Author: Zachary DeVries
Planning Unit: Entomology
Major Program: Integrated Pest Management
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Often times urban pests are thought to only affect those with dirty homes or of lower socio-economic status, but the truth is indoor pests can affect anyone! This was true on a recent case I handled and successfully solved involving a member of the upper administration (Vice-President) at a neighboring institution in Ohio. This individual reached out to me regarding a problem with drain flies in his home that had gone unsolved for several months. After speaking with him and reviewing the information, I devised a protocol to identify where the pests were, and provided instructions on how to eliminate them once found. Less than a month later, he reached out to me to let me know the problem had been solved and the problem/source (water collecting/poor drainage) had been fixed. While this case on its own is part of my daily job, the fact that this individual would reach out to the University of Kentucky rather than extension personnel in their own state is a testament to the strength of our department. This not only reflects well on the University of Kentucky, but highlights our reputation as one of the premier entomological program in the country, where people can turn to solve their insect-related problems.
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