Pest management professional

Open House November 4, 2022 to Welcome our new Entomologist

October 10, 2022 by janet.hurley

Bryant McDowell ’19 and Janet Hurley

It is with much please to announce that we have hired a new entomologist for the Dallas Center. Mr. Bryant McDowell graduated with his Master of Science in Entomology in 2019 from Texas A&M University. His thesis: Population genetics and the colony breeding structure of the invasive tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva, in Texas will allow him to help Texans with identifying ants.

McDowell’s role as the Extension Program Specialist for Urban IPM will be to support the IPM Experience House by providing training classes for pest management professionals. In addition to the IPM House, Bryant will also be supporting Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s County Agents with insect identification, master volunteer training and supporting county programs.

McDowell will also support the school IPM program by helping with the educational events that are conducted with Dr. Don Renchie at the four regional events.

We hope you can join us for this event.

Join us on Friday, November 4^th from 3:00 – 6:00 PM at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center Water and Land Resources Building for light refreshments and a chance to talk to the entomologist. Tours of the IPM Experience House will also be available. Follow this link to register for the event.

There is no charge to attend; however, we are asking that everyone register so that we can have an accurate head count for the food and beverages. Even this planner knows it’s a Friday afternoon during football season, so we do suggest wearing your favorite sports team gear as well.

To our past and present donors, our registration website has a place for you to sign up to donate to the IPM Experience House. Bryant and I are hoping to use this event, our fall IPM seminar Nov. 15^th and rodent academy to ‘pick’ your brains on what classes you would like to see us hold in 2023.

Announcing the 5th Annual Texas Rodent Academy

November 16, 2021 by janet.hurley

Two-Day Training Course in Rodent Management for Pest Management Professionals

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service IPM Experience House is offering our three-day, intensive rat control training course for pest management professionals.

Purpose

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?

This course is intended for pest management professionals, universities, public schools, and others involved in the rodent control/management programs.

Curriculum Content (In classroom learning)

The topics will 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 and how?
Alternative tools & techniques for rat control
Mouse Integrated pest management in apartment/private homes
Rodent control

Curriculum Content (hands-on outdoor learning) 2021rodentacademyagenda

Participants will be broken into small groups for each class days hands-on learning exercise

Site specific inspections — what to look for
Bait station, snap traps, exclusion

Speakers:

Dr. Niamh Quinn, Human-Wildlife Interactions Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension, South Coast Research and Extension Center

Niamh Quinn is University of California Cooperative Extension Human-Wildlife Interactions Advisor, based at the South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine. Her focus is directed on the coordination of Cooperative Extension programming regarding human-wildlife conflicts, particularly within the residential and industrial areas within Southern California where significant human-wildlife conflicts are occurring. Her research and education focus on everything from mice to mountain lions, but she mostly focuses on rodents, their management, and the pathways and effects of rodenticides on non-target wildlife.

Dr. Claudia Riegel, Director, City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite & Rodent Control Board,

She earned an undergraduate degree at Purdue University, a Master’s at the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. from the Entomology and Nematology Department at the University of Florida. As director, she provides technical support for the City of New Orleans and the pest control industry. She conducts independent research and collaborates with the pest control industry to enhance existing products and test of new products. She also collaborates with government organizations and universities on a variety of research projects involving rodents, mosquitoes, termites and a variety of other urban pests.

Mr. Tim Madere, Rodent Specialist, City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board,

Tim Madere is a Mosquito and Rodent control Specialist for the City of New Orleans Mosquito, Rodent, and Termite Control Board. Timmy has worked on research studies and urban pest issues concerning everything from termites and bedbugs to coyotes and raccoons; but his primary focus is on commensal rodents and urban rodent control. He also writes a column on urban rodent control for the National Wildlife Control Operators Associations’ quarterly newsletter. Timmy has a BA in History from the University of New Orleans and is considered one of the leading rodent control experts in the country.

Ed Dolshun, Technical Director, VP Business Development, APG (Catchmaster)

Dolshun works in product specification development and periodic review. New market development of a variety of products. Atlantic Paste & Glue is the worlds leading manufacturer of adhesives and related products for the Pest Control Industry. Ed’s specialty is developing protocols for rodent trapping.

Nina M Dacko, Vector Control Supervisor, Tarrant County Public Health

Collaborates with others at Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) department in making changes and/or major decisions in regard to the West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance program. Develops SOPs for WNV surveillance including trap setting, spray recommendations, mosquito identification and mosquito control. Trains others in mosquito identification, trap setting, scouting and mosquito control. Develops arboviral response plans. Identifies insects brought in by public. Reports data to TCPH and cooperating incorporated cities. Neutral party for hotel bed bug inspections. Bed bug consultant for public/others working in government. Educates public and others working in vector control in matters involving WNV/SLE Surveillance, mosquito biology and mosquito control. Enjoys public speaking/presenting. Developed arboviral response plan encompassing West Nile virus, St Louis Encephalitis, Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika and how these responses would differ. Developed and maintains a morphological dichtomous key for mosquitoes found in Tarrant County, Texas. Was elected onto the board of the Texas Mosquito Control Association TMCA. Added surveillance for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in the light of the possibility of Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue viral introduction utilizing BG Sentinel traps. Built and sample mosquito resting boxes to survey Culex parity at local level. Developed educational material for mosquitoes and the diseases that they carry.

Janet Hurley, ACE, Senior Extension Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Ms. Hurley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health from Texas Woman’s University and Master’s in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas. Ms. Hurley was hired by AgriLife Extension in 2001 to oversee the Texas School IPM program. Ms. Hurley coordinates school IPM coordinator training for public schools in TX and oversees the statewide effort to educate schools about their Integrated Pest Management programs. Hurley is also known for her work on the National School IPM Workgroup, which helps coordinate efforts amongst states to offer quality training and education to those interested in IPM. Hurley has also been a long-standing committee member of the International IPM Symposium and has been cochairman of the Awards Committee for the IPM Symposium. Primary focus for Extension is understanding the laws and rules that impact schools and pest control businesses. Secondary focus is on vertebrate pests (rodents, bats, wildlife) as well as most structural pests of concern.

Ms. Hurley’s background in public health and administration. Her position with AgriLife Extension has been assisting school districts with their IPM programs. Rodent management has been an ongoing focus for Hurley.

We will have a discussion around the rodent monitoring systems and how to use those and game cameras to enhance your program.

Please wear comfortable shoes and clothes appropriate for the field, you will be outside each day of the workshop.

Tuition: $200 is to cover the cost of materials and meals during the training

Class Size: To ensure quality and good instructor-to-student interaction, the Academy can only accommodate approximately 50 students this session. It’s first come first serve so sign up early.

Location: Class will begin each day at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, 17360 Coit Rd, Dallas, TX 75252 Water & Land Resource Building

Course Pre-requisites: Academy students must have a basic understanding of rodent control principles (biology and behavior, rodenticides, traps, etc.). It is suggested supervisors, managers, and owners attend the Academy and teach their employees.

Student Involvement and Expectations: The Academy is not a ‘sit back and listen’ seminar. This is a working Academy, intended for pest, city and building professionals wanting to receive in-depth training in rodent Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Academy Completion Certificate and CEU Credits

To Receive a Certificate of Academy Completion

Students will be expected to participate in class activities, hands on exercises, and classroom discussions.
All students must also pass a final exam.

Video or audio taping of any session of the Academy is prohibited, except with the express and prior permission of Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension

Continuing Education Credits

Structural Pest Control Credits will be given for those participants who request them.

Enrolling and Attending

If your company is interested in the Rodent Control Academy, complete and submit the online registration form. https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ keyword: rodent

Announcing General Household Pest In-Depth Training at the IPM House

June 1, 2021 by janet.hurley

Class participants will have a chance to try new application methods to help aid in learning new skills.

Did you know that over the past five years the pest control industry has seen 20% annual growth?

The $14 billion U.S. pest control industry needs well-trained, new technicians

Professional development and growth in competence are key factors to employee retention, according to PCT magazine.

The global pest control market size was valued at $20.6 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $30.0 billion by 2027 growing at a CAGR of 5.2% in the forecast period, according to market research.

IPM Experience House Course invites you to attend this one day general household pest training.

When: Tuesday, June 29, 2021, From 8:30AM to 4:30 PM

Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Service, Water/Land Resource Building

Stored Product pests are hard to spot this is one way to monitor for them.

A great introduction to entomology, integrated pest management and pesticides, this class is ideally suited for relatively new employees, IPM coordinators, registered sanitarians, and code enforcement officers who need to better understand modern pest control. The class will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Center on Tuesday, June 29th.

This one-day course will be an introduction to entomology, integrated pest management and pesticides, this class is ideally suited for apprentices, technicians, certified applicators, registered sanitarians. This course will cover an in-depth look at some of the more common insects that are found in kitchens, pantries, and homes. Hands-on activities include use of various sprayers and dusters, bait applications and situational problem solving. In addition, we will use microscopes to look at different life stages and species of stored product pests, flies, cockroaches, bed bugs and more. There will be special combined session on insecticide classes – the session will part lecture and part hands on understanding on how to read a label and SDS documents to know what type of product you are using.

Instructors: Dr. Santos Portugal, Travis Gates, Dr. Christopher Bibbs, Janet Hurley

Classes at IPM House are a combination of hands-on demonstrations and classroom instruction. (CEUs: 6 hours verified training in Pest Category and 4 CEUs for Certified Applicators {2 Pest, 1 L&R, 1 IPM).

Registered Sanitarians and Code Enforcement will receive 6 hours of classroom training.

Early registration (up to June 18) is $75. Late registration is $90. No refunds after the June 28 final registration deadline.

Lunch and snacks will be provided, plus educational materials.

To register, and for more information, go to https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/productListingDetails/3418

To see what will be covered open this PDF file 2021GHP Agenda

New in-person IPM Experience House Class: Understanding Termites and Wood Destroying Insects

April 23, 2021 by janet.hurley

Now is the time to train new staff on how to manage situations like this.

May 25, 2021 at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Dallas, TX

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 Dr. Janis Reed, BCE, Technical Services Manager with Control Solutions, Inc. (CSI), Mr. Ronnie Holder of BASF Corporation, Mr. Kevin Keim, of Corteva Agriscience, along with Dr. Brittny Jones and Ms. Janet Hurley from AgriLife Extension.

It is expected that course participants have read the Control of Termites and Other Wood Pests study manual and have a basic knowledge of this topic. This course will cover a more in depth look at this species as structural pests and educate the participant about how to better identify, diagnose, and recommend practical and economical treatments. Participants will also learn about how to complete a WDI report, types of treatments available and when/where to use, plus time looking at these structural pests under a microscope.

This is a great opportunity to train new or old employees in the field of wood destroying insect control. Half of this class will be held in the classroom, and half will be in the field, conducting WDI inspection, reviewing types of treatment methods, and microscope work. Students must wear long pants and closed toe shoes to participate in all the exercises.

Cost for the course is $75, includes lunch, snacks, and water. Registration must be completed online at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/productListingDetails/3388

Questions about the class or about registration can be directed to Mary Mays (972-952-9258) or email (mary.mays-delamater@ag.tamu.edu).

Don’t delay! Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions we are having to limit this class to the first 10 people to sign up. However, don’t fret too much if we have adequate demand, we will compile a waiting list to make sure if someone drops out another person can fill their place.

Here is the tentative Agenda (we are working out the hands-on sections) but this should give you an idea of how the day will go.

8:30 – 9:30	Review of termites Biology of termites as social insects; most common termites in TX Speaker: Robert Puckett	Water Education Bldg.
9:45 – 10:45	Review of wood destroying insects Biology of Beetles, Borers, Carpenter ants and bees Speaker: Janis Reed	Water Education Bldg.
11: 00 – noon	Lab exercise: Identifying termites and beetles to family Using microscopes each class participant will view a variety of WDI pests at various stages in life cycle Speakers: Puckett, Reed, Hurley, Jones	Water Education Bldg.
12:45 – 1:45	Control Options for termites and WDI pests Types of treatments and products used – soil applied, repellent vs. non-repellent products, baiting options Speakers: Ronnie Holder and Kevin Keim	Water Education Bldg.
2:00 – 2:30	WDI Inspections What to look for, what to report and how to report Speakers: Reed and Puckett	IPM House
3:00 – 4:15	Hands on Demonstrations Making a diagram of the structure [Reed, Hurley] Calculating termiticide/bait station requirements [Keim, Jones] Application of soil- and void-applied termiticides [Holder, Puckett]	IPM House

IPM House announces an 8-week ACE virtual prep course

January 26, 2021 by janet.hurley

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

Finishing 2019 Strong at IPM House

October 14, 2019 by mike.merchant

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.