The history of Aprehend, the biopesticide that changed the way many PMPs treat bed bugs

The product officially debuted Oct. 24, 2017, at PestWorld in Baltimore, Md. PHOTO: APREHEND

Aprehend was developed from research at Dr. Nina Jenkins’ lab at The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa. The company behind the product, ConidioTec LLC, was born from Penn State’s incubation program, including Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP).

In 2014, Dr. Giovani Bellicanta and Dr. Jenkins won two cash prizes for their business pitch and business plan in the Big Idea competition and Techcelerator program, both hosted by these organizations. This enabled them to establish ConidioTec. Today, they are chief operations officer and chief technology officer, respectively, of the company.

At the onset, BFTP’s Don McCandless was their trainer and mentor throughout ConidioTec’s entrepreneurship journey. Three years later, McCandless made the bold move to join the team as CEO for the launch of Aprehend at the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) PestWorld 2017 event in Baltimore, Md.

ConidioTec’s Carrie Sprout, left, and Dr. Nina Jenkins are a common sight at industry events, such as this New Jersey Pest Management Association meeting in 2019. PHOTO: APREHEND

One product, one target

The team knew almost immediately that Aprehend was highly effective at killing bed bugs, but many hurdles were ahead. Drs. Bellicanta and Jenkins spent almost three years navigating the complicated regulatory process to get their product registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They also had to evaluate existing spraying equipment for suitability for applying Aprehend. Eventually, they developed their own spray kit for the product.

Aprehend is formulated, bottled and distributed from the ConidioTec facility in Centre Hall, Pa., a small borough in Centre County. The team’s unwavering focus on one product ensures all its users are fully trained and supported in its use. Carrie Sprout, the team’s graphic designer, plays a crucial role in this effort. She is responsible for the design and layout of free printed materials, produces video training on the Aprehend YouTube Channel, and assists Aprehend users with custom marketing materials that incorporate their logos and company branding.

Drs. Bellicanta and Jenkins pose with the original Aprehend Spray Gun prototypes, circa 2017. PHOTO: APREHEND

Unique solution

Dr. Jenkins, a familiar face and key figure in the pest control industry, has significantly contributed to the industry’s understanding of efficient and effective bed bug management. She gives bed bug-focused continuing education unit (CEU) training at pest control industry association meetings throughout the U.S. and Canada. Companies considering the use of Aprehend can request on-demand Zoom webinars with Dr. Jenkins, where pest management professionals (PMPs) can benefit from state-of-the-art bed bug management protocols and are encouraged to discuss challenging bed bug scenarios.

“We are so proud of the Aprehend product,” reflects Dr. Jenkins. “I can hardly believe the impact it has had on the industry. PMPs are completely eradicating even the most serious bed bug infestations, often with just a single application.”

The Aprehend team endorses no-prep protocols and vacuuming to remove visible bed bugs for immediate customer relief. This, combined with Aprehend’s long-lasting residual and the benefit of its direct transfer from exposed bed bugs to others in the harborage, has revolutionized how PMPs can tackle bed bugs — making it a unique and effective solution in the industry

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2024/10/14/the-history-of-aprehend-the-biopesticide-that-changed-the-way-many-pmps-treat-bed-bugs/
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