IPM Experience House is a planned facility being designed to provide hands-on training experiences for professionals involved in both structural and landscape pest control.  The house is supported by the Texas pest control industry, and a fundraising campaign is currently underway.  Staffing and curriculum development is being developed by integrated pest management specialists based at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas.

Why Experience House?

Pest management professionals provide critical services to our communities by controlling pests like termites, fire ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, rodents and other important pests. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a way of conducting pest control that seeks the best, science-based, solutions while protecting the environment and human health.

Although pest mangement professionals in Texas have strict requirements for certification and continuing education (CEUs), until now the industry has few venues for hands-on learning experiences. Despite the importance of hands-on learning for adults, most CEU classes involve passive learning, such as listening to lectures and viewing slides.

Experience House is a dormitory building being converted into a classroom designed to provide a realistic, controlled environment to practice the skills and craft of IPM.

Other Training Facilities in the U.S.

The Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials (ASPCRO) maintains a listing of other state structural and urban pest management training centers in the U.S.  State pesticide inspectors and specialists often attend these programs for focused training.  Some of the training centers offer distance learning opportunities featuring local and national experts.

If your state or university training center is not included on this list, you are asked to send your program information to Derrick Lastinger at derrick.lastinger@agr.georgia.gov

Features

• Lesson plans for new technicians based on specially designed building features
• Real and simulated pest damage provides practice for sales personnel and inspectors
• Wall cutaways show building features that affect pests and control techniques
• Technicians will have the opportunity to get experience with the latest diagnostic and application equipment
• A covered, outdoor termite training area will provide an ideal site for hands-on training in advanced termite control techniques
• Mock restaurant, hotel room and hospital room allow for role playing and problem solving experiences
• Video recordings of training exercises will help students self-evaluate and hone their job skills
• Model turf and landscape settings will allow studying the best, environmentally sound, landscape maintenance practices

How to get involved

You can help make the IPM Experience House a reality through a generous donation.  Your tax-deductible donation will go directly to urban IPM training for professionals.  All donors will be recognized on-site and through the IPM Experience House website.

Costs of developing IPM Experience House are being kept to a minimum due to donations of space and an existing building by Texas A&M AgriLife.  Our fundraising goal is $250,000.  Phase One of the project will be the remodel and redesign of existing facilities (estimated $90,000).  Phase Two of the project will involve construction of an outdoor, covered pavilion and equipment storage area.  The pavilion will provide space for real and simulated pesticide applications, emergency response training and additional demonstrations on building design.

For a brochure about the IPM Experience House click here.  If you have questions or would like for us to schedule a personal visit, contact Dr. Mike Merchant at 972-952-9204, or via email at m-merchant@tamu.edu