Breakthrough in Bed Bug Detection Debuts; Groundbreaking technology offers long-term, proactive monitoring of bed bugs / November 2011

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 30, 2011 – The Verifi™ bed bug detector from FMC Corporation is a breakthrough in bed bug detection technology. It is the first bed bug detection tool to provide continuous detection of bed bugs for up to 90 days at a time in a small, easy-to-use device. Verifi provides hotels and their guests with peace of mind in the face of an ever-worsening bed bug epidemic. (See FAQ's for hotels below)

Verifi is the first bed bug detection device to provide three months of active detection before re-activating with affordable replacement components. A pest management professional can quickly and easily install the device for year-round monitoring in hotel rooms, lounges, storage rooms, conference rooms and many other areas where bed bugs may become a problem. And unlike canine and other detection methods, Verifi is discrete and unobtrusive, operates silently, and does not require the room to be out of service.

This breakthrough bed bug detection technology works via an exclusive, patent-pending combination of three bed bug lures, including:

A CO2-generating cartridge which mimics a living, breathing host,
A liquid kairomone lure that works to attract bed bugs seeking a meal, and
A liquid pheromone lure that encourages bed bugs to aggregate in the device.

“In addition, the Verifi design ensures that the lures are vented appropriately so that there are no mixed-signals,” said Rick Ekins, marketing manager at FMC. “Hungry bed bugs are attracted to the kairomones vented through the pitfall where they will fall in and cannot escape. An aggregation pheromone vents out the back toward the harborage, which is designed to create a favorable environment for bed bugs to hide.”

With Verifi there’s no need to disassemble a room to perform an inspection. The self-adhering detector fits almost anywhere, including behind and underneath furniture. A single pest control technician can install it within minutes, reducing the cost and disruption required by visual inspections, canine inspection teams or the bulky machines currently used for detection.

Verifi provides three levels of guest protection. It helps detect current infestations and gives the pest management professional valuable information required to define an effective treatment program. After treatment, Verifi can be used to confirm that treatments were successful and provide ongoing detection to ensure that bed bugs are gone or to identify any new bed bugs that are introduced.

Dr. Susan Jones, associate professor of entomology, The Ohio State University, was one of several notable bed bug experts who tested the device prior to its debut. "The Verifi bed bug detector can be left in place long-term. It is relatively small and unobtrusive,” she said. “I would think a lot of hotels would want to put them in every room.”

For more information, visit www.verifibedbug.com.

NOTE: Verifi is not a bed bug control product; it is intended for detection of bed bugs only and does not prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate bed bugs or any other pest. FMC offers a variety of products and formulations registered for control bed bugs, as well as other economically important pests.

About FMC Corporation
FMC Corporation is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial and consumer markets globally for more than a century with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. In 2010, FMC had annual sales of approximately $3.1 billion. The company employs approximately 5,000 people throughout the world, and operates its businesses in three segments: Agricultural Products, Specialty Chemicals and Industrial Chemicals. For more information, visit www.FMC.com.

Always read and follow use directions. Verifi is intended for detection of bed bugs only and does not prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate bed bugs or any other pest. FMC and Verifi are trademarks of FMC Corporation. © 2011 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved.

Frequently Asked Questions

(Hotels)

What is the Verifi™ bed bug detector?

The Verifi™ bed bug detector is a new bed bug detection tool that gives pest management professionals a better, easier and more economical way to inspect for bed bugs. Small, discreet and easy-to-use, Verifi features an optimized combination of attractants to draw in and detect bed bugs of all life stages for up to 90 days.

Who makes the Verifi bed bug detector?

The Verifi bed bug detector was developed and manufactured by FMC Corporation. Based in Philadelphia, FMC offers the pest control industry’s most trusted brands, including Talstar®, Transport®, Cynoff® insecticides and CB aerosols.

How does the Verifi bed bug detector work?

The Verifi bed bug detector features three attractants to lure bed bugs over both short and long periods of time. These attractants include the Verifi™ CO₂ Booster Pack, which mimics a living, breathing host for approximately 24 hours through an exclusive chemical reaction—no batteries or other power sources required. The Verifi™ Lure features two additional attractants, a kairomone that works to attract bed bugs seeking a meal, and a pheromone that works on bed bugs’ natural desire to gather together, both of which are continuously and uniformly emitted for up to 90 days.

Verifi is unique in the way that it segregates attractants to prevent bed bug confusion. The CO₂ and kairomone lure are vented to draw host-seeking bed bugs to the pitfall where they become trapped and cannot escape detection. The pheromone is vented so that aggregation-seeking bed bugs are drawn to the harborage area of the device. Pest professionals can then inspect the device one to seven days after placement for an initial reading, as well as up to 90 days later, thus ensuring no new infestations have occurred and/or that treatment was successful.

Who can use it?

The Verifi bed bug detector should be installed and inspected by a pest management professional who has been trained by FMC on proper use and handling.

How does my pest professional use the Verifi bed bug detector?

A pest management professional simply activates and assembles the device and then adheres it vertically to any flat surface (walls, headboard, furniture, etc.) where bed bugs are suspected—no tools required. Pest professionals then return within one to seven days to inspect the device and determine what treatment, if any, is necessary. The pest professional can return to inspect and service the device to give you and your customers continuous peace of mind.

How is the Verifi bed bug detector different than what’s on the market?

The Verifi bed bug detector offers many benefits over current detection methods, including:

Discrete, small and easy-to-use. With the Verifi bed bug detector, the potential for human error due to subjectivity is minimized. And unlike canine detection, Verifi does not allow for false positives (indicating an infestation is present when there are no bed bugs.), which helps you avoid the cost and environmental concerns of unnecessary chemical applications. In addition, the unobtrusive device does not require your rooms to be taken out of service while detection takes place.

Cost-effective. Verifi does not require a large financial or time investment. It can be assembled, installed and serviced by one person. Verifi eliminates the need to disassemble and reassemble rooms, minimizing the labor and fatigue associated with visual inspections.

90 days of detection. The replaceable Verifi Lure continues to attract bed bugs for up to 90 days.

Comprehensive. Because it attracts both host-seeking and aggregation-seeking bed bugs without causing confusion, Verifi casts a very wide net—influencing all stages of bed bug instars. This enables Verifi to successfully detect very low levels of infestation, which is critical to managing a bed bug population in the earliest possible stages.

Where can the Verifi bed bug detector be used?
The Verifi bed bug detector can be installed on walls, on headboards or behind furniture for discreet detection in hotel rooms, conference centers, lounges and lobbies. Because it is unobtrusive and operates silently, there is no need to take rooms out of service while the device is in use.

How many devices should be used per room?

For the average hotel room, FMC recommends the placement of four detectors in the room with the suspected infestation, as well as in adjacent rooms, including those above and below. Your pest management technician should install two devices near the head of the bed, one near the foot of the bed and a fourth on or near other frequently used furniture. Adjacent rooms should also be considered.

Do I need to stop using the room?

Unless there are visible signs of bed bug activity, there is no need to take the room, or adjacent rooms, out of service when inspecting for bed bugs. Once a suspected infestation has been confirmed, the room will need to be taken out of service so that it can be treated.

Will the Verifi bed bug detector irritate guests?

No. The Verifi bed bug detector uses components that are naturally occurring and undetectable to humans. A zip-tie closure helps prevent tampering with inner components.

What do I do if the device finds bugs?

Once you’ve established that an infestation is present, your pest management professional can recommend a control strategy. FMC offers several solutions. In addition, your pest professional can continue checking the Verifi bed bug detector after treatment to confirm success and to ensure that no new bed bugs have been introduced to the room.

What if the device does not find bugs?

If the Verifi bed bug detector does not find any bed bugs on the first inspection (within seven days), there is no need for chemical applications. Your pest management professional can inspect and service the device on a regular basis to make sure that no new bed bugs have been introduced and you can feel secure knowing that Verifi is providing ongoing detection.

Where can I get help with the Verifi bed bug detector?

The Verifi bed bug detector is supported by a technical service department at 800-321-1362.