Success StoryBattling Bed Bugs in Western Kentucky



Battling Bed Bugs in Western Kentucky

Author: Zachary DeVries

Planning Unit: Entomology

Major Program: Integrated Pest Management

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Bed bugs remain one of the most challenging pests to manage indoors.  While difficult to manage when treatments are performed correctly, these pests are nearly impossible to eradicate when inspections and treatments are not performed correctly.  In response to a major bed bug problem in a historical high-rise apartment complex in downtown Paducah that serves elderly and disabled residents, I was invited by the Paducah City Fire Marshal to inspect the complex and determine why current management practices were failing.  Upon review, I discovered significant problems with inspections (multiple units marked at “un-infested” with active infestations) and treatments (multiple units recently treated with substantial bed bugs problems).   I documented these problems in a report, which was submitted to the City of Paducah and has since been used to ensure pest management is properly conducted at this property, such that bed bugs are dealt with quickly and effectively.  I have continued conversations with the City of Paducah to ensure this problem continues to be properly addressed.






Stories by Zachary DeVries


Cockroaches and Bourbon

about 3 years ago by Zachary DeVries

Bourbon is one of the most important commodities in the state of Kentucky. In recent years, there ha... Read More


Drain Flies and Upper Administration

about 3 years ago by Zachary DeVries

Often times urban pests are thought to only affect those with dirty homes or of lower socio-economic... Read More


Stories by Entomology


Delivering of information on sampling and studies on the South American Palm Weevil for Dominican Republic

about 2 years ago by Raul Villanueva

I was solicited to present in-person however to avoid risk this task was conducted online using zoom... Read More


Ambrosia beetles in nursery and fruit Detection, Identification and management

about 2 years ago by Raul Villanueva

Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are boring insects that inoculate species s... Read More