Fall 2026 Education Event

EDUCATION SESSIONS

Pest Management Professionals: Protectors of Public Health - Laura Rosenwald

Pest management professionals are at the forefront of protecting communities from public health threats. Many of the structural pests that we’re asked to manage are key contributors to disease, food contamination, and the general well-being of our clients. In addition, pest management professionals also play a role in environmental stewardship, which is another key contributor to the overall health of the communities that we serve. This session will cover the public health pests that you need to be aware of, as well as your role as a pest management professional in addressing these public health concerns. 1 Professionalism CREDIT

The Bugs Inside of Bugs: How Bacteria Can Influence Pest Management - Laura Rosenwald

Bacteria influence virtually every single aspect of our lives. They inhabit our bodies, they are essential to agriculture, they can cause disease, and they can be influential to the arthropods we consider pests. Can we utilize bacteria in our pest management efforts? In this session, Laura will discuss her background in how bacteria can control spiders and explore ideas about how bacteria can be used in pest management. 1 Pest Management CREDIT

Beyond the Checklist – Practical Hazard Assessment for Pest Management Operations - Joshua Becker, AIP Safety

This session will provide attendees with straightforward tools they can apply in the field to better recognize hazards, assess changing conditions and make safer operational decisions. We will explore how workers can move beyond simply completing a hazard assessment form and use the process to identify changing conditions, recognize higher-risk activities, and select appropriate controls before beginning work. Using practical examples and discussion we will demonstrate how a good hazard assessment should be an active decision-making process rather than simply a completed piece of paperwork. 1 Emergency Response CREDIT

AEPA Refresher on Record Keeping and REIs - Tanya Rushcall & Devon Smiegielski , AB Environment

Accurate record keeping and clear re-entry instructions are essential for safe and compliant pesticide use in Alberta. This presentation provides an overview of application record requirements, re-entry interval obligations, and notification responsibilities, along with practical tips for documenting pesticide applications and communicating safety information to clients and occupants. Following label directions, maintaining complete records, and providing clear re-entry guidance helps protect people, support compliance, and promote professionalism within Alberta's pest management industry. 1 Regulations CREDIT

Contamination Sources, Exposure and Symptoms - Andrea Sawatzky & Jason Burt, Health Canada

With a focus on pesticides, we will discuss what contamination means, the risks of contamination, how applicators and bystanders can be exposed and symptoms of exposure … using real case studies. 1 Human Health & Pesticide Safety CREDIT

Alberta’s Rat Control Program - Karen Wickerson & Garrett Girletz, AB Agriculture

This session will provide an overview of the program including the history, the legislation under which it operates, types of facilities identified as high risk for introducing rats into Alberta, and recommendations for rat control in these facilities. 1 Pest Management CREDIT