<h1><a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/iStock_000001262286Large-Bedroom-e1380746954290.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-375" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/iStock_000001262286Large-Bedroom-e1380746954290.jpg" alt="Bedroom" width="500" height="289" /></a></h1>
<h1>Beating Back Bed Bugs</h1>
One out of every five Americans has had a bed bug infestation in their home or knows someone who has. Bed bugs can be found everywhere—from single-family homes, apartment buildings, and shelters, to office buildings and hotels. Residents, building managers, and businesses are taking desperate measures to control these tenacious pests, often leading to dangerous use and misuse of pesticides that aggravate asthma and cause unnecessary exposure to high levels of chemicals. Bed bugs can be controlled safely and effectively and with minimal use of pesticides. Midwest Pesticide Action Center holds training events, workshops, and has developed outreach materials to educate residents and institutions on how to spot early signs of bed bug infestations, response strategies, and effective treatment options. Continue reading<a name="Events"></a> for: <a href="#Events">Bed Bugs and Chicago Training Events</a>, <a href="#Outreach">Outreach that Informs and Empowers</a>, <a href="#Policy">Policy Making</a>, <a href="#Change">Making Institutional Change</a>
<h2>Bed Bugs and Chicago Training Events</h2>
Being informed and aware is the best way of controlling bed bugs. Our training events are held throughout Chicago and provide a basic knowledge of bed bug behavior and control.
<ul>
	<li>These sessions are offered to residents, landlords, and business owners.</li>
	<li>Designed in a “Train the Trainer” format, we provide attendees with materials and tools to share what they learn with their own organizations and residents.</li>
	<li>Bed Bugs in Chicago has trained over 3,100 individuals and impacted an estimated 144,000 households.</li>
	<li>Visit the <a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/mpac-events/">Upcoming Events Page</a> to sign up for the next training.</li>
	<li>Subscribe to our e-newsletter to be alerted when new events are<a name="Outreach"></a> scheduled.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013-Regional-Bedbug-Flyer-Banner-2.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-911 aligncenter" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013-Regional-Bedbug-Flyer-Banner-2-1024x411.jpg" alt="2013 Regional Bedbug Flyer Banner 2" width="410" height="164" /></a></p>

<h2>Outreach That Informs and Empowers</h2>
We have a number of resources that inform landlords and residents on their rights and responsibilities when it comes to bed bug treatment.
<ul>
	<li><a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/BITE-Back-Volume-12-Page-1.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-913 alignright" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/BITE-Back-Volume-12-Page-1-791x1024.jpg" alt="BITE Back Volume 12 Page 1" width="230" height="298" /></a>The <a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/MPAC-BITE-Back-newsletters-vol.1-11.pdf" target="_blank">B.I.T.E. Back! Newsletter</a>, which explores new options on controlling bed bugs, and how to be an informed consumer when paying for services and products.</li>
	<li>We have many materials in Spanish, and some in Polish, French, and Mandarin.</li>
	<li>Participating in and hosting information sessions on the Chicago Bed Bug<a name="Policy"></a> Ordinance.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Policy Making</h2>
Midwest Pesticide Action Center works to impact the greatest number of people for the greatest good.
<ul>
	<li>As part of our appointment duties to the Structural Pest Control Task Force,<a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/MPAC-Battling-Bed-Bugs-page-0-e1385066657229.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1094 alignright" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/MPAC-Battling-Bed-Bugs-page-0-e1385066657229.jpg" alt="MPAC Battling Bed Bugs-page-0" width="245" height="317" /></a> we worked with the state on the <a href="http://spcpweb.org/attachments/SOBBREPORT_10_14_11Final.pdf" target="_blank">State of Bed Bugs in Illinois report</a>, which makes recommendations regarding next steps for the state’s response to the bed bug problem.</li>
	<li>Midwest Pesticide Action Center has worked with the City of Chicago’s City Council to <a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/what-we-do/advancing-toxic-free-policies/">pass the public health-protection ordinance</a> on bed bugs, which classifies bed bugs as a public nuisance.</li>
	<li>The ordinance passed in 2013 and was based on the 2011 Midwest Pesticide Action Center Report: Bed Bugs: Making the Case for a Comprehensive<a name="Change"></a> Approach.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Making Institutional Change</h2>
Through customized training, workshops, and one-on-one education, Midwest Pesticide Action Center works with institutions and building mangers to develop strategies for structural and mechanical methods, monitoring, sanitation, and non-chemical and least-toxic treatments for the control of bed bugs and helps ensures the health of thousands of people. A short list of institutions we have worked with includes:
<ul>
	<li>Chicago Housing Authority</li>
	<li>Heartland Alliance</li>
	<li>Chicago Department of Family Support Services</li>
	<li>Mercy Housing</li>
	<li>LUCHA</li>
	<li>The University of Arizona</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>“We provide homes for the most vulnerable populations of society and have been greatly affected by the resurgence of bedbugs in the area. Our experience with this ‘new normal’ has really affected us and [Midwest Pesticide Action Center] has been an excellent ally in advising us on early detection and providing training resources for both our staff and participants. The training and informative resources [Midwest Pesticide Action Center] has provided to our organization are priceless.” - Director of Property Management, Heartland Housing</blockquote>
Contact Derek Spencer at dspencer@pesticideaction.org if your organization is interested in working with Midwest Pesticide Action Center. Much of our Beating Back Bed Bugs program is funded by the<a title="Polk Bros. Foundation" href="http://www.polkbrosfdn.org/" target="_blank"> Polk Bros. Foundation</a> and the <a title="City of Chicago Bed Bug Information" href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bacp/supp_info/bed_bug_information.html" target="_blank">City of Chicago</a>.
<h3>For More Information</h3>
<strong>University of Arizona Bed Bug Survey: </strong>Learn more about the study and take the survey to help researchers understand the factors behind bed bug infestations. <a title="University of Arizona Bed Bug Survey" href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/university-of-arizona-bed-bug-survey/">Learn More</a>

<strong>Battling Bed Bugs in Chicago- Making the Case for a Comprehensive Plan: </strong>Policy paper produced by Midwest Pesticide Action Center. <a class="more" href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/MPAC-Battling-Bed-Bugs.pdf">Learn More</a>

<strong>Chicago Bed Bug Ordinance:</strong> The City of Chicago passes a comprehensive public health-protection ordinance on bed bug control. <a class="more" href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/what-we-do/advancing-toxic-free-policies/">Learn More </a>

<strong>B.I.T.E. Back!</strong> We have 11 previous issues of the BITE Back! newsletter, which provides timely information on bed bug treatment and control. <a class="more" href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/MPAC-BITE-Back-newsletters-vol.1-11.pdf">Download All Issues </a>

<strong>In Your Home:</strong> For tips on controlling the spread of bed bugs by making smart decisions. <a class="more" title="In Your Home" href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/what-you-can-do/in-your-home/">Learn More</a>

<strong>View Resources</strong> in multiple languages for efficient and safe ways to control bed bugs.  <a class="more" title="View all Resources" href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/what-you-can-do/all-resources/">Learn More</a>