IPM saves the world

I've talked a little bit before about podcasts that intersect with entomology. Last night I came across a great one from Story Collider. They offer podcasts of people telling stories live in front of an audience about how science has impacted their lives. There are many great ones that I have listened to over the past year, but one that stands out is this one by Harvard entomologist Richard Pollack who relates the story of a huge fly problem near the Jordan and Israeli border. I won't spoil the story, but suffice it to say the application of IPM principles rather than a "chemical solution-first" mindset really saved the day.

Another win for IPM.

Check out the story ... http://storycollider.org/podcast/2013-09-08.

ACEs and BCEs from November 2013

There are 744 ACEs and 430 BCEs as of a few days ago. The list of our newest certified individuals is below:

New ACEs:
Mrs. Kathy Burnard, ACE, (Compass Pest Management), Riverside, CA  USA.  Certified on 11/19/2013.
Mr. John Burnard, ACE, (Compass Pest Management), Riverside, CA  USA.  Certified on 11/19/2013.
Mr. Timothy Arthur Palmatier, ACE, (Pest RX), Riverside, CA  USA.  Certified on 11/19/2013.
Mrs. Dawna Lee Galvin, ACE, (Western Exterminator Company), El Monte, CA  USA.  Certified on 11/21/2013.
Mr. Chris Kalsbeek, ACE, (Advanced IPM), Roseville, CA  USA.  Certified on 11/22/2013.
Mr. Joey Hoke, ACE, (American Pest Management), Manhattan, KS  USA.  Certified on 11/25/2013.
Mr. John Morin, ACE, (Ribbit Pest Control), El Cajon, CA  USA.  Certified on 12/3/2013.
Mr. Aaron C. Eubank, ACE, (Titan Pest Control), Anthem, AZ  USA.  Certified on 12/5/2013.
Mr. Robert Anthony Durham, ACE, (Clients 1st Termite and Pest Control), Oceanside, CA  USA.  Certified on 12/5/2013.
Mr. Robert F. McGee, ACE, (A1/Able Pest Doctors), Dayton, OH  USA.  Certified on 12/6/2013.
Mr. Joseph Randy Martin, ACE, (Hometec Exterminating), Alpharetta, GA  USA.  Certified on 12/6/2013.
Mr. Jeremy H. Miller, ACE, (Advanced Services for Pest Control), Augusta, GA  USA.  Certified on 12/6/2013.
Mr. Samuel Soto, ACE, (First Rate Solutions Inc.), New Windsor, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Lloyd Garten, ACE, (Select Exterminating), Franklin Square, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Isaac M. Gibson, ACE, (Assured Environments), New York, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Eric John Rowan, ACE, (Banzai De Bug Pest Management), New York, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. George T. Ladd III, ACE, (Banzai De Bug Pest Management), Syosset, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. William Clark, Jr, ACE, (Thomas Pest Services), Albany, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Christopher M. Sackett, ACE, (Orkin Pest Control), Henrietta, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Paul M. Trisket, ACE, (Southern Tier Pest Control), Binghamton, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Mark Gilbert Moser, ACE, (Orkin Pest Control), Amherst, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Brian Mongillo, ACE, (Parkway Pest Services), New Hyde Park, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Joseph Ferrandino, ACE, (TNR Exterminators, Inc.), Brooklyn, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Donald R Bergquist, ACE, (Select Exterminating Company), Franklin Square, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Patsy L. Sposato, ACE, (Parkway Exterminating Co. Inc.), New Hyde Park, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Edward J. Sheehan, ACE, (Colony Pest Control), Rockaway Point, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Garry G. Milsom, ACE, (Delsea Termite and Pest Control), Kenvil, NJ  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Vincent A. Masi, Jr., ACE, (Orkin Pest Control), New Hyde Park, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Joel Nolasco, ACE, (Nuborn Pest Control LLC), Mamaroneck, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Gary C Blossick, ACE, (Nardy Pest Control, Inc.), Southampton, NY  USA.  Certified on 12/7/2013.
Mr. Andrew Witcher, ACE, (ScorpionTech Termite & Pest Control, Inc.), Mesa, AZ  USA.  Certified on 12/10/2013.
Mr. Michael H. Rogers, ACE, (America Pest Management), Fulton, MD  USA.  Certified on 12/10/2013.

New BCE:
Dr. Freder Medina, BCE, (BASF Corporation), Phoenix, AZ  USA.  Certified on 12/6/2013.

ACE changes - Action needed

An open letter to all ACEs,

This note was emailed to all ACEs on December 12, 2013. If you did not get it, please contact ESA and update your email address.

As you have likely heard, there is a lot changing about the ACE-Pest Control program. As a current ACE, you may have been wondering how this affects you. This letter (and this blog post) should answer some of those questions.

Volunteer opportunity: As we prepare to launch the new ACE exam on January 1st, we need 50-100 current ACEs to voluntarily (and at no fee) take the new ACE exam in the next two weeks. This will allow us to test for proper exam question flow, perform final “level of difficulty” assessments, and look for any other last minute and minor problems.  If you are willing to take the new exam, please contact ESA’s Certification Director (Chris Stelzig) at cstelzig@entsoc.org. Update 1/9/2014: This volunteer opportunity ended on December 31, 2013. If you would like to volunteer for other ACE-ESA ventures, please contact cstelzig@entsoc.org.

There are basically two changes that affect you – a new content outline and a new renewal structure.

New Content Outline:
The new content outline for ACE will debut on January 1, 2014. A copy of the new outline is onlinehere. As an ACE it is your obligation to stay current on industry developments. As such, you will need to read and review the new content outline. You will not be required to retest on the new standards, but you will be asked to affirm that you have read and understand them. This will be true of anyone who passes their ACE exam any time prior to January 1, 2014. Once you have read the new content outline, please either:

• Email this note back to ace@entocert.org with your name filled in below.
  I (__________________) do hereby affirm that I have read and understand the new ACE Content Outline that will debut on 1/1/2014.) , or
• Print this email and send it back to us at ESA; 3 Park Place, #307; Annapolis, MD 21401

New Renewal Structure:
If you have not renewed already for 2014 a renewal form was mailed earlier this week to you (It is the same form you can find online here). You will see that you have two options when you renew 1- year or 3-years:

1. You can renew for just 2014 by submitting:
     a. A photocopy of your applicator’s license,
     b. Signing the ACE Code of Ethics, and
     c. Submitting the form with payment.
2. You can renew for 2014-2016 by submitting:
     a. Documentation of at least 18 CEUs earned during 2011-2013),
     b. A photocopy of your applicator’s license,
     c. Signing the ACE Code of Ethics, and
     d. Submitting the form with payment.

Further, you will need to choose to renew as a member or a non-ESA member. Please know that ESA membership is different from ACE certification.

If you have any questions about this process, please email us back at ace@entocert.org. We’ll start mailing ACE wallet cards in early January for those who are renewed. 

How do the ACE changes affect current ACEs?

We've been talking for a bit about the changes coming to the ACE program. And we've talked a little bit about how these changes affect current ACE applicants.

This post discusses how the coming changes affect current ACEs.

As a short recap, these are the primary and recent improvements to ACE:

1) New content outline
2) 3-year renewal structure
3) 3-year application
4) CEUs required with renewal
5) Retired ACE option for those who have been an ACE for at least 7 years

Knowledge:
All ACEs should familiarize themselves with the new content outline. In truth it is not dramatically different from the old content, it is just presented in a different and more logical structure. The content will quite likely evolve over time even further, so ACEs must stay aware and conscious of the changes that occur. This is why the addition of CEUs to renewal is so important. It will require ACEs to continue to further their education.

Being an ACE is more than just passing a test. It is an affirmation that you are a professional associate certified entomologist who is dedicated to furthering their knowledge of urban entomology.

You will not need to retest on the new content, but we do insist that you review it (**see the new content outline here **) and understand it. Part of being an ACE is staying current. At some point in the near future you may be asked to sign a notice that you have read and understand the new content outline.

Renewing:
Starting on January 1, 2015 all ACEs will be required to renew with documentation of continuing education (or CEUs). This will not be very different from what you have to turn in to recertify with your state regulators. In fact, ESA gives credit for many activities that further your knowledge most states do not acknowledge (e.g., we grant up to 2 hours per year for reading industry-related publications like PCT, Pest Management Professional, or International Pest Control). ACEs will need to submit an average of 6 CEUs per year for a 3-year period. Those who have good records from 2011-2013 can renew now for the 3-year period. Just use this form.

If you don't have good documentation from the past couple of years, then (a) start saving it for future years, and (b) renew just for 2014. Use the same form as the 3-year option.

Bear in mind that this is a requirement going forward. All ACEs will renew for 3 year period starting on January 1st, 2015. 2014 is a phase-in year.

You do not need to submit back-up documentation with your CEUs at this time. We'll randomly select a percentage of the renewals for audit and you might need back-up at that time, but not initially.

Students -- Getting Certified

I came across a good post by James Mignano recently on 5 Reasons College Students Should Be in Professional Organizations. In the article, these five reasons are given as good reasons for joining organizations like ESA:

1. Test the Water (make sure your major is a good fit)
2. Add to Your Education (via association-sponsored events like roundtable discussions)
3. Experience the City (association-sponsored events can take you to new venues)
4. Build a Portfolio (by making presentations, committee service, and more)
5. Network (meet people that can help you shape your career)

Mignano's post got me thinking about reasons that a young person should choose to become certified -- particularly a young entomologist.

So these are my top 5 reasons that college students and young professionals should become a BCE Intern.

1. Stand out
Student membership in ESA is at an all-time high. There are nearly as many student members as there are full members. As you look through the membership roster, you can view all of those other student names as competition. These are the people that you are going up against for entry to PhD programs, post-doc slots, career jobs, etc.  One great way to differentiate yourself from the competition is by becoming a BCE Intern.

BCE Interns have shown an early and strong commitment to their profession by choosing to become certified. Think about it from the perspective of the person making the hiring decision. If you are the recruiter and have two qualified candidates (both with strong GPAs, good communication skills, strong research ability) but one of them has shown the personal drive to become certified and the other has not, which one would YOU hire to get the open slot?

2. Get smarter
BCEs and BCE Interns both take at least two exams. In some places (like the University of Nebraska) the exams can double for taking and passing the entomology graduate exam. All BCEs must pass a General Qualifying exam and at least one specialty exam that focuses on their area of expertise. The exams are tough, but fair. Studying for them is a great way to keep those brain cells firing. Many have found that taking the exams while still in a "studying mindset" makes good sense.

3. Save money
If you feel that certification is eventually in your future, then it only makes sense to do it while a student. The fees are lower by far. Under current rates, the BCE Intern application is $20 for ESA members. If you wait until you are applying for BCE-full, the fee goes up to $180.

As a special bonus for you Nebraska students, Dr Shripat Kamble has offered to pay the application fee for the first 10 applicants to BCE Intern from UNL.

4. Build your credentials
The family of certification is a small (but growing) group of professionals who tirelessly work to improve not just the certification program, but by extension, the profession itself. The stronger the BCE is, the stronger entomology is. There are many ways to build your skills set when you become a BCE. There are leadership opportunities, committee service positions, be a proctor for someone else's exam, and more.

5. Expand your network
People recognize the importance of a BCE -- especially those that have gone through the process themselves. Becoming a BCE Intern is a great way to network with some of the best and brightest professional entomologists in the world.

You convinced me!  Now what do I do?
The BCE Intern application process is simple. You need to fill out the form, get two letters of professional reference, provide a copy of your transcripts, sign the BCE Code of Ethics, and pay the application fee (unless you're one of the UNL students sponsored by Dr Kamble).  Take the sample BCE Qualifying Exam to see what you are in for (the login and password are both BCEQ).

Guest post - Dale Bauerkemper, ACE

October 18, 2013

Mr. Chris Stelzig
Director of Certification
Entomological Society of America
3 Park Place, Suite 307
Annapolis, MD 21401

Dear Chris,

I am writing you to express my sincere appreciation regarding the development of the Associate Certified Entomologist program.

A few years have now passed this valuable program was first launched. As the old adage goes “Better late than never” is so true in this case as I have been meaning to write to you for some time now to express my sincerest gratitude for bringing this program to fruition for our industry.

First of all I believe this certification means a lot to the individuals who have learned Entomology on the go during their tenure in the pest management industry not unlike me. It gives pest management professionals a true and meaningful opportunity to accredit their knowledge that may go otherwise unnoticed to their clients and colleagues. Bravo to you and the E.S.A. for the foresight to recognize the need.

In closing, I want you to know that Wil-Kil Pest Control and Holder’s Pest Solutions have gained great recognition from the clients we serve regarding the number of ACE’s we have on staff. It certainly has raised awareness of the ability of our team members. It also has served to garner greater confidence from our clientele that they have truly partnered with professionals that care about them and their business.

Sincerely

Dale L Bauerkemper

Dale L. Bauerkemper, ACE

Vice President
Holders Pest Solutions