University of Florida Fumigation School Set for 2005

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — With the first one under its belt, the University of Florida is making preparations for its second School of Structural Fumigation Nov. 14-18, at the UF, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC).

This program transferred to UF in 2004 after having been with Broward Community College for 16 years. This provided advantages such as the use of facilities and equipment at the FLREC and the participation of UF Department of Entomology professors. Also, members of the fumigation industry, professionals from Dow AgroSciences, the Florida Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control, and others are all heavily involved in planning and providing instruction for the course.

Now entering its 18th year, this weeklong course covers all aspects of structural fumigation such as measuring and graphing buildings, properties of fumigants, calculating dosages, and tarping techniques. New additions to this year’s program include the fumigation of a building on site at FLREC, a demonstration of a “fog out”, and demonstrations of new fumigation equipment such as the RDA fumiscope and the new Ensystex fumigant calculator. The popular, hands-on, wood destroying insect laboratory will also be given, giving the students the opportunity to look at the targets of fumigation: termites, powderpost beetles, and other insects.

The UF School of Structural Fumigation is a comprehensive course that draws participants from all across Florida, the United States, the Caribbean and other overseas countries. The students are a mix of fumigation company employees, pest control industry representatives, state regulators and others. Each student receives their own copy of the “Florida Fumigation” manual, a comprehensive book on structural fumigation.

Registration is now open. It is suggested that you register early to guarantee a spot in the class and to receive a $100 fee discount if you sign up by Oct. 14. To register and for more information, go to the UF Fumigation School Web site http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fumigation.