Upcoming classes in Dallas and Austin

Just a quick post to let readers know about a couple of pest control classes coming up soon, one in Dallas and one in Austin.

Dr. Bob Davis, BASF, has been teaching ACE Prep Classes
for more than ten years. I guarantee this will be one of the
best training classes you will attend this year.

On September 25 we still have room in our first Bed Bug Academy at the IPM Experience House in Dallas.  The class will cover basic bed bug biology and state of the art information on monitoring and control. The class will be taught by Mr. Alan Brown of ABC Home and Commercial Services in Austin, and myself.  It's an all day class (8:15 am to 5 pm) with CEUs and verifiable training hours for apprentices. Cost is only $60 preregistration. Class size is limited, so don't procrastinate. Registration, agenda, map and more information can be found at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/productListingDetails/2913

For anyone who has considered becoming an Associate Certified Entomologist, ABC Home and Commercial Services in Austin is hosting an ACE Prep Class on October 1.  I've talked about this class in the past on Insects in the City blog, but if you are unfamiliar, this is a chance to either inspire your study or to do some last minute cramming before the test.  Even if you're not sure whether you want to be an ACE, the class provides an excellent overview of the technical side of being a pest management professional.  Led by Randy McCarty, myself and Dr. Bob Davis, this will be an intense but fun class. Best of all, there is no charge!  To get in there is no fancy registration, simply contact Randy McCarty and let him know you would like to attend (rmccarty@goanteater.com, 512-534-5772). The class will run from 8 am to 4 pm and will be held at ABC Home and Commercial Services office, 9475 East Highway 290, Austin, TX 78724.  Parking on the left side of building.

Remember you can never stop learning. The day you stop learning you might as well hang it up.

ACE Prep Class offered next week

Students taking their exams after the 2012
ACE Prep class at Texas A&M. 

I often get asked how best to study for the ACE exam, and if a class is ever offered. One of the places to get ACE training each year is the Texas A&M University Urban Pest Management Conference. If you're not familiar, this is the biggest CEU opportunity offered by the A&M entomology department, and (we think) one of the best training opportunities for PMPs in the state.

As of this morning enough students have signed up for this class to make it a go, and there is room for more.  If you are interested in participating, just go to the A&M Conference website and sign up.  You will be registering for the whole conference that runs from January 10-12.

ACE training runs all day on Wednesday, Jan 10, beginning at 10:15 am.  We will cover as much of the ACE exam material as we can in one day.  On Wednesday, we will offer an opportunity to take the ACE exam for anyone who is ready to take it.

Not enough notice?  I plan to offer the prep class as an IPM Experience House event at our Texas A&M AgriLife Center in Dallas twice in 2018 (dates to be determined). If you are interested, drop me an email--or even better, join our mailing list at the IPM Experience House website. This will get you notified of all IPM House activities coming up in 2018 if you join the list.