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Ant identification class

June 10, 2020 by p-porter

Carpenter ants are easily distinguished from acrobat and other ants, if you know what to look for.

COVID-19 may have slowed things down temporarily, but IPM House classes will restart next month with advanced training on ant identification. This will be our second time to offer this course with guest trainer Dr. Robert Puckett.

Ants are one of the toughest pest groups for PMPs to identify. Because of their small size, ants generally require a microscope or a good hand lens, and a trained eye to identify. In this class participants will practice identifying a variety of ants with a hand lens and microscope.

Topics to be covered include introduction to ant biology and behavior, ant anatomy and recognition of the important Texas ant genera, ant sampling and surveillance, and fire ant biology and IPM. Hands-on activities include use of microscopes to look at different mosquito life stages and species.

The class is part of the IPM Experience House PMP Advanced Training classes. It will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center on Friday, July 16. Classes at IPM House include a combination of hands-on demonstrations and classroom instruction. Lunch is provided. (CEUs: 6 hours verified training in Pest Category, have requested CEU credit for Ag and SPCS). Early online registration (up to July 16) is $60. On site registration is $80. No refunds after the July 15.

We ask that all participants bring their own face mask. If you do not have one, we will provide one for you. Social distancing will be practiced during the class and hand sanitizer provided.

As a special bonus, Mike Bosco with Safehaven Pest Control will demonstrate proper technique for disinfection, and talk about disinfection as an add-on to your business. To register, and for more information, go to https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/productListingDetails/3150

Social distancing and IPM House

March 17, 2020 by p-porter

Who would have believed, even one week ago, that coronavirus would dominate our lives so quickly and severely? This sort of thing is something that happens to other countries, not ours. Yet here we are.

The reality of coronavirus hit home last week when we realized we couldn’t follow through with our plans to offer a long-planned mosquito control class as part of our IPM Experience House class curricula. Texas A&M AgriLife and our local campus have moved to emergency mode, effectively shutting most training classes down for the foreseeable future.

In addition to IPM House classes, upcoming school IPM coordinator training courses are similarly affected. We are still cautiously considering whether we may be able to offer classes in May and June.

It took me a while to grasp the significance of the coronavirus shutdown strategy; but for what it’s worth, here are a few facts and links that turned me around this week.

Understanding that the COVID-19 is not just another seasonal flu. It’s a disease with 4 to 7X higher mortality rate than the flu and longer persistence in the environment than the flu (up to 3 days on stainless steel and plastic). Maybe worst of all, people (especially children) who catch it can be contagious without even realizing they are sick.
We don’t hear a lot about the plight of those who catch this virus and recover (not as gripping in headlines), but this is not a virus to take lightly. Early reports suggest the possibility of chronic lung impairment in some recovering COVID-19 patients.
Yeah, it sounded bad in China, but look at Italy. In Italy, where health care systems are more similar to our own but where quarantine actions were slow to be adopted, a crisis situation developed with lightning speed in emergency rooms of afflicted areas. And if you think Italy’s health care is inferior to our own, consider one statistic. In hospital beds per 1,000 people, Italy leads the US 3.2 to 2.8. Anyone thinking that our doctors and hospitals could do better in the face of overwhelming numbers of cases as in Italy would be wrong.
Thankfully, there is a strategy behind the “stay at home” message we are hearing so much about. It’s called flattening the curve, and it’s based on the impact that self isolation and social distancing can have on the speed of spread of COVID-19. While it may seem inevitable that some of us will get the virus, by reducing our exposure to others we can slow the rate of virus spread. And if we do this, we might be able to spare our health care system the tsunami of cases seen in Italy.
Our country rightly invests billions of dollars each year in science and health care. It’s time to listen to those smart folks who have dedicated their lives and their intellects to understanding health and illness and the spread of disease. They don’t know everything, of course, but they know a lot more than us non-health professionals know.

So for all these reasons, I am working this week in an empty building with plenty of social distance around me. We use hand sanitizer, wash our hands regularly and stay away from large gatherings including, unfortunately, classes where we might otherwise be training some of you.

Let us pray for our communities and our nation, and look forward to celebrating a return to face to face interactions in a matter of weeks. Be assured that our IPM training classes will resume as soon as possible.

2019 ACE Prep Class in Dallas

November 25, 2019 by p-porter

A prep class for the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) exam will be offered December 12-13 in Dallas. The class will provide an [optional] opportunity to take the ACE exam on the second day. The class at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas is part of IPM Experience House course series for 2019.

Prep classes are usually small and lively in discussion. Last year’s class included (from left): Brandon Guy and Bruce Guy (Bugs and Blooms), Mike Merchant (Instructor), David Gayle (Gayle Pest Control), Brad Hudson and William (Ashley) Jenkins (Presto-X) and Rodney Hall (Home Exterminating Services).

With over 1,000 ACEs nationwide, the Certification program of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) is the fastest growing certification program for PMPs.

Classes provides a review of fundamental entomology and basic knowledge requirements for the exam. The training is intended as either a kick off for the studying process, or as a last minute review and confidence building class (not a substitute for comprehensive studying). Coincidently, the class is also good for new technicians who would like a broad overview of the science of pest management.

Test taking success rates are much higher with good preparation.

Costs for the class

Registration for the Dallas class is available online and costs $60 ($70 after 12/09; click here for agenda and registration). Snacks and water are provided at the Dallas class; lunch is on your own. As part of the IPM Experience House curricula, the Dallas class also includes some extra time with microscopes and specimen viewing.

Size of the prep class is limited to 30 students. Up to 4 CEU credits will be available for those providing license numbers. In addition, you have the option to purchase the highly recommended: ACE Study Guide “IPM for the Urban Professional: A Study Guide for the Associate Certified Entomologist.” Entomological Society of America -$49

How Do I Get Certified?

So what’s involved with getting certified? First you have to qualify. To become an ACE, you must:
Have five years experience in pest control (three years for those with an entomology degree);
hold a current U.S. pesticide applicator’s license; and agree to sign the ACE code of ethics.
If you think you qualify, you can apply through the ESA/ACE website. The application fee is $355 for ESA members and $395 for non-ESA members.

After being approved by the ESA, you will need to study to take the ACE exam. Information about how to study for the exam and what study materials are recommended can be found on the ESA website. Note: if you plan to take the exam after the class prior study is highly recommended. The Prep Class is not a prerequisite for taking the exam, however many people find that the class is a useful way to prepare for study.

Finishing 2019 Strong at IPM House

October 14, 2019 by p-porter

We are please to offer three courses for pest management professionals this November and December at IPM Experience House. All IPM House classes provide a mix of lecture, demonstration and hands-on practice.

The PMP Toolbox

Successful pest control requires being familiar with the tools of the trade. Tools of the Trade: Equipment and Materials for Pest Control, is a new class to be offered on November 8. This class will provide an overview of essential pest control tools, how they work, how to use them, and how to maintain them. We will also cover exclusion materials and techniques for pest proofing. All topics will be covered from the perspective of Integrated pest management (IPM) and new technologies will be discussed. This will be an excellent class for both new and seasoned technicians. Guest trainers include Randall Kennedy, with Dallas Fort Worth Wildlife Control, and Greg Orr with B&G Equipment Company.

This is a one-day class that runs from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Certificates will be given for 7 hours of verifiable classroom training for apprentices. Up to 3 Structural CEU credits will be awarded. Lunch is provided. Cost is $60 preregistration. Click here to register today, class size is limited.

Rats!

We are proud to offer Rodent Academy for the third year in a row with Dr. Bobby Corrigan. Rodent Academy is in demand across the U.S. and this is your only Texas opportunity to take it. The course is intended for pest management professionals, municipalities, universities, public schools, and food safety personnel involved in the rodent control programs.

This year’s course will be held December 17-19. In addition to Dr. Corrigan, we will have distinguished presenters Dr. Claudia Riegel, from the City of New Orleans, Travis Gates with ABC Home and Commercial Services in Dallas, Scott Smith with Bell Laboratories, as well as the IPM House faculty, Dr. Mike Merchant and Janet Hurley. If your company does rodent control or exclusion, or would like to expand into this lucrative area, you’ll want to sit in on this fascinating three days of lecture and hands-on activities.

Note that Rodent Academy will be held in a new location this year. While still at the Texas A&M AgriLife Dallas campus, we have moved into the classroom located in the new Water Education building on the north end of the main parking lot. Check the map on the registration page for directions. Cost for the three-day class is $300, lunches and snacks included.

ACE Prep

If you’ve been a pest control professional for five years or more and would like to be recognized by your peers and your customers for your hard work and professionalism, consider the Associate Certified Entomology program. This program is available to qualified professionals who can pass a certification exam. The ACE Prep class is an intensive one-and-a-half day class designed to help prepare you to take the ACE exam.

The ACE Prep class is really for three kinds of people. It’s for young professionals starting out who would like a succinct overview of the science of entomology and pest control. It’s for the ACE candidate who has studied hard on their own and just wants a final “cram” and confidence booster before the exam. And it’s for anyone interested in preparing for the ACE exam, but who isn’t sure how best to study. If you fall in this last category the ACE Prep class is just the thing to orient you to what to study, and get you pumped up to hit the books.

This year’s ACE Prep class will be held in the Healthy Living Building Classroom (formerly the Education Building) on December 12-13. Lunch is provided. Cost for the two-day class is $100. Mark your calendar now; registration is coming soon.

Getting the bugs out: Bed bug Academy 2019

August 26, 2019 by p-porter

Registration is now open for our first ever bed bug training academy at IPM Experience House.

What: This class will provide basic and advanced training in bed bug recognition, treatment methods and problem solving. Registration open until September 25, or until the class is full. Class size limited to 20. No refunds after September 23.

Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Building E Classroom.

When: September 25, 2019. 8:15 am to 5 pm.

Instructors: Mike Merchant, Janet Hurley, Alan Brown. (CEUs: 8 hours verified training in Pest Category, 1 CEU IPM, 1 CEU Pest)

How to Register: Click here to register online.

Agenda:

[8:15 – 8:30 am] Pre-test
[8:30 am] Introductions/orientation
[8:45 am] Introduction to bed biology & ID [classroom – Merchant]
[9:45 am] Break
[10:00 am] Introduction to IPM, monitoring, inspections [classroom – Hurley]
[11:00 am] Round 1 Stations. Stations [IPM House – All instructors]
1. Inspection: sofas [Merchant]
2. Heat treatment – solarization [Hurley]
3. Heat treatment setup [Brown]
[12:00 pm] Lunch
[12:30 pm] Control options for bed bugs [Classroom – Brown]
1. Vacuuming/steam/tape
2. Heating/cold
3. Dusts for bed bug control
4. Pesticides
5. Fumigants
[2:15 pm] Round 2 Stations [IPM House – All instructors]
1. Bed bug ID [Merchant]
2. Checking heat treatment [Brown]
3. Applying insecticides [JJ]
[3:30 pm] Thresholds and low-income customers [classroom – Brown]
1. What is a threshold?
2. Options for low-income customers
  1. Other options?
3. [4:00 pm] Mystery bugs and bed bugs [classroom – Merchant]
  1. What are mystery bugs?
  2. Delusional clients
4. [4:15] Problem solving exercise. [Classroom – all instructors]
5. [4:45 pm] Evaluations and Post-test
6. [5:00 pm] Dismissal

Save the dates for ants, equipment, safety and bed bugs

July 2, 2019 by p-porter

The IPM Experience House has three new advanced training courses on the calendar. These are not just any classes. Board Certified Entomologists and experienced professionals share their insights and knowledge in the most personalized training you can find anywhere in the state of Texas. You will definitely want to add these classes to your calendar.

Ants! Ants! Ants! Register Now!

On July 30 we are offering advanced training in ant identification for pest management professionals. Topics to be covered include an introduction to ant biology, taxonomy and morphology, how to monitor ants, and general principles of fire ant and other ant control.

We will make extensive use of microscopes to learn to recognize the key aspects of ant structure and develop the ability to identify ants to the genus level with a microscope. Students will collect ants from the field and identify their catch.

Details. Cost $60 in advance and $80 after July 26. Lunch is provided. Depending on availability, registration will remain open until the day of the class; however, class size limited to 15. No refunds after July 26. Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Building E Classroom. 8 am to 3:30 pm. Instructors: Drs. Mike Merchant and Robert Puckett. (CEUs: 6.5 hours verified training in Pest Category, 1 CEU Pest, 1 CEU IPM). Register now at Conference Services Website

Getting the Bugs Out – Register now!

On September 25, long-time bed bug specialist for ABC Home and Commercial Services, Alan Brown, will be providing his insights into best practices for bed bug control. In addition to classroom training on the finer points of the “modern bed bug,” the class will get hands on experience with inspecting, treating and developing practical and effective follow-up plans for your customers. Register now at Conference Services Website

Details. SAVE THE DATE. More details coming soon.

Spring class schedule includes mosquitoes and general pests

May 7, 2019 by p-porter

Instructors, like Scott Sawlis of the Dallas County Health Department, bring years of experience to the classroom.

Spring is a great time to learn! With that as inspiration, we want you to know about two new IPM House courses scheduled for May and June.

First, mark your calendars for May 28. On this day we’ll be offering Introduction to Mosquito Control for PMPs –a great class if you are a technician or owner considering adding mosquito control to your list of services. The class on May 28 is an introduction to mosquito management–perfect for owners, managers or technicians.

The course provides essential information for any pest management professional engaged in providing mosquito control services. Topics include an introduction to mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit; the role and tools of surveillance; how to conduct a backyard mosquito inspection, mosquito control methods and equipment. In addition, we will use microscopes to look at different mosquito life stages and species. Instructors include Extension medical entomologist Dr. Sonja Swiger, and Target Specialty Product‘s Vector Control specialist, Patrick Sutton.

mosquito control class learns about insecticide spray equipment

In IPM House classes, students learn practical use and maintenance of equipment for mosquito and pest control.

On Friday, June 28 we will be offering General Household Pest Training. This class provides necessary Pest Category training for new apprentices and introduction to general pest control for new technicians. Topics to be covered will include introduction to entomology and general orders of insects; general insect pests; mosquitoes; rodents and other animal pests. In addition, we will cover an introduction to IPM and pesticides, and equipment used in pest control. Hands-on activities include use of various sprayers and dusters, bait applications and situational problem solving.

All classes at IPM House provide a combination of hands-on demonstrations and classroom instruction. Lunch will be provided. Both classes have a $50 early registration fee ($75 late registration). Class size is limited, so register soon. Details and registration for both classes can be found at the https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu website (search for “mosquito” or “household pest”). Or click on the following links.

Mosquito Control Training May 28

General Household Pest Training June 28

Intro to termite control April 4

March 26, 2019 by p-porter

Time to prepare your team for termite swarming season.

On April 4 the IPM Experience House will offer its next course in termite control for te

chnicians.

This is our third year to offer this class for orienting new termite technicians to the art and science of termite control. Termite control expert, Dr. Bob Davis, will be demonstrating practical field skills for setting up and executing a soil termiticide job. Kevin Keim, with Corteva, will provide an overview of termite baiting, including practical aspects of bait placement and installation. They are joined by Dr. Mike Merchant in the classroom to provide some of the basic biology of termites you need to know if you are to be on the top of your game.

technician digging termite trench in front of IPM House sign

IPM House Termite training includes hands-on experience.

Owners, this is a great opportunity to get new or old employees ready for termite season. Half of the class will be classroom, and half will be in the field, conducting a termite treatment. One termite CEU will be offered for those who complete the class.

Topics covered:
• Introduction to termites
• Theory and practice of termite baiting
• Introduction to termite soil treatment
• Hands-on Demonstrations at IPM Experience House
o Preparing the treatment diagram
o Estimating a bait job and station placement
o Problem solving
o Estimating a soil termiticide job
o Soil injection equipment
o Spray rig calibration
o Safe mixing
o Application of soil applied termiticides

Details

This year’s class will be held in Building E – the Education Building classroom.

Hours of the class are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The class will be held in the Building E (Education Building) classroom at the Texas A&M AgriLife Center on Coit Road. Because of ongoing construction, we ask that you enter the campus through the secondary (south) entrance, and park directly behind Building E (see map).

Class size will be limited to 22 and lunch is included with registration. Click here for registration and additional information.

ACE Prep Classes in Dec and Jan

November 26, 2018 by p-porter

Prepare for the ACE exam with some of the top PMPs in your area. Most class participants feel that the interactive class setting provides a higher level of confidence going into the exam.

Prep classes for the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) exam will be offered in both December (Dallas) and January (College Station). Both classes provide an opportunity to take the ACE exam on the second day. The December class will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas as part of IPM Experience House. The January class will be held as part of the annual Texas A&M University Urban Pest Management Conference and Workshop in Bryan, TX.

With over 1,000 ACEs nationwide, the Certification program of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) is the fastest growing certification program for PMPs.

We find that the biggest hurdles for PMPs wanting certification include uncertainty about how to prepare for the ACE exam, and fear of test-taking. That’s where the ACE Prep Class comes in. The Dallas class, December 20-21, is a one-and-a-half day course followed by an opportunity to take the ACE exam on the afternoon of day 2. The College Station class, held Jan 16, is an abbreviated, one-day class, with opportunity for exam-taking on Jan 17. Both classes will be team-taught by Drs. Mike Merchant and Bob Davis.

Test taking success rates are much higher with good preparation.

Costs for the class

Registration for the Dallas class is available online and costs $100 ($150 after 12/18; click here for agenda and registration). Snacks and water are provided at the Dallas class; lunch is on your own. As part of the IPM Experience House curricula, the Dallas class also includes some extra time with microscopes and specimen viewing.

For the College Station class you must register for the full Texas A&M Urban Pest Management Conference and Workshop (click here for more information). According to Lisa Jordan, Conference administrator, the pre-registration price of $200 is good through December 7 (late or onsite registration is $225). If you want to take the ACE exam at the Conference you will also need to apply for the ACE program and pay the fees ahead of time.

How Do I Get Certified?

After being approved by the ESA, you will need to study to take the ACE exam. Information about how to study for the exam and what study materials are recommended can be found on the ESA website. Note that if you plan to take the exam after either of these classes, prior study is highly recommended. The Prep Class is not a prerequisite for taking the exam.

Rodent Academy sign up

October 11, 2018 by p-porter

Personal attention is one of the benefits of Rodent Academy and other IPM Experience House classes. Here Dr. Corrigan advises during a rodent problem-solving session.

Registration for our Fall Rodent Academy is now open. One of our most popular courses, this class is based on the popular New York City Rodent Academy. The 3-day course will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Center at Dallas on December 11-13. Special guest trainer for the training is nationally recognized “rodentologist”, Dr. Bobby Corrigan. Bobby will lead the class through a highly focused, science-based approach to managing rodent populations through IPM.

Goals for the course include improved management of rodent populations through better understanding of the biology, behavior, and habitat of rodents; helping students better understand factors that contribute to rodent infestations; and training students to develop better site-specific problem solving skills and more effective communication with customers.

This year’s class is sponsored by Target Specialty Products.

Who Should Attend?
This course is intended for pest management professionals, municipalities, universities, public schools, and food safety personnel involved in rodent control programs. This is an advanced course, so students should ideally have a basic understanding of rodent control principles. The Academy is not designed, or appropriate, for new-hire training. We suggest that supervisors, managers, and owners attend the class with the intent to be better prepared to teach their own employees.

Curriculum

The course will include both in-class and field training components. Instructors include Dr. Bobby Corrigan, Janet Hurley (AgriLife Extension), Sylvia Kenmuir (Target Specialty Products) and Emory Matts (Rentokil). Classroom topics include:

Health significance of rodents
Rodents and allergens
Biology and behavior of rodents
Overview of Integrated Pest Management
Pesticide labels and federal regulations
Exterior bait boxes – what, where, how?
Alternative tools & techniques for rat control
Mouse IPM in apartment/private homes
Rodent control

Hands-on, field training will involve small group interaction at real field sites. Topics addressed by the group will include:

Evaluating the account: what to look for
Proper placement of bait stations and snap traps
Rodent exclusion techniques
Site-specific best management practices

Tuition

Tuition for the 3-day class is $300, which includes cost of a class notebook, other handouts, snacks and lunches. Registration and a detailed class agenda is available here.

Course Requirements

Students should plan to attend all days of the class. To receive a certificate of Rodent Academy Completion, each student will be expected to:

Participate in all class activities
Complete two homework assignments
Participate in a field trip that involves team work and team analysis

Note that class size is limited to 30, but we will keep a waiting list. Any companies who miss getting into this class will remain on the waiting list for inclusion in subsequent Academies.