2021 Rodent Academy in Augusta
Rodent Academy is back October 26th – 28th at the Maine State House Burton M. Cross Building in Augusta.
This year Rodent Academy is being offered as a 1-day seminar or a full, 3-day program. Participants may attend the 1-day seminar virtually.
Tuesday, October 26th | 8:00 am – 4:45 pm
Wednesday, October 27th | 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Thursday, October 28th | 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Participants may register to attend the first day only (virtual or in person) or attend the full program (in person only).
Registration fee for 1 day: $75
Registration fee for 3 days: $200
Preregistration is required.
In-person space is limited. Register today!
The Maine Board of Pesticides Control has approved recertification credits for this program:
- Day 1 – 6 credits
- Day 2 – 5 credits
- Day 3 – 3 credits
Attendees to the virtual, 1-day program must have their cameras enabled during the meeting to earn pesticide credits.
For questions about pesticide credits or certification, contact the BPC at 207.287.2731 or pesticides@maine.gov
What is Rodent Academy?
Rodent Academy is a program that uses classroom learning, hands-on exercises, and real-world inspection activities to teach participants best practice methods for monitoring, preventing and managing rodent pests in and around schools, homes, offices, parks, restaurants—any setting where these animals can become pests. The entire program is three full days, but participants may choose 1-day, in-person or virtual options that are classroom learning only. See agenda below. Register here!
Who Should Attend?
Pest management professionals, health officials, health inspectors, building inspectors, housing and facilities managers, school IPM coordinators, food industry professionals, building owners, sanitation professionals, and educators may benefit from this program.
Speakers
Dr. Robert (Bobby) Corrigan is an internationally recognized rodent expert specializing in solving complex rodent issues and establishing food safety programs. He conducts training for a wide variety of audiences including the pest control industry and public health agencies.
Rebecca Walsh, Health Inspection Program Supervisor, Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Jennifer Springer, Health Inspector, Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Haris Sohail, MPH, CPH, is a vectorborne and zoonotic epidemiologist at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Pamela Bryer is the Maine Board of Pesticides Control’s toxicologist. She has a background in teaching and environmental toxicology.
George Williams, ACE, is a Technical Sales Specialist at Veseris with more than 30 years of experience in the pest management industry.
Bill Black, Building Control Operations Director, Maine Bureau of General Services.
Garrett Hunter, Service Manager, Modern Pest Services.
John Pietroski is the Manager of Pesticide Programs and a former inspector with the Maine Board of Pesticides Control.
Griffin Dill is an IPM Professional who manages the Diagnostic and Research Laboratory Tick Lab and supports with clients on wildlife-related issues at UMaine Extension.
Mike Peaslee, ACE, is Technical Director at Modern Pest Services with more than 40 years of pest management experience.
What to Expect
In-person attendees:
Attendees in the 3-day program should expect to participate in active learning. You will be asked to apply information from the seminar portion of the program, think critically, work together, and problem solve. Be prepared to do some walking and go outdoors on Day 2. If you have them, bring a few inspection tools (small flashlight, inspection mirror, etc.).
Refreshments will be served. Lunch will be provided on Day 3.
Virtual Attendees:
Day-1 virtual attendees are asked to remain engaged throughout the day. Those seeking pesticide applicator recertification credits must have their cameras on during the meeting to receive credits.
We request your patience in the event of technical difficulties. While we are happy to offer a hybrid program to accommodate a wider audience, the logistics of doing so are greater than in-person or virtual offerings alone.
Agenda
TUESDAY (Oct. 26)
8:00 am: Check-in
8:15 am – 8:30 am: Welcome/Introductions
8:30 am – 9:00 am: Economic Significance of Rodents — Dr. Bobby Corrigan
9:00 am – 10:00 am: Biology and Ecology of Rodents — Dr. Bobby Corrigan
10:00 am – 10:15 am: Break
10:15 am – 11:15 am: Inspecting for and Identifying Rodents — Dr. Bobby Corrigan
11:15 am – 12:15 pm: Rodent Trapping for Monitoring and Control — Dr. Bobby Corrigan
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm: Lunch on your own
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm: The Science of Exclusion: Door sweeps, drain covers, escutcheon plates, sealants and more — Dr. Bobby Corrigan
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm: The Maine Health Inspection Program Case Study —Becky Walsh and Jennifer Springer
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm: Break
3:15 pm – 4:15 pm: Rodents and Human Health — Haris Sohail
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm: Questions and Instructions, Evaluations for 1-day attendees
4:45 pm: Adjourn
WEDNESDAY (Oct. 27)
8:00 am – 10:00 am: Proper Placement and Handling of Bait Stations and Innovations in Rodent Surveillance: Cameras and sensors, burrow baiting, dry ice, and more rodent IPM — Dr. Bobby Corrigan
10:00 am – 10:15 am: Break
10:15 am – 11:15 am: Rodenticide Modes of Action and How They Impact Humans and Animals Including Non-targets — Dr. Pamela Bryer
11:15 am – 12:00 pm: Rodenticide Classes and Formulations: Which to Use Where and When — George Williams
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch on your own
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm: State of Maine Bureau of General Services IPM Program — Bill Black and Garrett Hunter
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Hands-on Inspection Activity
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm: Reading a Rodenticide Label: Use Restrictions and Regulatory Requirements — John Pietroski
4:15 pm – 4:30 pm: Questions and Instructions
4:30 pm: Adjourn
THURSDAY (Oct. 28)
8:00 am – 9:00 am: Rodent ID and Equipment Exercise
9:00 am – 10:00 am: IPM for Peromyscus spp. — Griffin Dill
10:00 am – 10:15 am: Break
10:15 am – 11:15 am: Group IPM Plan Development
11:15 am – 12:00 pm: Group Presentations
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch provided
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Remediation Roundtable — John Pietroski, Mike Peaslee, and TBA
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Exams, Evaluations, Credit Forms, and Certificates
3:00 pm: Adjourn
COVID Restrictions for In-Person Attendance
If you do not feel well on the day of the program, please stay home.
Face coverings are required at all indoor programs regardless of vaccination status.
We ask that you be considerate of the speakers, organizers, and other attendees by following whatever State of Maine and UMaine COVID policies may be in place at the time of this program.
The University consistently seeks to take steps to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections (or any other spread of disease) in accordance with applicable law, regulation, and guidance provided by health authorities. These efforts may include policies and safeguards implemented by the University such as symptom checks, social distancing, use of facial coverings, and isolating and quarantining when required. Despite these efforts, the University cannot categorically guarantee that any person entering University campuses or facilities will not contract COVID-19 or any other communicable disease and any such person must assess and accept the risks of illness or injury for themselves.
Support for this program provided by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and the Maine Board of Pesticides Control.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate, please contact Kerry Bernard at 207.581.3884, 800.287.0279 (in Maine), or kerry.bernard@maine.edu. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however all requests will be considered.
The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).