Tradition Meets Innovation at 90

This year’s conference brought together industry leaders, researchers and practitioners for three days of expert presentations, panel discussions and networking centered on the theme “Tradition Meets Innovation.”

Hosted by Purdue’s Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management and the College of Agriculture’s Department of Entomology, the conference dates to 1937 and remains one of the longest-running events of its kind in the nation.

Department of Entomology Head Catherine Hill said the anniversary underscores the conference’s enduring role as a bridge between research and real-world application. “For 90 years, this conference has connected foundational knowledge with emerging ideas, and research with application,” Hill said. “That balance of honoring tradition while embracing innovation is precisely why this meeting continues to thrive.”

More than 300 attendees and 30 exhibitors participated, including Purdue alumni, industry partners and thought leaders. Hill noted that the event reflects Purdue’s longstanding partnership with the pest management community and its shared commitment to preparing professionals for increasingly complex challenges. “The mission remains the same,” she said. “Excellence in education, excellence in research and collaboration that helps move the industry forward.”

Here’s a look at some of the highlights from this year’s conference.

MOCK NEWS CAST. Mark VanderWerp and Isabelle Lucero delivered a humorous, live “Pest Year in Review” segment highlighting some of the most memorable pest-related headlines of 2025, blending real science with satire. Promoted as a mock news broadcast, the segment traced the tradition of using humor to reflect on industry developments, a format dating back decades at Purdue. Lucero joked about being “on assignment” in Iceland, where mosquitoes were reportedly detected for the first time, while Vanderwerp riffed on futuristic science, including the bioengineering of a “woolly mouse” as a step toward reviving mammoths. Perhaps the least surprising headline to make the duo’s list was the December viral raccoon story from Virginia in which an allegedly intoxicated “trash bandit” was found in a liquor store bathroom. Vanderwerp and Lucero treated the story as a tongue-in-cheek true-crime mystery, complete with conspiracy theories and a surprise raccoon “guest.”

TICK TALK. Jody Green of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension presented “The Tick Talk: What Every Pest Professional Should Know,” in which she explored the importance of ticks as a public health and pest management concern. Green noted that accurate species identification is critical because different ticks transmit different diseases. She focused on the major tick species affecting the Midwest, including the American dog tick, lone star tick and black-legged tick, along with their seasonal activity and associated pathogens. Green underscored that ticks can transmit multiple diseases, often with flu-like symptoms, and that disease risk increases the longer a tick is attached. The emerging alpha-gal syndrome, a potentially life-altering red-meat allergy linked to lone star tick bites, was discussed by Green, who also provided practical guidance on tick prevention, safe removal, personal protection, pet care and landscape management. She emphasized education, early prevention and client communication as essential components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

RODENT REVELATIONS. Rodents were a hot topic at Purdue. Bobby Corrigan emphasized science-based rodent management, arguing pest control must evolve with advancing knowledge and technology. He explained that rodents think strategically, learn quickly and adapt, making simple trap-and-bait programs unreliable. Corrigan stressed that house mice are among the most difficult commensal rodents to control due to their small size, rapid reproduction, ability to survive without free water and use of hidden building voids. Even one breeding female can restart an infestation. Dan Collins highlighted inspection and behavior-based strategies, promoting tools like UV lights, thermal imaging and remote monitoring to locate rodents at the source. Kim Camera showcased trained detection and abatement dogs, demonstrating how mapping, observation and targeted pressure reduce infestations while minimizing rodenticide use and improving long-term results.

DELUSIONAL PARASITOSIS. Grace Kolb, graduate research assistant, entomology, Purdue University, discussed delusional parasitosis, noting that this disorder causes real suffering, even when no pest exists. Pest management professionals (PMPs) play a critical role that requires compassion. She urged PMPs to be open-minded with inspections that should be followed up with clear, confident conclusions when no pest is found. Communication should focus on listening without judgment, validating distress without reinforcing infestation beliefs, and setting firm boundaries about what pest control can and cannot do. Professionals should avoid arguing, diagnosing or offering unnecessary treatments.

LIVE BROADCAST. During a live Beyond the Pest podcast at the conference, Dr. Stan Cope joined hosts Jennifer Sweeney and Michael Thome to explore practical, science-based mosquito control. The discussion highlighted four key conducive conditions PMPs must identify: cool, dark, moist and out of the wind. Cope also shared end-of-season strategies that target overwintering female mosquitoes and debunked common mosquito myths. He explained why some people get bitten more than others, and emphasized evidence-based tools such as traps, drones, larvicides, and integrated mosquito management approaches over gimmicks and folklore.

TERMITE RESEARCH UPDATE. University of Georgia Extension entomologist Dan Suiter shared with Purdue attendees that paradigm shifts in termite control occurred in 1995 (Sentricon) and 2000 (Termidor). “The industry went on the offensive,” he said. Suiter drew on research, field experience and industry history in explaining how slow-acting, non-repellent chemistries revolutionized termite and structural pest management by reducing colony populations, lowering infestation risk and saving labor. His talk highlighted co-evolving technologies and landmark studies.

BUSY EXHIBIT HALL. As in year’s past, this year’s Purdue conference included an exhibit hall which included the latest technology and products from leading industry suppliers, as well as educational displays that supplemented the program.

The author is editor of PCT.