February 7, 2017
Lincoln, Neb. — Managing invasive pests such as termites and rodents is the focus of the 25th Nebraska Urban Pest Management conference Feb. 21-22 in Lincoln.
The annual event brings together research-based information from around the nation, with industry showing the latest in technology and products to about 150 participants. Such offerings keep Nebraska pesticide professionals current in pest management and in business practices.
“Our operators have many needs in following the rules and regulations of being applicators,” said Andy Licht of the Nebraska State Pest Control Association, a cosponsor. “Pesticide applicator businesses need sales, marketing, training and legal advice. This conference provides the science, the safety education -- everything they need.”
Opening the conference Feb. 21 are Bobby Corrigan, urban rodentologist for greater New York City; Paul Bello, bedbug expert of PJB Pest Management Consulting in Georgia; Justin Schmidt, sting expert from the University of Arizona; and Sylvia Kenmuir, Target Specialty Products of California, discussing Integrated Pest Management to minimize risks to people and the environment.
The remainder of the conference features about two dozen sessions and panel discussions from university and private sector experts. Topics cover bedbugs, birds, bats, ants and other pests, in addition to termites and rodents. Ultimate conference beneficiaries, Licht added, are customers of conference participants -- homeowners, schools, and businesses involved in food service, food processing, health care, lodging, warehouses and sanitation.
A self-tutorial, hands-on laboratory of termites and other insects is available daily through Nebraska Extension, conference coordinator and cosponsor.
Registration is $150 per person until Feb. 10. After Feb. 10 the registration fee is $170.
Held in cooperation with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the UPM conference is said to be one of the best in the nation. It builds on the 24 years it was coordinated by Shripat Kamble, Nebraska Extension entomologist. Last year Kamble announced he was stepping aside as conference coordinator to do other work.
The UPM conference meets state recertification requirements for commercial and noncommercial applicators in the categories of Structural/Health and Wood-Destroying Organisms.
The event will be at the Cornhusker-Marriott Hotel. For conference details and registration, see http://www.nspca.org/.
Andy Licht
Nebraska State Pest Control Association
402-476-1528
alicht@nspca.org