Mosquito control for PMPs

Mosquito control is one of the fastest growing sectors of the pest control industry, offered today (2017) by 55% of companies compared to 38% in 2014 (PCT 2017 State of the Mosquito Control Market).  Mosquito control service can provide homeowners with additional layer of security from mosquito bites around their own homes. But do you and your employees have the knowledge and skills to provide satisfactory mosquito control for new and old customers?

This class provides an introduction to mosquitoes and mosquito biology.  We’ll go through some of the basics of mosquito adult and larval identification, learn how to identify mosquito risk zones around the home and how to communicate with customers about risks from mosquito-borne disease. Different insecticide application methods and equipment will be demonstrated.

Training will include both classroom, and hands-on and outdoor training at IPM Experience House. Cost for the course is $20 (partly subsidized by Centers for Disease Control), includes lunch, snacks and water.   To register, CLICK HERE to go to the AgriLife Registration website.  Questions may be directed to Sharon Harris via phone (972-952-9201) or email (SRHarris@ag.tamu.edu).  Don’t delay! Registration will be limited to the first 25 to sign up.

Agenda: Practical mosquito control for PMPs

Trainers:

Dr. Sonja Swiger, Associate Professor and Extension Med/Vet Entomologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Stephenville.

Dr. Mike Merchant, Professor and Extension Urban Entomologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Mr. Keith Haas, Product Development Entomologist, Specialty Products, Central Life Sciences

Mr. Scott Sawlis, Dallas County Health and Human Services

Agenda 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Introduction to Mosquitoes for PMPs

1. [8:30 am] Introductions
2. [8:45 am] Intro to mosquitoes [Merchant]
   1. General Mosquito Biology
   2. Important types of mosquitoes and their risk for disease
3. [10:00 am] Mosquito identification lab [Swiger, Merchant, Haas]
   1. Use of microscopes [hands on]
   2. General notes on how mosquito larvae are identified [hands on]
   3. Identifying the big three
      1. Yellow fever mosquito
      2. Asian tiger mosquito
      3. Southern house mosquito
      4. Other species of interest
4. [12:00 pm] Lunch [catered]
5. [12:45 pm] Mosquito surveillance [Swiger]
   1. Importance of surveillance to municipal mosquito control [ppt]
   2. Receiving vector reports from Dallas, Tarrant County [handout]
   3. Demonstration of different mosquito traps, sample sorting [hands on]
6. [1:45 pm] Mosquito control [Haas, Sawlis, Swiger]
   1. Mosquito larvicides [ppt]
   2. Mosquito adulticides [ppt]
   3. Equipment demonstrations
      1. Backpack mister
      2. ULV
      3. Other
7. [3:00 pm] Backyard survey of IPM Experience House (looking for mosquito breeding sites)
8. [3:20 pm] Quiz