Vendor Tom Brandon shows his products to attendees during a break between sessions.
Dr. Roger Gold demonstrating different slab and wall types during the Termite Biology and Control session.
Dr Roger Gold congratulates Danny McDonald, center, and Chris Keefer, right, on receiving the John and Marilyn Ivey Scholarships.
Janis Reed, right, received the Target Specialty Products Scholarship from Dean Osborn.
Janet Hurley receiving the 2011 Southern Region Friends of IPM Educator Award from Steve Toth.
Danny McDonald gives a tour of his lab at the Center for Urban and Structural Entomology
Texas Pest Control Professionals Learn Latest Techniques at Annual Conference
More than 400 pest control professionals from across the state converged upon the Brazos Center to learn about pest control regulations, techniques and tools of the trade at the 65th annual Urban Pest Management Conference and Workshop.
Sponsored by Texas A&M Department of Entomology, Texas AgriLife Research, and the Texas Pest Control Association (TPCA), the 2 ½ day long workshop featured various classes, lectures, and hands-on demonstrations concerning new developments in pest control and pest management. The conference began with a welcome from Professor and Endowed Chair in Urban and Structural Entomology Dr. Roger Gold. Gold then introduced Professor and Department Head Dr. David Ragsdale to the audience. Ragsdale commended Gold on his urban program and how it coincides with the Department’s goal of continuing leadership in entomology both nationally and globally.
Texas Pest Control Association Executive Director Don Ward and Brian Binford of the local branch said a few words about TCPA. Afterwards, Gold led the Report to the Friends of the Chair. The report highlights the research, teaching, Extension and donation activities the Urban Center has done over the past year.
The highlight of the morning session was Dr. Gold announcing the scholarship recipients for this year, including the Target Specialty Products Scholarship and the Ivey Scholarships. Janis Reed received the Target Specialty Scholarship while Danny McDonald and Chris Keefer were awarded the Ivey Scholarships.
David Saunders, technical specialist from Terminix International, gave the Ivey Memorial Lecture. Saunders provided an update on various topics, including identification, biology and common entry points of rats and mice. Saunders also spoke about interesting and useful tactics on controlling rodents and the latest changes by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for rodent risk management decision regulations.
During each of the breaks, attendees viewed booths from various industry sponsors in the exhibition hall. Sponsors also gave brief updates on their products as well as fielding questions during the Exhibitor’s Forum held in the afternoon. The day ended at the Texas A&M campus with a tour of the facilities at the Center for Urban and Structural Entomology.
A new feature this year included holding the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) training course and exam during the first two days of the conference. Sponsored by the Entomological Society of America, the certification program is an enhancement to the pest management professionals’ credentials and marketability in the ever-growing pest control industry.
The second day’s main sessions focused on general IPM, led by Professor and Extension Urban Entomologist Dr. Mike Merchant. In addition, Larry Rider provided an overview of alternatives to boom sprayers for pesticide applicators. Houston ISD School IPM Program Manager Lawrence Carley spoke about the bidding and contract process for pest control service in schools. The highlight of the day was when Extension Program Specialist - School IPM Janet Hurley received the 2011 Southern Region Friends of IPM Educator Award from Southern Region IPM Center Associate Director – Regulatory Affairs Steve Toth.
Other activities during Thursday’s session included research vignettes presented by the Urban Center staff and graduate students. Other speakers included Wizzie Brown, Larry Riggs, Molly Keck and Jerel Brown.
Sean Brantely and Larry Riggs also presented updates about commodity and structural fumigation. Other updates were provided on crazy ants and fire ants.. The conference also provided opportunities to hone pest identification skills and share tips and trick from other pest management professionals, as well as from the Urban Entomology graduate students.
During the final day, a select group of attendees attended in depth sessions on pest control practices at one of three four-hour short courses. The mini-courses were designed to give the audience a hands-on demonstration on techniques in fumigation, termite biology and control, or pest control in commercial food service settings.