Pests news from BPCA

31 July 2024

Paris 2024 athletes first to use new rapid bed bug detection technology

PRESS RELEASE

Athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics are among the first users of the consumer BugScents™ Sentry product for early detection of bed bugs. This product allows athletes to rest and recover without the worry of being bitten by bed bugs and stay focused on performing at the highest level during the Games. 

Paris2024athletesfirsttousenewrapidbedbugdetectiontechnology

Arctech Innovation, a spin-out company from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), is excited to announce the launch of BugScents™ Sentry and Sentry Pro – two new bed bug trap products powered by novel scent technology for early and rapid detection of bed bugs.

Arctech Innovation has launched two products:

  • BugScents™ Sentry Pro is a professional-grade product available in a 4-pack for pest controllers. It is designed for year-long use as a monitoring solution.
  • BugScents™ Sentry is a portable and reusable consumer-friendly product targeted at holidaymakers, business people staying in hotels, and people worried about bed bugs in their homes.

Arctech Innovation stated: 

"Developed through a decade of rigorous research by scientific experts at Arctech Innovation and LSHTM, these revolutionary products are inspired by nature by exploiting bed bug biology. The scientists discovered that bed bugs produce a pheromone which attracts bed bugs, and then developed a formulation to consistently release the bed bug pheromone over three months, creating an effective attractant technology.

Attracting bed bugs to a trap is difficult, but getting bed bugs to enter a trap is an even greater challenge. Many existing trap designs on the market fail because bed bugs are reluctant to enter them.

Using Arctech Innovation’s unique experience in insect behaviour and product design, a novel insect-inspired detection trap was designed which includes 60 ‘guide channels’ to guide bed bugs inside, exploiting their preference to follow an edge. Additionally, a replaceable glue insert positioned on the roof of the trap captures bed bugs sneakily on their backs, taking advantage of their aversion to step on glue with their feet. With an incredibly discreet 10mm thick profile, the trap can be placed out of sight.

"Powered by the highly-effective attractant technology, combined with a novel insect-inspired design, BugScents™ Sentry and Sentry Pro are built expertly to manipulate bed bug’s natural behaviour to capture and detect bed bugs quickly and effectively".

The BugScents™ Sentry product is available to purchase directly from bugscents.com.

Source:

Highlights View all news

24 February 2026

Latest news

SURVEY: Home Office plans to change firearms licensing – tell us how it might impact you

While no new consultation has yet been launched, proposals to align shotgun licensing more closely with rifle controls could have serious implications for pest professionals who rely on shotguns for legitimate, professional use.

Read more

13 March 2025

Latest news

Hantavirus and the role of pest control in preventing its spread

Following news of a high profile Hantavirus death recently, we've put together some information on the virus and how good pest management can help stop it spreading.

Read more

06 November 2024

Latest news

CRRU UK prepares rodenticide users for 2026 certification requirements

CRRU UK confirms that from 2026, sellers of professional-use rodenticides will only accept two forms of proof of competence at the point of sale.

Read more
Latest View all news

06 March 2026

Latest news

BPCA Chief Executive recognised in Women in Trade Associations Powerlist 2026

BPCA Chief Executive Rosina Robson has been named in the Women in Trade Associations Powerlist 2026

Read more

05 March 2026

Latest news

BPCA submits response to EU biocides review

BPCA has submitted a response to the European Commission’s consultation on the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) Refit, setting out what needs to change to keep public health pest control effective, affordable and innovation-friendly.

Read more

05 March 2026

Latest news

Avoiding illicit Advion pitfalls

Pest controllers are being warned to be careful to only source their Advion Cockroach and Advion Ant gel products from the authorised distribution network, or potentially fall foul of counterfeit product that could adversely affect results and ris...

Read more