Thursday, September 10, 2015

Back Breaker or ACE Maker?

Ever since the ACE program began back in 2004, the stack of recommended study books has been a weighty pile – over 25 pounds of facts, insect knowledge, and general pest control knowledge. Don’t get me wrong … they’re all valuable books for a well-educated PMP to have on his or her shelf. But the page count was well over 3,000 pages in total. Regardless of how many great insect images they include, that’s a TON of reading for anyone – especially a PMP with a hectic daily schedule.

As ACE evolved to become the industry standard for professional achievement in pest management, it became apparent that a more efficient solution was needed for the growing number of individuals working to attain an ACE certification. Few if any of these professionals could possibly read all of the study materials in a comprehensive way. As one applicant told me at Purdue a couple of years ago, “Holy smokes! Just getting through Mallis would take me a year. My ACE application would be expired by the time I get through all these books.”

It was time for something new.

Two years in the making, we are pleased to announce that the new study guide for the ACE exam is on sale now. It was sent to the printer late last week and the first copies should arrive in our offices by early October, just in time for PestWorld. Published by the Entomological Society of America, this 208-page soft cover book is the first professional title written specifically for the ACE applicant and, when coupled with the NPMA Field Guide and diligent studying, should prove to be an excellent way to prepare for the ACE exam. It is also an excellent reference book for introducing anyone to the concepts of IPM in general.

Contents:
The book is written by Dr. Mike Merchant, BCE (TAMU), and Richard Levine, ESA’s Communications Manager and a member of the National Association of Science Writers. This tag-team approach ensures that the book’s science and information is spot-on, but also that its tone remains easily-digestible by an audience of PMPs who may not have the same level of scientific training as a degreed entomologist.

The end result is a science book that reads more like a very, very in-depth article in a pest control magazine. As industry expert Dr. Austin Frishman (BCE-Emeritus) wrote in his Foreword to the book, “This is really good! Whether one is eligible for the ACE program or not, a thorough review of this guide will serve everyone who works in urban pest management. This is a must-read for anyone in this industry, whether they are going for their ACE or not … it really condenses down what we as pest management professionals should know.” (read his full foreword here).

The full Introduction to the book is included in the text box to the right. The Table of Contents for the rest of the book is:

  • Chapter 1: The Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Program
  • Chapter 2: What Is IPM?
  • Chapter 3: Inspection Is the Backbone of IPM
  • Chapter 4: Monitoring and Action Thresholds
  • Chapter 5: Selecting Control Methods
  • Chapter 6: Insecticides
  • Chapter 7: Pesticide Safety
  • Chapter 8: Insect Classification
  • Chapter 9: Insect Morphology, Biology, and Behavior
  • Chapter 10: Major Structural Pest Groups
    • Ants
    • Cockroaches
    • Wood-Destroying Insects
    • Stored-Product and Fabric Pests
    • Flies
    • Biting and Stinging Pests
    • Occasional Invaders and General Household Pests
    • Common Vertebrate Pests
  • Chapter 11: Problems Beyond the Realm of the PMP: Mystery Bites, Medical Issues, and Delusional Infestations
  • Chapter 12: Introduction to ACE Exam Preparation
  • Glossary of Terms
  • Suggestions for Further Reading


Special introductory pricing: The book will be offered to all customers at a special introductory price for a limited time only. The prices, which will likely rise after December 31, 2015, are:

  • ACE applicants: $45 (discount codes were emailed to all ACE applicants)
  • ACEs and ESA members: $69
  • Non-members: $85 

Shipping and handling will be a bit extra, of course, but you can avoid this fee by buying your book at the ESA booth at PestWorld 2015 in Nashville, TN, Oct. 20-23, or at the ESA Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Nov. 15-18. The book’s publication makes it a great time to become an ACE, and all current and new ACE applicants save about 50% off of the cover price. Books are expected in-house by mid-October and should be delivered for all pre-orders by late October.

And as if that weren’t enough, for a limited time and while supplies last, all orders will also include a FREE copy of one of ESA’s most popular titles, the Handbook of Household and Structural Insect Pests - a still-crucial resource for ACEs worth $59!

 So if you’re interested in earning your ACE or know someone who is, or if you’re simply interested in maintaining and adding to your knowledge of professional pest management, this is the resource for you!

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR COPY OF THE ACE STUDY GUIDE AT DISCOUNTED 2015 RATES AND TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE COPY OF THE HOUSEHOLD PESTS HANDBOOK