Pestworld Magazine Focusing on the Business of Pest Management
The majority of pest professionals agree that bed bugs are the number one most difficult pest to control
FAIRFAX, VA (May 1, 2019) – The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), which serves as the public outreach arm of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), is working on its annual campaign to educate consumers about the prevalence of bed bugs during Bed Bug Awareness Week, June 2-8, 2019. The designation is recognized by Chase’s Calendar of Events and is celebrated throughout the pest management industry. Through various media relations and social media tactics, PPMA will work to educate the public on the need for diligent bed bug prevention, the signs of an infestation and the importance of working with a licensed pest control professional to mitigate infestations.
“Although bed bugs are active year-round, our research indicates that infestations tend to spike in spring and summer with the heavier travel seasons,” said Cindy Mannes, executive director of PPMA. “Whether at home or on the road, bed bugs infest virtually anywhere humans congregate, making vigilance key to curbing infestations. The public misconception that bed bugs are only found in beds underscores the need for ongoing awareness efforts and we need pest management companies to share their knowledge to help to drive consumer education and limit encounters with these blood-thirsty pests.”
According to findings from PPMA’s 2018 Bugs Without Borders survey released last year, the risk of bed bug infestations continues, with 97 percent of respondents reporting they treated for bed bugs the previous year. That number is significantly higher than 16 years ago, when only 25 percent of pest control professionals reported treating for bed bugs the year prior. What’s more, 62 percent of respondents surveyed believe bed bugs are the most difficult pests to control, highlighting the inefficacy of do-it-yourself methods and the importance of hiring qualified professionals.
To drive this point home, PPMA is encouraging industry members to join the cause with the launch of various media relations and social media campaigns, including devoting their company social media pages to bed bugs throughout the week and using the hashtag #BedBugWeek on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
“In an effort to give back to the companies that help support our industry’s marketing initiatives by investing in PPMA, we have also developed an exclusive toolkit for Mainframe subscribers to utilize as a resource in their own publicity efforts throughout the week,” added Mannes.
The toolkit is available for download on PPMAMainframe.org, an exclusive digital marketing hub containing hundreds of custom, professionally-designed marketing materials and assets for pest control companies to use to promote their business. The Bed Bug Awareness Week kit contains a customizable press release, suggested social media content, Bed Bug Awareness Week logos, high resolution photography, media training documents and a list of video content that can be directly embedded on a company’s website.
For more information about PPMA and its marketing programs or to subscribe to Mainframe, please visit http://www.NPMApestworld.org/PPMA.
About the Professional Pest Management Alliance: The PPMA was founded in 1997 to defend, protect and grow the pest management industry. As the voice of the professional pest management industry, PPMA continues to proactively provide the public with information on the value of professional pest management through its media relations, public service announcement, advertising and online communications programs it conducts on behalf of the National Pest Management Association. For more information, please visit PPMAMainframe.org or NPMAPestWorld.org/PPMA.
About the National Pest Management Association: The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,500 members, 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. For more information, visit PestWorld.org or follow @PestWorld on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
