AgriLife Extension guides statewide urban pest control

From cockroaches and mosquitoes to termites, bed bugs, ants and mice, pests may be one of life’s little headaches, but the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service urban integrated pest management, IPM, program helps make them a manageable one.

Across the state, a team of urban IPM specialists are delivering cutting-edge research, practical education and trusted resources for households, schools and businesses.

Robert Puckett, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension entomologist and associate professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Entomology, Bryan-College Station, said this program plays a crucial role to safeguard public health, preserve property and promote sustainable pest control solutions.

“The suite of resources and services we provide — for professionals, school districts and cities as well as to individual homeowners — has made an incredible impact on how we deal with pests across Texas,” he said. “We’re educators first and foremost, but we’re also driving forces behind the science of effective pest control.”

What is the urban IPM program?

AgriLife Extension’s urban IPM program is a statewide network of experts that includes program specialists Janet Hurley, Dallas; Molly Keck, Bexar County, and Wizzie Brown, Travis County.

These specialists are focused on managing insect and vertebrate pests with safe, effective, science-based pest control strategies, Puckett said. They are also dedicated to training and educating professionals and the public on best practices through in-person, online and hybrid programs and resources.

Specialists lead educational efforts, perform research field trials and provide hands-on training and guidance for pest management professionals, school district personnel and homeowners.

Another critical service offered by the program is pest identification.

“Every year, team members receive and analyze insect samples and photographs sent in by concerned Texans,” Puckett said.

Residents identify insects and understand the best course of action for their individual pest problem. This simple yet essential service ensures that homeowners and businesses make informed decisions rather than resorting to unnecessary or ineffective treatments.

“One difference between urban and agricultural IPM is that in urban settings, the phone often will ring at the first sight of an issue, whether it is one insect or 50,” Puckett said. “We’re not only responding to those calls; we’re also training professionals with the knowledge to assess the situation correctly and apply a safe, effective strategy to solve the problem.”

Why does IPM matter?

Pests are more than just a nuisance – they pose real threats to public health, safety and property, Puckett said.

Mosquitoes, cockroaches, ticks and rodents can spread a broad range of disease-causing pathogens with serious implications related to human health. Termites alone damage an estimated 600,000 homes in the U.S. each year, causing billions of dollars of losses.

That’s where the urban IPM program makes a difference — reducing these threats through integrated strategies that emphasize prevention, reduce pesticide reliance and promote long-term solutions.

One standout effort is the program’s School IPM initiative, which helps school districts manage pests with minimal chemical exposure for students and staff. This effort has not only improved safety in Texas schools, but also helped districts develop cost-effective, sustainable pest management plans.

“Sometimes it is hard to put a dollar value on prevention,” Puckett said. “In agriculture, we can calculate estimated crop loss. But how do we calculate the value of preventing a West Nile case in a neighborhood? Or stopping rodents from getting into a school kitchen? Or the value of training professionals to apply effective techniques and tools to protect someone’s home?”

How is urban IPM helping now and into the future?

As Texas’ population grows and urban areas rapidly expand, so do pest-related challenges, Puckett said. The urban IPM program is actively researching emerging threats and adapting its outreach to meet the evolving needs of communities.

Each year, specialists conduct workshops, field trials and hands-on training events covering the latest science and techniques for thousands of participants around the state. These field trials test new pest control methods and products — turning findings into real-world practices that pest control professionals and residents can use with confidence.

Additionally, with facilities like the IPM Experience House in Dallas, they offer practical, real-world training scenarios for pest management professionals. Team members collaborate with municipalities and communities on fire ant and mosquito control programs that emphasize the importance of neighborhood-wide cooperation to improve pest control outcomes for all.

“We’re there for the ‘I just found termites. Help!’ moment,” Puckett said. “But we’re also training and empowering those frontline professionals and homeowners to take smart, preventative steps before pests become an issue in the first place.”