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IPM Experience House Announcing Structural Pest Control Training this Fall

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First up is the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Certification program which is part of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). It is the fastest growing certification program for pest management professionals nationwide, founded by Dr. Mike Merchant (retired) and Dr. Bob Davis to promote professionalism. This 3 ½ week course will provide a comprehensive review of fundamental entomology and basic knowledge requirements for the ACE exam. The training is intended as either a kickoff for the studying process, or as 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.

Over the course of 7 zoom events Bob Davis, Robert Puckett, Sonja Swiger, Wizzie Brown, Molly Keck and Janet Hurley will cover content from the “IPM for the Urban Professional: A Study Guide for the Associate Certified Entomologist” in 2-hour slots each Thursday morning and Friday afternoons starting on October 22, 2021 and finishing on November 12, 2021. Zoom meetings will be held on Thursdays 8-10 am and Fridays 3-5 pm – Oct. 28-Nov. 12; you must be present during that time to view the content. Register here 

Second do you need your annual CEUs? Registration is now open for our 2021 Virtual Fall IPM Conference November 16, 2021: 8:15 am – 4 pm for pesticide applicator CEUs. If you need CEUs before your license expires, the Fall IPM Conference is a great place to get them. This is your invitation to join us for our annual fall pest management training – a full day of pesticide applicator CEU’s from experts at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and our community. This year we are adding termite to the end of the program per your request.

You will receive the latest updates on pesticide laws, pest biology and identification, and pest management strategies. As always, participants are eligible to receive CEU’s whether your license is from Texas Department of Agriculture or the TDA’s Texas Structural Pest Control Service. This year we will offer 5 Ag, 5 Structural, and 1 Termite CEU. You MUST enter your correct TDA License number at registration and MUST have an email address to receive instructions to access the virtual conference. To qualify for CEU’s, you must be present for the entirety of the virtual conference. The online platform will monitor your presence and CEUs will be awarded accordingly. Register here 

Next up is the fall course on Understanding Termites and Wood Destroying Insects, this will be an in-person class held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center on November 15, 2021, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Register here

technician digging termite trench in front of IPM House sign

IPM House Termite training, participate showing his skills.

This class is designed to orient new apprentices, technicians, and certified applicators to a better understanding of termite biology and control, as well as some of the most common wood destroying insects as well. As with all IPM Experience House classes, instruction is a combination of classroom and hands-on demonstrations. Dr. Robert Puckett, Assistant Professor and Urban Entomologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension College Station will be joined by Mr. Ronnie Holder of BASF Corporation, Mrs. Nefertiti Darby, of Corteva Agriscience, Ms. Marty Keane, of Nisus Corp and Ms. Janet Hurley from AgriLife Extension.

Finally, plans are underway for the 5th annual rodent academy to be held in Dallas in person.  The dates have been blocked Dec. 14 & 15, 2021 and speakers are being contacted.  Confirmed speakers are Mr. Tim Madere and Dr. Claudia Riegel, City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, along with Dr. Niamh Quinn, Ph.D. Human-Wildlife Interactions Advisor, from the University of California Cooperative Extension.  This two-day event will blend learning about the biology of rodents with hands on activities.  For those of you wondering on Dec. 16, 2021, that day will be reserved for registered sanitarians and code enforcement with a focus on rodents, cockroaches and other indicator pests that can be a sign of a rodent infestation. Once we have all the details, we will post to our conference services website as well. 

To register for ALL of our events visit our conference services website at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ the ACE course and Fall IPM Seminar will be found under the Webinars Tab, the termite class will be posted under the Home page or you can search “IPM or Integrated Pest Management” to find all the courses we have available in person or via Zoom. 

IPM House announces an 8-week ACE virtual prep course

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Start 2021 with an educational learning experience that will not only aid in being a better pest management professional, but also help you become ACE.

The Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Certification program is part of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). With over 1,000 ACEs nationwide, the Certification program of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) is the fastest growing certification program for PMPs. Founded by Dr. Mike Merchant (retired Texas A&M AgriLife Extension) and Dr. Bob Davis, BASF to promote professionalism this course will follow their outlines.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension IPM Experience House is pleased to announce an 8-week ACE Online Prep Course starting on February 26, 2021 and running through April 16, 2021 for the low price of $40.  To register for this course, visit our Conference Services website search “virtual ACE” or go the webinars tab and go to the “V” section.

One of the best ways to prepare for the ACE exam is to learn from others on what to study and review insect orders you may not be familiar with. Over the course of 8 weeks Dr. Bob Davis, Wizzie Brown, Molly Keck and Janet Hurley will cover content from the “IPM for the Urban Professional: A Study Guide for the Associate Certified Entomologist” in 2-hour slots each Friday starting on February 26, 2021 and finishing on April 16, 2021. You must be present during each session to view the content. However, participants can sign up for one class or all 7 for the same price.

No CEUs will be given; this course is designed for educational training on in-depth topics. See Agenda below for dates, topics, and speakers. We will not be meeting on April 2, 2021 in observance of holiday.

We find the biggest hurdles for PMPs wanting certification include uncertainty about how to prepare for the ACE exam and fear of test-taking.  That is where the ACE Prep Class comes in. Classes provide a review of fundamental entomology and basic knowledge requirements for the exam. The training is intended as either a kickoff for the studying process, or as a last-minute review and confidence building class.

Want to register for this class visit this website https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/productListingDetails/3327 and we look forward to seeing you.

Date
Topic
Presenter(s)
February 26, 2021
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM		 Introduction to ACE – what to expect.
What is IPM?		 Janet Hurley, ACE
March 5, 2021
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM		 Selection and implementation of control methods: The science and technology of insecticides and Pesticide Safety, Laws and Labels Dr. Bob Davis
March 12, 2021
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM		 Insect Classification, Biology and Morphology Wizzie Brown, BCE
March 19, 2021
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM		 Biting and stinging arthropods and Flies (order Diptera) Molly Keck, BCE
March 26, 2021
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM		 Wood destroying insects, Occasional invaders, and Stored product pests Dr. Bob Davis and Molly Keck
April 2, 2021 Skipping this week – study, study, study
April 9, 2021
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM		 Ants and Cockroaches Wizzie Brown
April 16, 2021
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM		 Putting it all together, what to expect on the exam, finding a proctor Hurley, Davis, Brown, and Keck

2019 ACE Prep Class in Dallas

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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.

ACE Prep class members 2018

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.

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 12-13, is a one-and-a-half day course followed by an opportunity to take the ACE exam on the afternoon of day 2.

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.

ACE Prep Classes in Dec and Jan

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ACE Prep class 2016

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.

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).

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.

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 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.  

Spring 2018 IPM House classes now open for registration

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student looking through microscope

A combination of classroom and hands on learning is what distinguishes IPM House classes.

Three new courses will be offered over the next two months at IPM Experience House. Below are descriptions and links to register for these classroom/hands-on classes.

Rodent Academy

Rodent Academy will be offered March 6-8.  A reprisal of a very successful class held last December, the Spring 2018 Texas Rodent Academy will feature guest trainer, Tim Madere with the City of New Orleans.  With sponsorship from UNIVAR USA, Texas A&M AgriLife will be offering an intensive three-day, advanced rodent control training course.  Tim is one of the leading rodentologists in the country today, and has a lot to offer.

The goal of the Texas Rodent Academy is to provide a highly focused and standardized approach to managing rodent populations through Integrated Pest Management (IPM). After completing this course, graduates will be able to manage rodent populations more effectively, because they will have a better understanding of the biology, behavior, and habitat of rodents, contributing factors to infestation, effective ways of evaluating site-specific responses and strategies, and effective communication strategies with the public to achieve lasting change and improvements.

Who Should Attend?

The course is intended for pest management professionals, municipalities, universities, public schools, and food safety personnel involved in the rodent control programs.  Class size is limited, so register soon.

Speakers:  Mr. Tim Madere, City of New Orleans Rodney Specialist, Dr. Mike Merchant, Emory Matts, Janet Hurley and other experts on rodenticides and rodent control.  A topic we are still looking into is drones and inspections, so sign up early this class will fill up fast.  Click here to learn more and for a link to registration. Cost of the three-day class is $300.

Introduction to Termite Control for New Technicians

Introduction to termite control for new technicians on March 15 is designed to orient new termite technicians to the art and science of termite control (an additional class will be offered on March 16 if there is demand).  Termite control expert, Dr. Bob Davis, will be demonstrating practical field skills for setting up and executing a soil termiticide job.  Kevin Keim, with Dow Agroscience, 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.

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 (at IPM House) demonstrating skills for performing a termite treatment. One termite CEU will be offered for those who complete the class.  $55 Early registration.  Click here to learn more and for a link to registration.

Trainers: Dr. Bob Davis, BASF; Mr. Kevin Keim, Dow AgroSciences; Dr. Mike Merchant, Texas A&M AgriLIfe Extension. Class size is limited to 21, so register early.

ACE Prep Class

Coming to north Texas by popular demand, we are offering a souped-up, two-day version of the ACE Prep Class on April 12-13.   This class is designed to help candidates prepare for the ACE exam. It provides a concise, well-rounded overview of the science of entomology and of the major pests that a PMP must know for the exam.  The class provides 10+ hours of intensive classroom and lab training in pest control topics for any interested technician. You do not have to be pre-approved as an ACE candidate to take the Prep Class; however, it does serve as an excellent review and confidence booster for candidates who have been preparing for the exam.  The exam will be offered at the end of the class to anyone who has applied for certification and paid the examination fee. Students wanting to sit for the exam are responsible for making arrangements with ESA prior to the class.  Early registration cost of the two-day course is $100.

Achieving the title of “Associate Certified Entomologist” (ACE) is one of the top professional achievements for a pest management professional. The ACE certification program is overseen by the Entomological Society of America (ESA) and is available to anyone with five years of experience in the pest control industry.  The successful applicant must also be willing to subscribe to the ACE Code of Ethics, and able to pass the certification exam.

Click here to learn more and for a link to registration.  Class size is limited to 30, so register early.  Principal trainer: Dr. Mike Merchant.

We hope to see many of you this Spring.