Among the participants at Target’s Fumigation school were Jorge Hernandez, Enforcement, California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR), Kathy Boyle, Program Specialist, CDPR; Brandi Martin, Registration, CDPR; Jessica Mullane, Environmental Monitoring, CDPR; and Dennis Patzer, Regulatory Analyst, California Structural Pest Control Board.

SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. – More than 40 individuals representing the fumigation industry attended Target Specialty Products’ 15th Annual Fumigation School on February 2–3, 2010 at the University of California Riverside’s extension facility.

Featured speakers on the first day of the program included Curtis Good, Owner, Newport Exterminating; Don Reierson, Staff Research Entomologist, University of California; Ed Hernandez, Master Fume Program Manager, Drexel Chemical Company; and Luis Gonzalez Co-owner, North County Exterminating, Inc.  

The second day of the program featured hands-on demonstrations and an actual fumigation where participants observed the fumigation process from prepping the structure to the release of the fumigant.  A church located in nearby Grand Terrace, Calif., served as the fumigation site and received the fumigation at no charge.

Victor Tinoco, owner of Dr. Fume in Orange, Calif., facilitated the fumigation and donated the fumigation crew.  Drexel chemical company donated the MasterFume® fumigant.

“This is the first year our fumigation school has featured MasterFume® fumigant so participants had the opportunity to learn about the new fumigant as well as Drexel’s custom calculator, and recent software updates which address the new variable chloropicrin rate,” stated Dean Osborn, Fumigation Business Manager, Target Specialty Products. 

Regulatory panelists included Greg Creekmur, Deputy Agricultural Commissioner, Los Angeles County; Kathy Kilar, Structural Program Supervisor, Orange County; Dennis Patzer, Regulatory Analyst, Structural Pest Control Board; and Kathy Boyle, Program Specialist, California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

“We appreciate the participation and support we received from the various regulatory agencies.  Panelists answered questions concerning the new MasterFume® label, and other questions concerning regulations affecting the fumigation industry including new aeration procedures,” stated Gary Maxwell, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Target Specialty Products.

All proceeds from Target’s Annual Fumigation School will benefit the University of California Riverside’s Urban Entomology Fund.  This year’s program raised over $1,500 to further university research on pests of concern to the urban environment.