PROGRAM

Pest management professionals play a crucial role in protecting our food supply. This presentation will explore common conditions within food facilities that frequently lead to stored product pest infestations. It will also provide a concise overview of key pests, highlighting how their biology and behavior contribute to these infestations. Finally, we will highlight the importance of the client collaboration in preventing pests and resolving problems that may arise despite preventative measures.

This presentation will focus on the non-termite species of insects that damage wood. A review of common pests will be discussed along with the most up to date methods of chemical and non-chemical control.

Beyond the Pest will host a live version of its podcast where we interview Stan Cope to discuss mosquito biology, control options and fallacies that persist around control methods

What can ants, bees, and cockroaches teach us about leading people? More than you might imagine. In this session, we'll explore surprising leadership lessons from the insect world. Through stories, science, and reflection, we'll explore how the principles that sustain a thriving hive or colony can also build stronger, more connected, and more significant human teams.

In this talk I will provide a historical perspective of termite control since 1995, the year the termite control industry changed. Termite baits were introduced in 1995, with DowAg's Sentricon. The new paradigm in termite control, followed 5 years later with the registration of fipronil, have arguably led to a period of product efficacy never before seen in termite management.

Fumigation is the most important control for stored product pests when pest populations reach critical action levels. Numerous species have evolved resistance to the most used grain fumigant, phosphine, while alternative fumigants have key challenges for their use. Research on additional fumigants, and fumigant alternatives show promise for effective applications in the near future.

Training isn't just for technicians. Training should include everyone within your company. We will look at many ways to make training fun and long-lasting. Topics will include: Training for new employees, on-going training, using the proper terms and phrases in our industry, using proper training to avoid cancellations, and using proper training to help techs upsell to clients.

This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of insecticide resistance in urban pests, elucidate its underlying mechanisms, and discuss strategies for effective management, including the adoption of environmentally sustainable alternatives.

AI isn't just a buzzword—it's your next competitive edge. This session will show you how to harness artificial intelligence to drive smarter, more sustainable growth in your pest control business. From streamlining operations and boosting marketing performance to improving driver safety, team training, and customer engagement, you’ll learn how to make AI work for your business—not the other way around. We’ll break down real-world use cases, explore easy-to-implement tools, and share practical strategies that simplify your processes, elevate your team, and set you up to scale with confidence. Whether you're just getting started or looking to level up, this session delivers the insight and inspiration you need to lead your business into the future.

Want antswers to some tough (and even newer) ant problems? This talk will cover ant basics as well as best pest management techniques for several species of ants. Dr. Kathy will also give a nod to some previous ant research from Purdue’s Urban research lab.