ACE for Turf professionals?

Here's something you maybe didn't know ... Pull your copy of the ACE Code of Ethics down from the wall (you do have it framed on your wall, don't you?!?). Did you realize that the official name of the ACE certificate that you hold is Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest Control?

From the very beginning of the program back in 2004, the intent has been to expand ACE into other areas where insects intersect with and impact the lives of others. ESA is making the first explorations into this as we begin our research on developing an ACE for Turf and Ornamental (T&O) professionals. Copied verbatim below is a letter from the Director-Elect of the Certification Board, Pat Copps.

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July 16, 2013

Dear Turf and Ornamental Professional:

Many Turf and Ornamental professionals have expressed an interest in obtaining certification in applied
entomology. These professionals see certification as a way to convince customers and employers that they
are the qualified professionals for the job.

The Entomological Society of America (ESA) currently offers a certification for professionals in the structural pest control industry. This program titled Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) is designed for the career minded structural/industrial pest management professional. The program emphasizes the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the importance of a basic understanding of the science of entomology.
For Structural pest management professionals, the present ACE requirements include:
1. Current license or certificate that allows the holder to apply pesticides in an urban, industrial, or structural setting without supervision. This licensure must require continuing education to remain current (if the applicant's state does not require ongoing education to hold a license then the applicant is automatically exempted from this portion of the requirements).
2. A minimum of 7 years of verifiable pest management experience in the United States (if the applicant holds a minimum of a bachelor's degree in entomology the requirement is reduced to 3 years' experience),
3. The ability to take and pass an online test of your knowledge of structural pest control,
4. The application fee, which includes your first year of certification and the online examination,and
5. A willingness to adhere to the ACE Code of Ethics.
To retain their certification, ACEs must renew annually with ESA. All ACEs must submit a photocopy of their current pesticide applicator's license, reaffirm their willingness to continue to adhere to the ACE Code of Ethics, and pay the requisite fee (which is discounted for those ACEs who are also ESA members). Further, in near future, the renewal cycle will change to a tri-annual renewal rather than annual and evidence of current CEUs will be required.

ESA is in the process of gathering market information to possibly expand the ACE-Pest Control program. If there is sufficient interest, a similar certification and set of requirements would be developed for Turf and Ornamental professionals. The program would build on the foundation of the existing ACE certification and when complete would be managed by the ESA Director of Certification with the assistance of the ACE oversight committee.

The purpose of this letter is to gauge the level of interest for an ACE certification in T&O and to request assistance in developing a program if there is determined to be a solid desire to have this certification. We are requesting your feedback and willingness to become involved as a volunteer in a role as coordinator or participant on a team that could help move this project to completion.

Please contact Chris Stelzig, ESA Director of Certification, cstelzig@entsoc.org if you are interested and willing to increase professionalism within your industry through the establishment of an ACE
for Turf & Ornamental. This program can only go forward with your help!

Thank you for your time and interest.

Sincerely,

Patrick T. Copps
Nov. 2013-Nov. 2014 Certification Board Director

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Dr Mike Merchant, former Director of the Certification Board and author of the excellent blog, Insects in the City, posted about this same letter here.

At this time we're actively seeking volunteers to help fill out an exploratory committee to develop ACE T&O. Please share this post with any turf professionals you know.

Interested volunteers (or comments and questions) should be directed to me.
Thanks!

Certified Science - July, 2013

Here is a summary of some recent articles in the ESA journals that relate to structural pest management and urban arthropod pests. The abstracts are freely available online for all articles, though access to the full text will generally require member in the Entomological Society of America, in addition to your certification.

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Ability of Field Populations of Coptotermes spp., Reticulitermes flavipes, and Mastotermes darwiniensis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae; Mastotermitidae) to Damage Plastic Cable Sheathings
Abstract:A comparative field study was conducted to evaluate the ability of subterranean termites to damage a set of four different plastic materials (cable sheathings) exposed below- and above-ground. Eight pest species from six countries were included, viz.,Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki) in China, Japan, and the United States; Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) in Thailand and Malaysia; Coptotermes curvignathus (Holmgren) and Coptotermes kalshoveni (Kemner) in Malaysia; Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) with two forms of the species complex … (Full abstract here)
Authors:  Lenz, Michael; Kard, Brad; Creffield, James W.; Evans, Theodore A.; Brown, Kenneth S.; Freytag, Edward D.; Zhong, Jun-Hong; Lee, Chow-Yang; Yeoh, Boon-Hoi; Yoshimura, Tsuyoshi; Tsunoda, Kunio; Vongkaluang, Charunee; Sornnuwat, Yupaporn; Roland, Ted A.; de Santi, Marie Pommier
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 106, Number 3

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Use of Black Light Traps to Monitor the Abundance, Spread, and Flight Behavior of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Abstract: Monitoring the distribution and abundance of an invasive species is challenging, especially during the initial years of spread when population densities are low and basic biology and monitoring methods are being investigated. Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys (Stål)) is an invasive agricultural and urban pest that was first detected in the United States in the late 1990s. At the time of its detection, no method was available to effectively track H. halys populations, which are highly mobile and polyphagous. One possible solution was the utilization of black light traps, which are nonspecific traps attractive to night flying insects. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Nielsen, Anne L.; Holmstrom, Kristian; Hamilton, George C.; Cambridge, John; Ingerson-Mahar, Joseph
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 106, Number 3

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Economic Feasibility of Methoprene Applied as a Surface Treatment and as an Aerosol Alone and in Combination With Two Other Insecticides
Abstract: Economic evaluations of integrated pest management strategies are becoming increasingly important as restrictions on conventional insecticides continue to become more stringent and chemical control costs rise. Aerosol treatments with insect growth regulators alone and in combination with conventional contact insecticides may be a feasible alternative to expensive and highly toxic fumigants such as methyl bromide for control of the Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)). Average calculated mortality of Indianmeal moth eggs exposed to surface applied methoprene, aerosol methoprene alone and in combination with esfenvalerate and synergized pyrethrins is 55.0, 69.0, and 94.6%, respectively. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Fontenot, Emily A.; Arthur, Frank H.; Nechols, James R.; Langemeier, Michael R.
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 106, Number 3

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Biology, Injury, and Management of Maple Tree Pests in Nurseries and Urban Landscapes
Abstract: Favored for their rapid growth and brilliant fall color, maple (Acer spp.) trees are among the most commonly grown deciduous shade trees in urban landscapes and commercial production nurseries. Many maple species used as ornamental plants share a suite of important arthropod pests that have the potential to reduce the trees' economic and esthetic value. We review the biology, damage, and management for the most important pests of maples with emphasis on integrated pest management (IPM) tactics available for each pest. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Frank, S. D.; Klingeman, W. E.; White, S. A.; Fulcher, A
Source:  Journal of Integrated Pest Management , Volume 104, Number 1

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Simulating the Spread of an Invasive Termite in an Urban Environment Using a Stochastic Individual-Based Model
Abstract: Invasive termites are destructive insect pests that cause billions of dollars in property damage every year. Termite species can be transported overseas by maritime vessels. However, only if the climatic conditions are suitable will the introduced species flourish. Models predicting the areas of infestation following initial introduction of an invasive species could help regulatory agencies develop successful early detection, quarantine, or eradication efforts. At present, no model has been developed to estimate the geographic spread of a termite infestation from a set of surveyed locations. In the current study, we used actual field data as a starting point...(Full abstract here)
Authors: Tonini, Francesco; Hochmair, Hartwig H.; Scheffrahn, Rudolf H.; Deangelis, Donald L.
Source: Environmental Entomology, Volume 42, Number 3

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Insects in the World of Fiction
Abstract: Just for fun! This article, while not directly related to urban entomology, is a fun list of insect references in popular literature. Use it as a guide to plan your summer reading or as suggestions for your customers for their reading. (Link is here)
Authors: Bauer, Erin
Source: American Entomologist, Volume 59, Number 2

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This blog post is part of a series that will post appx. every 6 weeks and which will also be emailed directly to all current ACEs and BCEs who hold a specialty in Urban and Industrial Entomology. If there are articles that you would like to see included in future editions of Certified Science, please email admin@entocert.org.

Two new BCEs

Our congratulations to the two newest BCEs ... both of whom are female. I have seen increasing numbers of applications coming through the office for female candidates and I cannot tell you how happy that makes me. It is great to see more women rising to the top of the profession and attaining their certification. Still more than 75% of our ACEs and BCEs are male, but Amanda and Erin are doing their part to change that.  

Congratulations.

Mrs. Amanda L. Fujikawa, BCE-Intern, (University of Nebraska - Lincoln), Lincoln, NE  USA.  Became certified on 6/3/2013. 

Mrs. Erin Michelle Mills, BCE, (Houston Museum of Natural Science), Houston, TX  USA.  Became certified on 6/25/2013. 

Certification Board actions -- June 2013

The ESA certification programs are under the direction of the Entomological Society of America Certification Corporation (ESACC) (a legal entity separate from the ESA whose mission is to run these programs). The majority of the operational decisions are handled by the Certification Board (CB) and daily management is done by ESA staff.

The CB meets face to face only once per year (during the ESA Annual Meeting -- this year's meeting is in Austin, TX Nov 10-13), but holds three more meetings via conference call once a quarter.  Below are the highlights from the June meeting, some of which we'll expand upon in coming posts.

Changes for ACEs:
The ACE committee, under the CB, proposed the following changes to the ACE program. All were adopted by the CB and will be implemented in the coming months.

1) An "ACE Award" will be developed and implemented in 2014.This award will be for ACEs who have been certified as ACEs for at least three years, can document extraordinary service to the pest management industry, and can document in an essay how they have increased professionalism in the industry.

2) ACE renewals will move from an annual basis to a tri-annual basis. In other words, ACEs will not have to renew every year. They will renew every three years. During that time they will be required to maintain state licensure. Those who apply for ACE certification will --upon passing their exam -- be ACE-certified for up to three years as well.

3) Phasing in during 2014, ACEs will be required to document continued education with their application and renewal by submitting a minimum of 18 CEUs with their paperwork.

4) Starting in 2014, ESA will debut a category of ACE-Emeritus for those who have been ACEs for at least 7 years and have since retired from professional service.

5) If an ACE applicant has earned a bachelor's degree in entomology (or a related life science) they can cut the experiential requirement for ACE certification. Under current rules a person must have a minimum of seven years' experience to qualify for ACE. If they also have an entomology degree, a minimum of 3 years' experience will qualify.

Changes for BCEs:
1) Starting in 2014 ESA is going to change the procedure for BCEs renewing and documenting their CEUs earned. Current rules state that a BCE must submit a report showing CEUs earned every three years. A $25/members and $50/non-members fee accompanies the report.

• Starting on Jan 1, 2014, the following changes are enacted:If a CEU report is filed on time (by March 15th) and in electronic format (MS Word, PDF, MS Excel) then there is to be no filing fee owed or collected.
• If the CEU report is filed after the deadline (March 16th forward) and/or is submitted in paper format, then the fee will increase to $30/ESA members and $60/non-ESA members.

2) In 1993 the CB changed the rules so that all BCEs who retired from active service to the industry but still wanted to maintain their certification would be known as BCE-Retired. Heretofore, they were called BCE-Emeritus.  Starting immediately, ESA is going to revert to the term BCE-Emeritus to better denote the professionalism inherent in BCE certification.

Newly certified ACEs and BCEs

Our congratulations to these new ACEs who have passed their Associate Certified Entomologist exam and are now proudly able to display the three important letters of A.C.E. next to their name on meeting badges, newspaper articles, and on company marketing materials.

ACE:

Mr. R. Michael Adams, ACE, (Advanced Services for Pest Control), Martinez, GA  USA.  Became certified on 6/21/2013.

Mr. Joseph R Yates, ACE, (Future Services, Inc), Grayson, GA  USA.  Became certified on 6/21/2013.

Mr. James Frederick Miller, ACE, (Industrial Fumigant Company), Bowling Green, OH  USA.  Became certified on 6/11/2013.

Mr. Philip Mathew Miller, ACE, (The Industrial Fumigant Company, LLC), Holland, OH  USA.  Became certified on 6/11/2013.

Mr. Danny Eugene Molter, ACE, (Molter Termite and Pest Control), Bradenton, FL  USA.  Became certified on 6/10/2013.

Mr. Samuel W. Bonderov, ACE, (ABBA Termite & Pest Control, inc.), Whittier, CA  USA.  Became certified on 6/6/2013.

Mr. Edward P. Foley IV, ACE, (Modern Pest Services), Brunswick, ME  USA.  Became certified on 6/3/2013.

Mr. Gregory Alan Bunch, ACE, (Action Pest Control), Evansville, IN  USA.  Became certified on 5/20/2013.

Mr. Daniel Metiva, Jr, ACE, (Rose Pest Solutions), Lansing, MI  USA.  Became certified on 5/16/2013.

Mr. Barry Lee Bradley, ACE, (Tomlinson Bomberger), Lancaster, PA  USA.  Became certified on 5/15/2013.

Mr. Dylan Morrison, ACE, (City Wide Exterminating Inc), Charlotte, NC  USA.  Became certified on 5/15/2013.

Mrs. Marie A. Horner, ACE, (Terminix), Greensboro, NC  USA.  Became certified on 5/15/2013.

Mr. Johnathon Steven Arnold, ACE, (Specialty Exterminating Co.), Madison Heights, VA  USA.  Became certified on 5/15/2013.

Mr. Gregory D. Bird, ACE, (PacWest Exterminators), Buena Park, CA  USA.  Became certified on 5/15/2013.

Mr. William Jeffrey Hope, ACE, (Florida Pest Control), Saint Johns, FL  USA.  Became certified on 5/9/2013.

Mr. Casper Xavier Branagan, ACE, (Bug Nerds), Christmas, FL  USA.  Became certified on 5/9/2013.

Mr. Michael Bartlett, ACE, (Univ of Florida, Dept of Housing), Gainesville, FL  USA.  Became certified on 5/9/2013.

Mr. Michael P. Ryan, ACE, (Tempco Pest Control, Inc.), Fort Myers, FL  USA.  Became certified on 5/7/2013.

Mr. Charles Patrick Oelig, ACE, (Guardian Pest Solutions Inc), Duluth, MN  USA.  Became certified on 5/1/2013.

BCE:
Mrs. Latife Stephanie Evans, BCE, (Florida Pest Control), Gainesville, FL  USA.  Became certified on 5/9/2013.
Mr. Jonathan Adam Holt, BCE, (Terminix), St Augustine, FL  USA.  Became certified on 6/11/2013.

How do I host an ACE Prep Course?

A lot of the incredible growth of the ACE program has come from ACE prep courses. Which leads to lots of questions at ESA HQ about "how do I host a course?". Anyone can teach a prep course, but not everyone has access to the powerpoint slides that are used in many of the presentations.  That said, the process of organizing and hosting a course is actually pretty simple. Here are the steps to host a course.

Think about your audience
Who do you want to come to your class?  Is it just your employees/staff/co-workers, or can you open this up to others in your area?  Class size is really up to you, but if you get more than just a handful of people, you'll need to also give some thought to structuring your teaching room. Will you need a microphone to speak to them? Will you need a screen and projector to display your slides?

Think about your speakers

In most cases the speaker who leads an ACE Prep Course is a BCE. The slides that many courses use were developed by Drs. Mike Merchant and Bob Davis (both BCEs). They hold the copyright and control all access. If you would like to offer a course, contact ESA and we can e-introduce you to them. Of course, you can create your own slides as well. We simply suggest that you follow the content outline for the ACE exam so that your students are as well-prepared as possible.

Organize your meeting location

The size of your audience may well determine your meeting location. If you have 3-4 people to teach then you can likely do this in almost any office. Larger classes may need to reserve a conference room at an office or even a meeting room in a local hotel.  

The larger your room, the larger your expense (most likely). You'll want to keep that in mind when you decide how much (if anything) to charge for prep course.

Market your course

Whether or not you open your course to the PMP public at large will determine how extensively you want to market your course.  If this is an in-house class only, then you'll only need to let ESA HQ know about your plans so that we can coordinate scheduling the exams. 

If you are opening up to a wider audience, be sure to alert pest control publications, your state and national pest management association, and even the general press news outlets in your area.  

For any classes that are open to the general public, we try to list them all on our website here, and then also push out to our Facebook and Twitter pages, if appropriate.  So be sure to contact ESA and we can help you market your class.

Prepare to teach the material

And finally, knuckle down to prepare your class. Be sure to set up an agenda so that you don't jump all over the many subject areas covered by the exam. We've found that a good structure for an ACE prep course tends to be a full day (about 8 hours) followed by the actual exam the following morning.

If you have specific questions on hosting a course, contact ESA and we can help get you started.

A great podcast to follow

I'm a runner. Not a good or a fast runner, but I try to get out several times a week. And when I do, I've found that there is nothing like a good podcast to take my mind off of the fact that I'm not a very good runner.

For those of us that work with, appreciate, study, or just want to know more about insects, Radio Lab is one of the best "easily accessible" podcasts that I've come across. Part of what I like is that they often feature insects as their subject.  With the coming emergence of the cicadas, two recent shows have focused on the 2013 brood.  There's this one that talks about entomophagy (the eating of insects), and this one that breaks the sound that you hear into individual songs of the cicadas.  For while you and I might just hear a steady buzz when the cicadas are out, the insects themselves hear a distinct mating call, based on species, and the females have a very definite response.

Other cool Radio Lab insect-influenced podcasts are these:

• Argentine ant turf battles.
• Emergence.
• Pain.
• And one of my all-time favorites, this podcast features ESA Fellow and ant expert, Dr. E.O. Wilson discussing the discovery of the purpose of pheromones.

So whether you plug your i-pod into your truck or just find the show on your local public radio station, this podcast is a good way to pick up on some quick (and fun!) insect information to share with your friends and customers.