Excerpts from the new ACE Study Guide

We're pretty excited about the new book, IPM for the Urban Professional: A Study Guide for the Associate Certified Entomologist.  I mentioned in a recent post that the book had gone to the printer. They are currently printing the cover and then will bind the pages together. We're expecting to get our copies into the ESA offices by the first week of October, 2015.

As we were reviewing the proofs I thought it may be good to highlight a couple of sections of the book to help people understand just what it is they would be buying. The tone of the book is what I really love. It is written in a conversational tone designed to appeal to a wide variety of learners.

In the book you'll find text that covers a wide variety of topics, including insect biology, behavior, control, IPM, chemical classifications, etc. Excerpted below you will find a few short text samples and screen shots of pages from the new guide (all text and images copyrighted to the Entomological Society of America, 2015, not to be used or reproduced without expressed written permission).

(from page 37)

"Integrated Pest Management is sometimes defined as the use of two or more control tactics. Based on this idea, some may think that using two or more pesticides qualifies as IPM. However, IPM is of course much more than that. In addition to proper pest identification, knowledge of pest biology, monitoring, and action thresholds, IPM relies on integratings tactics from the following methods:
1) Quarantine and exclusion to prevent pests from beginning an infestation.
2) Making the environment less suitable for pests through improved sanitation and/or changes in building design or construction.
3) The use of cultural control methods to ensure that habitats (especially outdoors) are less susceptible or attractive to pests.
4) Physical controls involving electricity, heat, cold, humidity, light, or sound ..."

(from pages 96-97)
"One of the prominent features of the insect head is the mouth. Along with the number and arrangement of eyes, the form of the antennae, and the shape and texture of the head, the ability to recognize different types of insect mouthparts can help to identify them.

Insects have four basic kinds of mouthparts:
1) chewing, 2) piercing-sucking, 3) sponging, and 4) siphoning. These are not the only types–there are actually several more classes of mouthparts. In fact, some insects have no functional mouthparts at all as adults (as you might guess, they don't live very long). However, these are the major types that are found in most structural insect pests."

(from page 113)

"One useful way of identifying ant species is to look at the thorax. In some ant species, the thorax is smooth and hairless, while others have ornamentation or setae (hairs). Some species bear spines in different numbers and configurations. And some ant species have a thorax that is smooth and round when viewed from the side, while others look uneven with distinctive shapes.

The gaster can also be used to identify ants. For example, most individuals in the subfamily Formicinae have an acidopor, a circular cone-like anal orifice at the tip of the gaster that is surrounded by a ring of hairs. However, most members of the subfamily Dolichoderinae have a slit-shpaed orifice with no ring of fairs. None of the ants in either of these two subfamilies have stingers on their gasters, but ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae do (see following section on Ant Classification)."

Read more on these and hundreds of other topics in the new study guide for the Associate Certified Entomologist program. It is on sale now at a discounted price until the end of 2015. Click here to reserve your copy.

New ACEs and BCEs

ESA congratulates the latest PMPs who earned their ACE, ACE-I, or BCE:

New ACEs:

• Mr. Christopher Mosley, ACE, (Terminix), Meridian, MS  USA.  Certified on 8/4/2015. 
• Mr. John Matthew Zehner, Jr., ACE, (Alpha Ecological Pest Control), Vancouver, WA  USA.  Certified on 8/26/2015. 
• Mr. James Michaelson Truslow, ACE, (BASF Corp.), Grass Valley, CA  USA.  Certified on 8/27/2015. 
• Mr. Robert A. Ostrop, ACE, (Invader Pest Management), Glendale, AZ  USA.  Certified on 9/10/2015. 
• Mr. Greg Epley, ACE, (Food Protection Services), Memphis, TN  USA.  Certified on 9/14/2015. 

New ACE-Internationals:

• Mr. Peter Brigden, ACE-I, (Rapid Training), Stafford, QLD,   Australia.  Certified on 8/10/2015. 
• Mr. Ryan Frawley, ACE-I, (Active Pest Solutions LTD), Edmonton, AB  Canada.  Certified on 8/26/2015. 
• Mr. Shakeel Iqbal, ACE-I, (STERITECH), Milton, ON  Canada.  Certified on 8/28/2015. 

New BCEs:

• Mrs. Elizabeth H Foley, BCE, (United States Air Force), Beavercreek, OH  USA.  Certified on 7/24/2015. 
• Mrs. Karen (Kim) Kelley-Tunis, ACE, BCE, (Rollins, Inc.), Atlanta, GA  USA.  Certified on 7/31/2015. 
• Dr. Craig A. Stoops, BCE, (United States Navy), DPO, AA  USA.  Certified on 8/12/2015. 
• Ms. Amanda Rose Newton, BCE, (North Georgia College and State University), Leesburg, VA  USA.  Certified on 8/12/2015. 
• Mr. Daniel W Scott, BCE, (JC Ehrlich/Western Exterminator Co.), Anaheim, CA  USA.  Certified on 9/3/2015. 

2015 Award winners announced

The Entomological Society of America Certification Corporation (ESACC) is proud to name the winners of the 2015 Certification Awards. These include two professional awards, and one student award. The winners will be recognized at Entomology 2015, ESA's 63rd Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, MN from November 15-18, 2015. Additionally, the winner of the ACE Professional Award will also be recognized at PestWorld, the pest management industry’s primary education and trade show in Nashville, TN, October 20-23, 2015.

ACE PROFESSIONAL AWARD—This award recognizes the superior contributions of an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) in the field of structural pest management. Michael Goldman, ACE, President of Purity Pest Control, has been in the pest management industry for over 35 years and was the first non-US resident to earn the ACE designation after ESA amended the program rules to require a US pesticide applicators license to apply for the ACE. He is a past president (2 terms) of the Structural Pest Management Association of Ontario and served as Conference Chairman for over 12 years. He is a founding member and past president of the IPM Council of Canada where he helped establish guidelines and protocols for the turf industry that were eventually accepted and put into law by the Ministry of the Environment of Ontario. Michael was also a founding member of the Pesticide Industry Council of Ontario and sat on the City of Toronto Bed Bug Steering Committee.

Mr. Goldman frequently speaks to a variety of groups on bed bugs and termites and has written articles for such publications as Restaurateur Magazine and Pest Control Technology.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM—This award encourages, recognizes, and rewards outstanding contributions to the ESA Certification Program and the professionalism of entomology. Dr. Jim Fredericks, BCE is the vice president of technical and regulatory affairs for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), Fairfax, Virginia, the only national organization representing the structural pest management industry in the United States and internationally. In his position with NPMA, Dr. Fredericks is responsible for all aspects of technical and entomological publications, services, education, and training, as well as providing strategic direction to NPMA’s state and federal public policy efforts.

Dr. Fredericks is the executive director for the Pest Management Foundation, a nonprofit foundation affiliated with NPMA, whose mission and purpose is to advance the pest management industry through education, research, and training.

Dr. Fredericks is a board-certified entomologist specializing in industrial and urban entomology and currently serves on the ESA Certification Board. He holds a PhD in entomology from the University of Delaware, where his research focused on the factors influencing how subterranean termites interact with below-ground bait stations. Dr. Fredericks also holds an MS degree in entomology from the University of Delaware and a BS degree in biology education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining NPMA, Dr. Fredericks was technical director for a large pest management firm in serving the mid-Atlantic region, where he served for 11 years. While there, he was responsible for product selection, treatment protocol development, service quality assurance, and technical training.

Dr. Fredericks lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Alison, and two lovely daughters, Lydia and Annabel.

STUDENT CERTIFICATION AWARD—Sponsored by PestWest Environmental Science, this award recognizes and encourages outstanding entomology graduate students with an interest in the mission of the ESA certification program, and to promote the understanding and importance of the program. Sanjay Basnet is a PhD student at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln working under the supervision of Dr. Shripat T. Kamble. His PhD research is in molecular toxicology focusing on the exploration of RNAi in bed bug control. He also works on bed bug specimen preservation techniques: experiments on DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing. Along with his PhD research project, he is also involved in industry research projects on urban pests, such as ants and subterranean termites. Mr. Basnet received his MS in entomology in 2011 from Virginia Tech, under the mentorship of Dr. Douglas G. Pfeiffer, on the invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in grapes and raspberries. His MS research has yielded interesting data and resulted in two referred publications. Mr. Basnet obtained his BS in agriculture in 2008 from Tribhuwan University, Nepal, and did an internship in advanced agricultural studies at AICAT, Sapir, Israel, in 2009. Mr. Basnet is active within ESA. He has volunteered and presented his research at several ESA branch and national meetings, and participated in the YouTube Video contest. He is interested in the certification program and is planning to obtain his board certification within a year.

The Entomological Society of America is the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has nearly 7,000 members. ESA operates two certification programs: The BCE program, which supports the work of professional and degreed entomologists, and the ACE program, which is targeted toward those whose entomological learning has been more hands-on. The BCE program, which had formerly been known as the American Registry of Professional Entomologists, was acquired by ESA in the 1970’s and currently has over 430 certified individuals. The ACE program was started in 2004 and has grown dramatically since that time with nearly 880 individuals currently certified worldwide.

Contact:

Chris Stelzig, Director of Certification, Entomological Society of America
3 Park Place, Suite 307, Annapolis, MD 21401-3722
+1-240-696-3741
cstelzig@entsoc.org
www.entocert.org

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

And then there were two ...

Peter Brigden, ACE-I

ESA would like to congratulate Peter Brigden of Rapid Solutions in Queensland, Australia on being the second person in the world to earn the Associate Certified Entomologist-International (ACE-I) designation.

Having been launched at PestWorld in 2014, the ACE-I is a new and international version of the ACE program. The first ACE-I, Kenneth Leung (Hong Kong), passed his exams in February of 2015 and --though others have attempted it-- Peter is only the second person in the world to pass both of the ACE-I exams. The ACE-I program differs from the ACE program in several key respects, including the fact that applicants are required to take and pass two exams (One on Core entomology and pest management/IPM skills; and another on pesticide knowledge and safety) instead of just one for the US version of the ACE program.

"Getting ACE-certified serves as confirmation that as a professional trainer in the Australian Pest Management Industry, that I ‘know my stuff’," Brigden recently told the ESA staff. It also served as a personal challenge to get a qualification of international standing for the industry and --if it challenges others, like it seems to in the USA-- then that is a good thing because we need to stretch ourselves mentally from time to time. ACE also served as a professional marker because as a trainer I need to continually develop my professional standards in both training (teaching) and industry knowledge (pest management) and for the latter, ACE-I does that in a most unequivocal manner."

Hear Peter speak on August at the 2015 Rapid Risk Management Conference, August 14-15, on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

Newly certified - through July 15, 2015

You can always tell when we're in the thick of summer. Not just because the temperatures climb, but because the number of people testing for their ACE and BCE slows down. So these folks are to be doubly congratulated for taking the time out of their busy summer seasons to successfully sit for their ACE or BCE exams.

• Ms. Lauren Ashley Ward, BCE-Intern, (Texas A&M University), Bryan, TX  USA.  Certified on 6/30/2015. 
• Mr. Eric Douglas Anderson, ACE, (Ecolab Pest Elimination), Saint Paul, MN  USA.  Certified on 7/9/2015. 
• Mr. Jon Jeffry Duran, ACE, (Venables Pest Management), Tumwater, WA  USA.  Certified on 6/26/2015. 
• Mr. Jesse Jay Collins, ACE, (McCauley Services), Benton, AR  USA.  Certified on 6/23/2015. 
• Mr. William Paul Ballard, ACE, (Allgood Pest Solutions), Dublin, GA  USA.  Certified on 6/19/2015. 
• Mr. Anthony Wade Huggins, Jr., ACE, (Cook's Pest Control), Decatur, AL  USA.  Certified on 6/19/2015. 
• Mr. Jason Lee Kiefer, ACE, (Cook's Pest Control), Decatur, AL  USA.  Certified on 6/19/2015. 
• Mr. Jay C. Spicer, ACE, (Janus Pest Management, Inc.), San Dimas, CA  USA.  Certified on 6/19/2015. 
• Mrs. M'lissa Ponder, ACE, (ABC Home and Commercial Services), San Antonio, TX  USA.  Certified on 6/17/2015. 
• Mr. Tracy Lee Oliver, ACE, (Cook's Pest Control), Decatur, AL  USA.  Certified on 6/16/2015. 

Updated ACE Code of Ethics (Guest Post)

By 2015 ESA Certification Board Director Dr. Laura Higgins, BCE

By unanimous vote yesterday, the Certification Board updated the ACE Code of Ethics which is binding on all ACEs and ACE aspirants. The Code of Ethics is seen as a living document and may change over time, though the intent will always be to ensure that ACEs and those who wish to become ACEs continue to be of the highest ethical caliber and represent the best in our industry.

For the most part, the recent changes to the Code of Ethics were cosmetic and merely served to simplify and clarify the language. For example, in the previous version of the Code, every time the ACE was referred to, it was listed as "Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest Control," a cumbersome structure to be sure. In the new version, that has been simplified to "ACE" in 25 different instances.

The most substantive changes came to Sections 3.4, which was a relatively new addition to the Code, having been added only in November 2013, as discussed here. Whereas the previous version of this Section only dealt with the ways that an ACE refers to themselves, this latest update adds a burden on the ACE to report back to ESA any misuse of the terms entomologist or certified entomologist.

It is the belief of the ESA Certification Board that only by obtaining a degree in entomology (whether a Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate) can one become an entomologist. The ACE is the only legitimate path currently in existence for an individual to become an Associate Certified Entomologist.

Any pest management professional who claims to be a "Certified Entomologist" but (a) does not have a degree in the science, or (b) is not certified as an ACE or a BCE is not recognized as a certified entomologist in the eyes of the ESA Certification Board.

This is not a change from past practices, actions, nor beliefs of the Certification Board, it is merely a codification of long-standing policy of the Board.

To review the current ACE Code of Ethics, please click here.

The specific changes to the Code are detailed below with additions indicated in blue and deletions noted by strike-through:

Preamble: The profession of entomology is increasingly important to the welfare and progress of human society. Associate Certified Entomologists-Pest Control (ACE)s have the position and authority to render effective service to humanity, in keeping with high standards of ethical conduct. In order that the honor and dignity of the profession be advanced and maintained, the Entomological Society of America (ESA) has established the following code to define the professional conduct and ethics, binding on Associate Certified Entomologists-Pest ControlACEs.
1.1: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest Control'sACE’s knowledge and skills will be used for the betterment of human welfare.
1.2: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will share in sustaining the laws, institutions, and burdens of the community.
2.1: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will have proper regard for the safety, health, and welfare of the public in the performance of all of his or her professional duties – ensuring proper regard for the safety, health, and welfare of the public and environment; documenting findings as appropriate and required; and keeping all stakeholders informed of the process.
2.2: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will be honest and impartial, and will preface any one-sided statements, criticisms, or arguments by clearly indicating on whose behalf they are made.
2.3: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will express an opinion on an entomological subject only when it is founded on adequate knowledge and honest conviction,; and will be factual in all estimates, reports, and testimoniesy.
3.1: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will strive to advance the science and art of entomology, to guard and uphold its high standard of honor, and to conform with to the principles of professional conduct.
3.2: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will cooperate in edifying the profession by exchanging information with fellow entomologists, and by contributing to the work of technical societies and the technical press, where disclosure of such information does not conflict with the interests of clients and employers.
3.3: The ACE will strive to promote the public’s awareness and perception of pest management, pest management professionals, and all facets of the pest management business, taking special care of his/her responsibilities as an ACE to defend the honor and prestige of the entomological aspects of the pest management profession that are encapsulated by the ACE program.The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest Control will defend the prestige of the entomology and pest control professions and will report to the Entomological Society of America any persons or organizations using the words entomologist, entomology, or derivatives thereof in a manner implying performance or supervision by a Board Certified Entomologist, or by an Associate Certified Entomologist, when such is not true.
3.4: The ACE, when referring to the certification granted by the ESA, shall always use the full title of Associate Certified Entomologist or ACE, rather than abbreviating to Certified Entomologist or only Entomologist. The ACE will seek to inform others of the prestige of entomology and will immediately report to the ESA any misuse or misrepresentation of the terms entomology, entomologist, Associate Certified Entomologist, Board Certified Entomologist, or derivatives thereof. The Associate Certified Entomologist – Pest Control, when referring to the certification granted by the Entomological Society of America, shall always use the full title of Associate Certified Entomologist or ACE, rather than abbreviating to certified entomologist or only entomologist.
4.1: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will act as a faithful agent or trustee for each employer or client, and will not knowingly engage in illegal work or unethical practice, or knowingly cooperate with any person so engaged.
4.2: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will undertake only those entomological assignments for which he or she is qualified. The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will obtain, or advise the employer or client to obtain, the assistance of specialists whenever the employer's or client's interests are so served best, and will cooperate with such specialists.
4.3: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will indicate to the employer or client alternatives to recommended courses of action and the expected consequences of each recommended action and alternative.
4.4: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will inform the employer or client of any financial interest, or other conflicting interest, he or she has in any person, material, device, or concept which is or might become involved in a project or work for the employer or client. Decisions regarding entomological or business services to be performed shall not be influenced by such interests.
4.5: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will act fairly and justly toward vendors and contractors, selecting their products and services on the basis of merit and value.
4.6: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will not disclose information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of present or former employers or clients without their consent.
4.7: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one party for the same service, or for other services pertaining to the same work, without the consent of all interested parties.
5.1: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will give credit for pest management and entomological work or advice to whom it is due.
5.2: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will promote solidarity and harmony with fellow pest management professionals, respect their judgment, and support them collectively and individually whenever possible against unjust claims and accusations.
5.3: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will not accept any engagement to review the professional work of a fellow pest management professional (except in litigation and editing of technical or scientific papers) without the knowledge of such person, unless the person’s connection with the work has been terminated.
5.4: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will not injure intentionally the professional reputation, prospects, or practice of another pest management professional. However, proof that another ACECertified Entomologist has done anything unethical, illegal, or unfair in a professional capacity, should be communicated to the Entomological Society of AmericaESA as soon as possible.
5.5: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE will provide a prospective pest management employee with complete information on working conditions and the proposed status of employment and during employment will keep the employee informed of any changes therein.
5.6: The Associate Certified Entomologist-Pest ControlACE who employs or supervises other pest management professionals will endeavor to encourage and provide opportunities for their professional development and advancement.