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Federal Agencies to Convene National Bed Bug Summit February 1-2

Release Date: 01/31/2011
Contact Information: Dale Kemery (News Media Only) kemery.dale@epa.gov 202-536-9741 (Cell) 202-564-7839 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – In response to consumer concern about the rising incidence of bed bugs in the United States, the Federal Bed Bug Workgroup will hold the National Bed Bug Summit on February 1-2, 2011. During the meeting, panels will discuss bed bug initiatives, identify gaps in knowledge and outline suggested ideas for improving control on a community-wide basis. Summit participants will develop recommendations for a national strategy on bed bug control. The meeting will focus on:

• what is being done to combat the problem at federal, state and local levels
• the importance of educating consumers and workers in various sectors
• improvements in prevention and control techniques
• controlling bed bugs in structured settings, such as schools, and multi-family and public housing
• state of bed bug knowledge and research needs

This will be the second Bed Bug Summit that EPA has participated in. The first was in April 2009. Since then, the agency has helped coordinate the activities of the Federal Bed Bug Workgroup and made recommendations for research, the role of government in combating bed bugs, consumer education and communication, and the role of property owners and managers.

WHAT: 2nd National Bed Bug Summit

WHO: Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

WHEN: Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 8:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Georgetown University Hotel & Conference Center
3800 Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington, D.C.

NOTE: The summit is open to the public but pre-registration is necessary to attend in person. To register, please email the following information (name, affiliation, address, phone number, and email address) to: BedBugSummit2Registration@epa.gov

The summit is also available via webinar. Instructions for signing on to the webinar along with the agenda are available on EPA's website at: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/ppdc/bedbug-summit/2nd-bedbug-summit.html