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

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

02 June 2026

Latest news

No Small Matter report: Professional pest management saves UK £1.9bn a year

An independent report commissioned by BPCA reveals the economic and social value of professional pest control in the UK.

Read more

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
Latest View all news

23 September 2026

Latest news

Support for students as report highlights infestation impacts

An online guide is being issued to students in a bid to help them avoid pest problems as they settle into accommodation at the start of the academic year.

Read more

23 September 2026

Latest news

Lancashire Bird Control wins gong at National Pest Awards 2026

Press release: BPCA member company Lancashire Bird Control took home the award for Sustainability Initiative of the Year at the National Pest Awards 2026.

Read more

23 September 2026

Latest news

Over half of English councils recommend BPCA members, research finds

BPCA research has found that UK councils regularly recommend BPCA members to their residents.

Read more