About Us

- Who We Are
- Steering Committee
- Task Force Partners

Who We Are
The Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force formed in November 2008 because of the growing number of bed bug infestations in Franklin County. It is a collaborative endeavor including representatives from local governments, health departments, social service agencies, pest control applicators, landlord and tenants rights groups, fire departments, the Ohio Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health, and the Ohio State University Extension.

The goal of the task force is to prevent bed bug infestations through education and serve as a resource to those struggling with an infestation.

No community is immune to bed bugs. Socio - economic status is not an indicator of one’s susceptibility to a bed bug infestation nor is it an indicator if someone is dirty. Anyone can experience an infestation.

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Steering Committee
The steering committee is made up of individuals with a wide range of expertise regarding bed bug infestations. To send comments to the steering commiettee, please contact us.

• Matt Beal, The Ohio Department of Agriculture
• Bethany Dohnal, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
• Andrew Christman, Ohio Pest Management Association,
  The Ohio Exterminating Co. Inc.
• Dr. Susan Jones, Ohio State University Extension Office
• Paul Wenning, Task Force Chairperson

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Task Force Partners
Buckeye Real Estate
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
City of Hilliard Code Enforcement
City of Whitehall Code Enforcement
Columbus Apartment Association
Columbus City Schools
Columbus Code Enforcement
Columbus Division of Fire
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
Columbus Public Health
Columbus Urban League
Dragoo and Associates Property Management
Franklin County Public Health
Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MRDD)
Franklin County Children's Services
Franklin County Office on Aging
Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
Grove City Area Visitors and Convention Bureau
HandsOn Central Ohio
Huckleberry House, Inc.
Jackson Township Division of Fire
The Legal Aid Society of Columbus
LifeCare Alliance
Madison Township Fire Department
New York vs Bed Bugs
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Ohio Department of Commerce
Ohio Department of Health
Ohio Department of Health - School Nurse Program
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Ohio Exterminating Company
OhioHealth - Doctors Hospitals
Orkin
Ohio Pest Management Association
Ohio State University Extension
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University Student Housing Legal Clinic
Quality Pest Control
Reynoldsburg City Schools
Roger C. Perry and Company Realtors
Rose Pest Solutions
Rx Protect
St. Agatha School
South-Western City Schools
State Fire Marshal Inspection Bureau
State of Ohio, Division of Industrial Compliance
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO)
Truro Township Fire Department
Upper Arlington City Schools
Varment Guard
Veterans Administration
Washington Township Fire Department
Washington Township Trustees
Westerville City Schools
Whitehall City Schools
Wright State University

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