Biology and Control of Insects & Rodents Program

NEHA is now collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health (CDC/NCEH), on the development and facilitation of a second Biology and Control of Insects and Rodents (I&R) Workshop. The program that was pilot tested last summer was developed in recognition of the growing number of vector borne diseases adversely affecting major populations and the desire of the environmental health professional to learn and understand the biology of insect and rodent pests.

The pilot I&R training took place in June 2006 as a pre-conference workshop to NEHA's Annual Educational Conference (AEC) & Exhibition in San Antonio, Texas. The second I&R training was held as a pre-conference workshop during NEHA's Atlantic City, New Jersey AEC & Exhibition in June 2007. The workshops involve a classroom lecture and group discussion on the biology of insects and rodents of public health significance; effective physical and chemical insect and rodent control methods (including integrated pest and sanitation management); and insect and rodent-borne diseases of public health significance, including possible bioterror agents. 

For free access to this CDC sponsored course, including free CE credits, visit NEHA-CERT and click on the CDC Sponsored Programs link.

NEHA’s Current I&R Project Learning Objectives

To increase the knowledge level of environmental health professionals by providing basic training and resource information and to increase their confidence and competence level on:

• The identification, biology, and control of insects and rodents of public health importance when addressing pest infestations.
• Commonly used insecticides in the control of insects of public health importance when addressing approved use of insecticides.
• Commonly used rodenticides in the control of rodents of public health importance when addressing approved use of rodenticides.
• Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques in the control of insects and rodents of public health importance when advising or monitoring the use of IPM techniques.
• Understanding zoonotic diseases of public health importance that are transmissible to humans from insects and rodents and the associated risks of transmission to humans.