In the order of 3,500 delegates, plus exhibitors, gathered at PestWorld 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA for three hectic days between 26-29 October. Included among them was a large international contingent of nearly 500 representing countries from all over the globe. Pest editor Frances McKim was there and sent us this report.
Just as in the UK, all matters relating to the management of bedbug infestations was the most hotly debated topic at this year’s PestWorld. The seminar sessions were full to overflowing. Dr Kevin Sweeney of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called for international cooperation and collaboration between all affected parties if this pest is to be beaten.
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The pest management industry may be calling for additional chemicals, be they novel products or old ones reinstated, to help surmount the challenge, but he reported that although the EPA was ready and waiting to deal with applications, none have so far been lodged. To the pest management industry, this current problem may be a major issue, but to pesticide developers it remains a small and relatively insignificant market. Dogs used for bedbug inspections are now an established option in the USA (as reported in Pest- issue 2). Pepe Peruyero of J & K Canine Academy in Florida stressed that a dog was a full-time commitment – in effect just like a child – as it required daily training and care from a dedicated handler. PestWorld is organised by the USA-based pest control trade association, the NPMA (National Pest Management Association). The NPMA used PestWorld to reveal plans and protocols which are shortly to be rolled out with a full international flavour. The first, presented by NPMA senior vice president, Bob Rosenberg, covered green pest control. He urged the industry to take control of this issue and so protect the brand. Not only is NPMA launching Green Pro in the USA, but it is also launching a global version under the Global Green banner. Details of this can be seen on the World Environmental Pest Management Alliance (WEPMA) website. Greg Baumann, also from NPMA, likewise detailed the work the association has been undertaking in an attempt to globalise international food safety standards. The exhibition was on a massive scale with approaching 100 stands. It was encouraging to see some familiar UK faces with PestWest and Brandenburg leading the way, as well as Pisys Digital from Aberdeen making its first appearance in the USA. Several European companies regularly spotted in the UK were also exhibiting, including Igeba (Germany), Plastdiversity (Portugal), Silvandersson (Sweden) plus Bayer and BASF. Soon to be seen for the first time in the UK at PestTech next week is DuPont. Here in the USA, they were launching Arilon, the next product on from Advion which is to be pre-launched at PestTech. Las Vegas itself is on a huge scale centred on its many casinos. As if delegates had not had enough opportunity to lose their shirts, they were invited to try their luck during the closing session of the exhibition.
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