The Case for Industry Advocacy

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As an industry we have a choice, accept the decline in support for urban entomology as the new reality or advocate on its behalf to ensure the next generation of urban entomologists have the education, financial resources and industry support required not only to survive, but thrive in the years ahead.

What does that industry advocacy look like?

“Local and state pest management groups need to engage university leaders (deans and department heads) in meaningful conversations about the industry and its potential,” urges Dini Miller, professor of urban pest management at Virginia Tech. “Help them to see that people really do care about research into new technologies and to understand the value of pest control extension work. Until they grasp the size of the pest control industry and the amount of money that fuels it and recognize the importance of urban pests to families and the public health, they aren’t likely to take action.”

Michael Rust, distinguished professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside, agrees, suggesting that major companies and state agencies bring industry players together to speak in a unified voice. “Those in the industry see the value in what we do, but they may not realize how dramatically our resources are being cut,” he says. “They need to demonstrate continuing, proactive support for the land grant mission so that universities prioritize structural entomology once again. It’s time for the industry to light a fire.” – Donna Defranco