From Andrea Krueger after attending the 2012 Detroit Bed Bug Conference :

The most important fact I learned from the workshop is there are no substances you can apply to repel bed bugs from hitchhiking to you or keeping them out of your home. The only techniques you can use is prevention care. They are the techniques that Sharon spoke of: when in clients homes avoid sitting on soft furnishings and wear smooth soled shoes, change your clothes when you get home, etc. They gave us a bedbug manual produced by the state which I have attached. The manual can also be found online at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases. The workshop was directed to property managers. We learned how property managers can exterminate bed bugs and best practices when addressing the problem. Bed bugs can be found anywhere, but the hot zones are low-income and multi-family dwellings, hotels, and cinemas. I found the workshop helpful and worth my time. It was very clear about what works and what doesn’t work with bedbugs. I believe you will find the manual useful.

Please note that CSI and PVM both have bed bug policies and protocols. CSI SCs should consult the Bedbug Procedures located at the end of your CSI Service Coordinator Manual. You can also ask at your monthly meeting about how often your co-op conducts preventative bedbug screening. Most co-ops have quarterly or semi-annual visits from the bedbug dogs. PVM SCs can receive the PVM policies from your Administrators or Brenda. Brenda and I are also creating a simple service coordinator protocol for working with residents/members who have bedbugs. Until we adopt these procedures, it is most important to remember to treat residents/members/clients with bedbugs with respect. Continue to work with them as you would any other client. Bedbugs carry a stigma, so it is important reduce this stigma by accepting their requests for services, including home visits.