Latest 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

26 August 2026

Latest news

SOFHT announced as first strategic partner for PestAware Summit 2027

British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has announced the Society of Food Hygiene and Technology (SOFHT) as the first strategic partner for PestAware Summit 2027.

Read more

30 July 2026

Latest news

BPCA seeks industry experience on working dogs

As greater public attention has fallen on hunting and the use of dogs, BPCA is asking pest professionals to share their experiences with using working dogs.

Read more

30 June 2026

Latest news

GET INVOLVED: Innovative block treatment - could you be part of the treatment phase?

Veritas Pest Consultancy are conducting a new and innovative project that is tackling a long-seated cockroach and bed bug infestation in a 22-story block of flats in Wolverhampton.

Read more
Latest View all news

13 October 2026

Latest news

VIDEO: What role will pest professionals play in yellow-legged (Asian) hornet control?

From recognising a suspect hornet to understanding why an unreported nest treatment can cause problems, this BPCA debate explores where pest professionals fit into the response.

Read more

09 October 2026

Latest news

Early action on pests can help ease distress, says BPCA

Ahead of World Mental Health Day, BPCA are urging householders to take swift action and help avoid the mental health impacts of living with an infestation.

Read more

08 October 2026

Latest news

Check your CRRU-UK CPD before the year-end deadline

BPCA is reminding members to check their technicians’ CRRU-UK CPD records before 31 December 2026, so they have the points they need for 2027.

Read more