Pest ID Workshops

Pest Identification Workshops offered at the Facility

 

ONLINE COURSES

We are pleased to offer online workshops! At this time, we have three one-hour long workshops, each approved for 1 P-phase credit. We are currently working on other online opportunities, so please check back! To view and register for current workshops, click HERE.

 
ANT ID & MANAGEMENT
The Ant Identification & Management Workshop is a 3-hour workshop.  Under the instructor’s direction, participants will use ID keys and stereo microscopes to compare important morphological characteristics of ant specimens magnified on an overhead with the specimens they are examining. After practicing on several specimens, participants will test their skills with five unidentified specimens. Pest habitat, behavior, and nesting characteristics will also be discussed as useful tools in identification. While the workshop focus heavily on identification, management strategies and demonstrations are covered in some detail.
Ant ID class reviewing specimens and using keys to ID species Demonstrating treating for ants under different thicknesses of mulch
Participants review ant behavior and identification. Patty Alder (standing at left) directs the class to compare key morphological characters of the specimen seen on the screen with their specimens and to follow the identification key seen on the screen to the left.  After practicing on several specimens, the participants test their skills with five unidentified specimens. The workshop concludes with a discussion of management using liquid insecticides and baits. Shown here – Mike Waldvogel uses a backpack sprayer to demonstrate the effect of mulch thickness and application volume on the penetration of insecticides for controlling ants in landscaped areas.
This workshop is approved for 3 P-Phase CCUs in North Carolina. Register Online
Cockroach ID & Management
Display box with cockroach specimens used for identification workshop

Display box with some of the cockroach species covered in the workshop.

 The Cockroach ID & Management Workshop is a 3-hour workshop. Under the instructor’s guidance, participants will use key morphological characteristics to identify domestic and peri-domestic cockroach pest species found in North Carolina. Inspection techniques and management strategies will also be covered in some detail, including demonstrations of proper baiting techniques for controlling cockroaches.
This workshop is approved for 3 P-Phase CCUs in North Carolina. Register Online
Wood-destroying Insects ID & Management Workshop
The Wood-Destroying Insects ID & Management Workshop is a 3-hour workshop. In this workshop, participants will learn to recognize and ID wood-destroying insects, including various wood-destroying beetles, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, wood wasps, and a few others. For each pest, participants will use both morphological features and damage evidence to properly ID important wood-destroying insects. Termites are not covered in this workshop.
Female carpenter bee Opening to carpenter bee gallery in wood board
Carpenter bees are among the wood-destroying insects that will be discussed in this workshop. Damage evidence, like the carpenter bee damage shown above, will also be covered in this workshop.
This workshop is approved for 3 CCUs in North Carolina. Register Online
STORED PRODUCT PEST ID
Patty Alder explains the sequence of steps in an ID key to determine the pest species. Group listening to explanation of cleaning grain grinder to reduce pest problems
Participants review the identification, biology, and behavior of common stored product pests found in both residential and commercial settings.  Patty Alder is shown here leading the class through the identification key for beetles commonly found in stored grain and grain products. The workshop concludes with a tour of NCSU’s Feed Mill Education Unit Facility across the road from the training facility. A group is shown here listening to the mill manager explain the importance of sanitation and cleaning milling equipment to reduce future pest problems.
This workshop is approved for 3 P-Phase CCUs in North Carolina. This workshop will not be offered again until 2021.