2023 Southeast Pest Management Conference

For more details check the event website:

This is the 26th edition of the  Southeast Pest Management Conference (SEPMC), the premier pest management conference sponsored by the Urban Entomology Laboratory at the Univesity of Florida, Gasinesville, FL. .

This conference provides continuing education units (CEU's) training for pest control operators (PCO's) as well as other professionals and volunteers involved in the management of pests in urban environments, both in structures and landscapes. The SEPMC provides education on General Household Pests (GHP), Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO), Lawn & Ornamental (L&O) pests, Fumigation (FUM), and general information (CORE) that professionals and volunteers need in order to provide quality service in pest management. 

MONDAY 8-May

Physics Bldg. Lobby

04:00 PM - 06:00 PM Exhibitor Registration and Set-up

TUESDAY 9-May

Physics Bldg. Lobby

07:00 AM - 08:30 AM Registration and Exhibitor Set-up

ACE Training and Exam Physics Bldg. Rm. 1002

09:00 AM – 12:00 PM - ACE Training Review

Rebecca Baldwin, PhD, University of Florida

01:30 AM – 03:30 PM - ACE Exam

Rebecca Baldwin, PhD, University of Florida

• TUESDAY 9-May

Physics Bldg. Rm. 1001

08:30 AM – 09:20 AM

GHP: Mosquito Control by the MCD's and How the Pest ControlOperator Can Help

Whitney Qualls, PhD, Anastasia Mosq. Control Dist.

09:20 AM – 09:40 AM

Break

09:40 AM – 10:30 AM

GHP: Effective Perimeter Pest Control Techniques

Larry Stretz, MS, MBA, BCE

10:30 AM – 10:50 AM

Break

10:50 AM – 11:40 AM

GHP: Small Flies, Big Problems!

Bennett Jordan, PhD, BCE, Ecolab

11:40 AM – 11:50 PM

SEPMC, Urban Entomology Lab, and FPMA Partners in PCO Education

11:50 AM – 1:00 PM

Lunch

01:00 PM – 01:50 PM

GHP: The Joro Spider: Lessons on Invasive Species

Dan Suiter, PhD, Univ. of Georgia

02:00 PM – 02:50 PM

GHP: Pest Ants

David Oi, PhD, USDA-ARS

02:50 PM – 03:10 PM

Break

03:10 PM – 04:00 PM

CORE: Pesticide Safety for Employees and Businesses

Paul Mitola, Environmental Consultant, FDACS

04:00 PM – 04:50 PM

CORE: Bee Safety

Jon Simkins, Insect IQ

05:00 PM – 08:30 PM

Sapp - Walkup Tailgator Steak DinnerParking garage on Gale Lemerand Drive

• WEDNESDAY 10-May

Physics Bldg. Rm. 1001

08:30 AM– 09:20 AM

WDO: The perils of colony foundation in subterranean termites

Thomas Chauvenc, PhD, Employer.

09:20 AM – 09:40 AM

Break

09:40 AM – 10:30 AM

WDO: Situational Termite Treatments – Overcoming the Good, the Bad, and the Just Plain Ugly

Michael Bentley, PhD, BCE. NPMA

10:30 AM – 10:50 AM

Break

10:50 AM – 11:40 AM

WDO: Formosan Termite Update

Johanna Welch, PhD, Environmental Specialist III, FDACS.

11:40 AM – 01:00 PM

Lunch

01:00 PM – 01:50 PM

WDO: Calculations for WDO treatment

Cory Goeltzenleuchter B.C.E., P.H.E., CP-FS, McCall Service

01:50 PM – 02:40 PM

WDO: Wood-Destroying Beetles, Bees and Ants

Danny Dye, A.C.E., Emeritus

02:50 PM – 03:10 PM

Break

03:10 PM – 04:00 PM

CORE: Pesticide Safety for Employees and Businesses

Paul Mitola, Environmental Consultant, FDACS

04:00 PM – 04:50 PM

CORE: What makes a Bug a Pest

Dini Miller, PhD, Virginia Tech University

• THURSDAY 11-May

Physics Bldg. Rm. 1001

08:30 AM– 09:20 AM

L&O: IFAS Fertility Recommendations – Compliance for Fertilizer

Bryan Unruh, PhD, University of Florida

09:20 AM – 09:40 AM

Break

09:40 AM – 10:30 AM

CORE: Insecticide selection and use for safe and effective IPM programs

Adam Dale, PhD, University of Florida

10:30 AM – 10:50 AM

Break

10:50 AM – 11:40 AM

L&O: Managing insect pests on wildlife-friendly ornamentals

Bernie Mach, PhD, University of Florida

11:40 AM – 12:50 PM

Lunch

12:50 PM – 01:40 PM

L&O: Graduate Student Research Updates

Biology and management of nematodes on ornamental plants

Lynhe Demesyeux

Managing mixed species lawns for enhanced environmental services

Agustin Boeri

01:40 PM – 02:30 PM

CORE: The importance of creating and properly maintaining buffer zones around ponds

Michelle Atkinson, MS, University of Florida

02:30 PM – 02:40 PM

Break

02:40 PM – 03:50 PM

L&O: Updates on turfgrass W**d management programs

Pawel Petelewicz , PhD, University of Florida

03:50 PM – 04:40 PM

L&O: Research field tour at the IFAS Tree Unit with Gail Hansen

Gail Hansen, PhD, University of Florida

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Physics Bldg. _ University of Florida, Museum Rd. & Gale Lemerand Dr., Gainesville, United States