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

15 December 2025

Latest news

BPCA wrapped 2025: a message to members from Rosina Robson

In this video, Rosina Robson, Chief Executive of the British Pest Control Association, reflects on a year of momentum, challenge and progress for the Association.

Read more

31 October 2025

Latest news

VIDEO: Consumer vulnerability: recognising the signs, reducing the risks with Louise Baxter MBE

Louise Baxter MBE, Head of the National Trading Standards Scams Team and Non-Executive Director at TrustMark, explores what consumer vulnerability really means in 2025 and how it affects the work you do every day.

Read more

30 October 2025

Latest news

BPCA launch new careers hub, video and Open Doors Charter

Rosina Robson shares how the Association’s new pestcareers.org.uk hub, recruitment film, Open Doors Charter and social media campaign are helping to attract a more diverse, skilled and inspired workforce into pest management.

Read more
Latest View all news

15 December 2025

Latest news

Check for signs of uninvited guests ahead of Christmas

Experts at BPCA are urging householders to check for signs of pests around the home while getting ready for Christmas.

Read more

15 December 2025

Latest news

BPCA wrapped 2025: a message to members from Rosina Robson

In this video, Rosina Robson, Chief Executive of the British Pest Control Association, reflects on a year of momentum, challenge and progress for the Association.

Read more

15 December 2025

Latest news

BPCA joins the Alliance of Chemical Associations

British Pest Control Association has been voted into the Alliance of Chemical Associations, strengthening the Association’s voice on chemical regulation and public health policy.

Read more