatment strategies will further support control efforts and help PMPs improve treatment outcomes.

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Sacramento CA

Pelsis: B&G Pressurizing Tank Top

The B&G Pressurizing Tank Top (PTT) is an easy-to-install replacement for the traditional pump mechanism in B&G Primeline stainless steel sprayers, eliminating the need to stop and pump during service. It saves up to five minutes for every gallon of output.

The PTT maintains optimal sprayer pressure of 25 to 30 pounds per square inch (PSI), ensuring constant flow of formulation and uniform applications. The long-lasting battery stays powered through the longest days, delivering up to 30 gallons per four-hour charge. 

The B&G PTT is designed for technicians seeking time and labor savings without sacrificing application precision.

About B&G Equipment

B&G Equipment, a Pelsis brand, has set the standard in professional-grade pest control, vector control, disinfection and industrial equipment since 1949, starting with the introduction of its iconic Primeline Sprayer. This industry icon was created by Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer Bill Brehm (Class of 1998) and George Gilmore while students at Purdue University, with their initials serving as the company name.

Today, B&G Equipment serves industry experts worldwide with a complete line of sprayers, foggers, aerosols, foamers, modular systems and dusters for use in commercial, industrial and residential settings.

About Pelsis

Founded in 1984, Pelsis is based in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England, and operates from 18 locations worldwide. With distribution centers in the UK, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark and the USA, plus a number of global logistics partners, Pelsis supplies customers in more than 80 countries. Its family of brands for the professional pest management industry and related industries include AgriSense, B&G Equipment, Bird-B-Gone, Brandenburg, Curtis Dyna-Fog, Denka International, Edialux Professional Products, GreenProtect, Insect-O-Cutor, Luxan, Network, P+L Systems, Pest-Stop, Silvandersson and Synergetic.

BGEquip.com

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Sacramento CA

Bed bug product insights: Control Solutions Inc.

RECENT INNOVATIONS: Aerosols can be an excellent fit for bed bug management because they solve several practical problems technicians can run into during their service. Because of their tendency to squeeze into tiny harborages, cracks and seams, applicators need tools that can target bed bugs directly in the cryptic areas where they hide. 

D-Fense NXT aerosol is a reliable choice for managing many tough-to-control pests in and around the structure, including bed bugs. Equipped with a 360-degree valve and flip-up actuator with a crack-and-crevice tip, it allows applicators to treat directly into hidden spaces that may be more difficult to reach with other formulations or equipment. 

The label also provides valuable flexibility, with use sites that include both indoor and outdoor applications, as well as mattresses and furniture. Applicators can target bed bugs in many of the common areas where infestations are found, including mattresses, box springs, tufts, folds, edges, baseboards and moldings. For PMPs looking for a convenient and versatile tool to use as part of a comprehensive bed bug management program, D-Fense NXT aerosol will bring the efficacy they expect.

PREDICTIONS: We know travel is one of the primary ways bed bugs spread to new places. With summer here and family vacations around the corner for many American families, it is likely we will see more reports of hitchhiking bed bugs. From rideshare vehicles to airlines, they have popped up in many places frequented by travelers. Recent pest control reports indicate bed bug services remain a significant industry business segment, with no indications of a decrease anytime soon.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/bed-bug-product-insights-control-solutions-inc/
Sacramento CA