NCSU’s Urban Structural Entomology Program teamed up with the NC Pest Management Association for the first annual NCSU Hands On Training (“HOT”) program held at the training facility. Forty Pest Management Professionals participated in the inaugural program which was part of NCPMA’s 69th Annual Pest Control Technicians’ School (Jan. 29 – 31, 2019). The PCT School, held at the Sheraton Imperial in Durham, drew over 1000 participants, making it the largest state-level pest management level meeting in the United States. In addition to the “HOT” class, Patricia Alder, Mike Waldvogel and Samantha McPherson provided pesticide applicator certification training for 120 pest management employees preparing for the pesticide applicator exams for household and wood-destroying pests as well as structural fumigation. At the recertification segments on Tuesday-Wednesday, Drs. Coby Schal and Aram Mikaelyan covered topics on cockroaches and termites while Dr. Terri Billeisen covered management of fire ants and fall armyworms in home lawns while Dr. Mike Waldvogel gave talk on proper identification of pests and damage in ornamentals.
Patty Alder (right of center), Assistant Director of the NCSU Structural Pest Management Training Facility, held a session on calibrating manual and battery-powered backpack sprayers and then demonstrated the effect of layered mulch on pesticide distribution and efficacy.
Michael Crowe, Raleigh-based Account Executive with Univar, led the class in maintenance and repair of compressed air sprayers.
Each attendee received a tool bag and set of tools for sprayer repair.
Mike Waldvogel (NCSU) conducted a session on hydraulic sprayer maintenance and calibration.
Samantha McPherson, a graduate student in NCSU’s Urban Structural Entomology Program, received the NCPMA’s $1500 Scholarship. Samantha also taught part of the Wednesday certified applicator course.
After completing her degree program, Samantha plans to pursue a career in Extension.
Dr. Coby Schal, Blanton J. Whitmire Professor of Urban Entomology at NCSU, gave a talk to pest control technicians on cockroaches, allergens and management tactics during Tuesday’s session at the Sheraton Imperial in Durham
Entomology graduate student Maria Gonzalez gave an update on urban pest research projects at NCSU during the opening session of the PCT.