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AgriLife Extension 2022 Rodent Academy Dec. 13-15 in Dallas

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The 2022 Texas Rodent Academy, conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is scheduled Dec. 13-15 in Dallas.

The three-day course is designed for integrated pest management, IPM, professionals and those who handle pest management in their work for municipalities, universities, public schools and food-safety personnel.

The cost is $300, and the academy is limited to the first 50 participants to register at

https://tx.ag/2022RodentAcademy. Tuition covers course materials and meals.

On Dec. 13-14, the course will be from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. On Dec. 15, it will be from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Each day’s instruction will start at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at 17360 Coit Road in the center’s Water and Land Resource Building.

“The goal of the Texas Rodent Academy is to provide a highly focused and standardized approach to managing rodent populations through integrated pest management,” said Janet Hurley, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management specialist, Dallas.

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, she said. They will also have a better understanding of the 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.

There will be a certificate of academy completion available for students who pass a final exam. Students will be expected to participate in class activities, hands-on exercises and classroom discussions. There are also three Texas Department of Agriculture structural pest control credits available.

Curriculum content

Participants will be broken into small groups each class day for learning exercises, which will have in-depth sessions on hands-on activities for all participants.

“I’m really looking forward to this year’s academy as we will have more hands-on demonstrations than in years past,” Hurley said. “Unique Pest Management out of Virginia will be joining us with their working dogs to demonstrate how you can use dogs to help with large rodent populations.”

Hurly said attendees will get to show off their exclusion skills during the afternoon sessions. 

Participants should wear comfortable shoes and dress for being outdoors.The hands-on, outdoor learning topics will include:

  • Site-specific inspections — what to look for.
  • Bait station, snap traps, exclusion.
  • Remote sensing, snap trap races, the exclusionfor small and large areas.
  • Using dogs for management and control.

The classroom learning topics will be:

  • Health significance of rodents.
  • Biology and behavior of rodents.
  • Overview of integrated pest management.
  • Exterior bait boxes – what, where and how?
  • Alternative tools and techniques for rat control.

Rodent Academy speakers

In addition to Hurley, event speakers include Claudia Riegel, Ph.D., director; and Tim Madere, rodent specialist, both with the City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite, Rodent Control Board.

Other program contributors include Ed Dolshun, technical director, Catchmaster, Warwick, New York; Emory Matts, regional sales supervisor, Rentokil North America, Rowlett; Dave and Jim Schuelke, owners, Twin Home Experts, Van Nuys, California; Mark Vick, assistant director of programs, and canine JJ, Working Dogs for Conservation, Chesapeake, Virginia; and Scott and Angie Mullaney, director of animal services, Unique Pest Management, Richmond, Virginia.

“Two of our guest speakers, known as the Twin Home Experts on YouTube, will discuss how they went from plumbers to rat hunters,” Hurley said. “They will also share how you can up your social media profile so you can reach more customers on a variety of platforms.”

Hurley said Madere, Matts and Dolshun will do a roundtable discussion about the best ways to use snap traps for those sensitive accounts.

Contact Hurley for additional information or with questions at jahurley@ag.tamu.edu or 972-952-9213.

Rodent Academy

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Come spend two days learning from the experts about house mice, Norway rats, and roof rats.  In addition, to biology and common control methods, we will also be learning about new management techniques using electronic monitoring systems, diseases associated with rats, how the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) impacts your business, how to clean up when you have a heavy infestation and so much more including the hands-on portions of the class.

Class participants will receive an information manual, continental breakfast and lunch, and learn from a series of speakers.

Announcing the 5th Annual Texas Rodent Academy

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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

 

2020 is the Year of the Rat and Rodent Academy is going Virtual

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The Texas 2020 Rodent Academy is going virtual!

Register early to join us for this unique urban rodent management virtual workshop. Come spend two-days with experts from around the country discussing better ways to understand rodent ecology and integrated pest management (IPM). Learn about rodent disease, monitoring, trapping, urban rodent surveys and much more.

This event will be December 1 & 2, 2020 via Zoom and will be from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM with time for you to chat with our speakers.

Cost is $75 per person and we ask that you register by Nov. 30th at 3:00 PM to give us time to send you the video link for the meeting.

Who Should Attend?

This course is intended for pest management professionals, municipalities, universities, public schools, and food safety personnel involved in the rodent control programs.

Curriculum Content

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, how?
  • Alternative tools & techniques for rat control
  • Rodent Sensing Systems – which one is right for your business

 Class Size:  since we are going to be virtual, we will allow for a larger class than our in-person events. However, it will still be limited to 75 people to keep the group somewhat small so we can chat at the end of each day.

Academy Completion Certificate and CEU Credits

To Receive a Certificate of Academy Completion

  • Students will be expected to participate in class activities via chat or online polling.
  • Both sessions must be attended and completed by the same student from each company.
  • All students must also pass a final exam, which will be given via an online survey software.

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

Meet some of our speakers:

Dr. Claudia Riegel, Director, New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board. She is currently leading a city-wide program of rodent baiting not only considering the increased pressure from the coronavirus pandemic, but out of concern that the higher pressure could spread disease among the homeless population.

Dr. Niamh Quinn, Human-Wildlife Interactions Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension Area Vertebrate Pest Advisor, based at the UC ANR South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine.CA. She facilitates interactions and information exchange among campus-based academics, CE advisors and community stakeholders. 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, with concentration in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties.

Timmy Madere, Pest Control Specialist, New Orleans Mosquito, Rodent and Termite Control Board. Madere has worked on research studies and urban pest issues concerning everything from termites and bed bugs to coyotes and raccoons, but his primary focus is on commensal rodents and urban rodent control.

Sylvia Kenmuir, BCE Sylvia is an Industrial Entomologist and chair of the West Coast Rodent Academy. She is currently the Western US Technical Specialist with BASF where she is responsible for product support.

Dr. Michael H. Parsons is a Visiting Research Scholar in the Department of Biological Sciences at Fordham University in the Bronx, NY. His work focuses on creating novel biological field assays to explore how scents influence risk assessment, disposition and decision making in small mammals. As a multi-disciplinary researcher, his assays with wild, city rats have been adapted into neuroethological assays and have been utilized for urban pathogen surveillance.

There will also be a discussion about the banning of rodenticides in California, how they got there and what steps everyone should learn from this.

Have you heard about rodent remote sensing?  Are you unsure what it is or how to use? Then Wednesday afternoon will be the day to learn more about this new technology.

Both days will end will a roundtable discussion that will allow participants to ask questions and share ideas with others.

Here is the Rodent academy agenda I will have more detailed information closer to the event.  In the meantime, get registered now.  If you need SPCS CEUs or a certificate of training you must register Online Here  I will notify each participant with the Zoom invite for the meeting.  Once you receive the invite from Zoom, you will have to register again to get the room code.  Please do not share the link.

I look forward to “seeing” you on December 1 and 2, 2020 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

 

Rodent Academy sign up

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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.

 

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.

Sign up for Texas Rodent Academy

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Norway rats active during daylight hours in a NYC park. Photo by Bobby Corrigan

The IPM Experience House will be offering a Rodent Academy course for the first time this fall.  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 5-7. 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.

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 already 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

Critter cams offer new insights into rodent behavior. Video still shot by J. Hurley

The course will include both in-class and field training components.  Classroom
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, 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.

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 for designing a real-world control exercise for a few different rodent infestations.
  • Pass a final exam

Other

Structural Pest Control CEU credits will be available in IPM and Pest for participants who need them. Please, limit your registration to two employees per company. To ensure quality and good instructor-to-student interaction, the Academy can only accommodate approximately 35 students per session. Please wear comfortable shoes, and clothes appropriate for the field.

Registration

If your company is interested in the Rodent Control Academy, please complete and submit the online registration form:  https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/productListingDetails/2392

 

If you are unable to register because the class has reached it’s maximum enrollment, and you wish to be added to a waiting list, send an email to class organizer, Janet Hurley at (jahurley@ag.tamu.edu).  You will be given first notice about subsequent Rodent Academy classes.  To join our IPM Experience House mailing list and receive alerts for future Rodent Academies and other IPM Experience House-sponsored training classes, click here.