10 Questions with a Pro (AKA: Extending my reach)
- Chelle Hartzer
- 28 minutes ago
- 5 min read
We're back this month with our series of ten questions with a pro. Every other month, I’m
interviewing a “pro” to find out what they do, how they do it, and how it helps pest control efforts. Today, we are talking with the fabulous Dr. Jody Green!
1. Give us the quick version of what you do?
I am an extension educator and urban entomologist with Nebraska Extension. I provide education and resources to help people make better decisions associated with arthropod pests in their homes, businesses, landscapes, and gardens.
Chelle - you know I'm a big proponent of education!
2. What got you into this, how did you get into extension and pest control?
I have been in the pest management industry for over 25 years. I took a course called environmental pest management that sparked an interest in structural insect pests, which led me down a path to graduate degrees in entomology. I have had roles as a service technician, termite inspector, pest consultant, pesticide safety, and professional entomologist.
C - I got sucked in by my very first entomology class as an undergrad, it's addictive!
3. What’s one thing you wish people would know or understand better when it comes to pest control?
For general client-people I wish they had a bit of appreciation or tolerance for living things/arthropods. For pest management professionals, I wish they understood the importance of positive identification before employing any treatment proposal, tactics, or next steps.
I can't tell you how many times someone PROMISED me the ID was right and it wasn't....
4. What do you think the biggest challenge for pest control companies is right now?
DIY products and self-treatment with directions from poor internet sources.
Directions? There are directions for this stuff?!?! (yes, sarcasm!)
5. What changes do you predict in the next 5-10 years.
More invasive species to contend with, greater species resistance to currently used insecticides, and increased vector borne disease due to climate change.
That fits patterns we have seen over the last few years.
6. You work with extension and specifically a lot of training, explain that like you would to a five year old.
For real, to a 5-year-old: “I talk about bugs”. I am a professional entomologist with a specialty in urban insect pests like rodents, bed bugs, termites, cockroaches, ants, stinging and biting arthropods that affect property, food, human health, and well-being.
I train Nebraska pesticide applicators for certification and licensing,
present at various conferences and training events in the US for CEUs,
am available for challenging identification of specimens,
I am the local expert who gives interviews to the media,
write articles for various newsletters,
and constantly network and collaborate with others to create and deliver useful entomological resources.
The stakeholders I work with are pest management professionals, state associations and organizations, school nurses, home and health care professionals, people in food service, renters, and homeowners. Basically, anyone who has a question or concern about an arthropod pest can reach out to me. (I hope that’s not too complicated).
And when do you have time to sleep?!
7. What do you think people get wrong about extension?
Many people don’t know what Cooperative Extension is, or they associate it only with Agriculture or something their grandparents would use, but it’s the arm of the university that brings the applicable information to the people so they can live better lives. It’s research in action, and I’m the messenger. I’m not stationed at the university; my office is in the community in which I serve. I’m the trusted resource helping the three-quarters of a million people in my accountability region, which is the greater Omaha area.
Those residents are pretty lucky to have you.
8. Pest control is affected by how you do it. What are your tips for effective pest control?
Identification first. Misidentification can be a problem that leads to prolonged pest infestation, misapplication of pesticides, and client dissatisfaction.
Utilize science-/research-based resources available to you. Don’t just get the answers; work on your skills as a professional. Get a magnifying device and practice good documentation.
Think like your target pest and use its biology and ecology to manage it by eliminating food, water, and shelter to minimize favorable conditions, colonization, and multiple generations.
Provide recommendations for pest proofing and exclusion so clients and customers can be empowered to help themselves.
Effective communication and soft skills to add value to your service will go a long way.
That communication piece, getting customers to realize they have a part to play is a big one for me.
9. What new “stuff” are you working on that we can look forward to?
This year, I’m working on traveling to new places to speak at pest management conferences and professional conferences. I’ve got the Purdue Conference in Indiana, where I will talk about ticks, and the Nebraska conference, where I’ll have a table and talk about pests Nebraska PMPs should know, then I’ll go to Des Moines IA, for an ESA branch meeting, then to Georgia for the National Conference on Urban Entomology. In terms of “new” stuff, it’s usually a surprise what kind of new and emerging pests make it to Nebraska.
That's awesome and I get to go to the NE conference this year so we will get to be nerdy together! Again... when do you sleep?!
10. If you were any of our pest species, what would you be and why?
Social wasp like a yellowjacket, because I’m a hard worker, contribute to the team/nest, not messed with often because somewhat feared, never forget a face, safe when not in defensive mode, but if I feel threatened or my people are in danger, I will sting - repeatedly, and it will be painful.
Yes, love it!
11. Any last words?
I love the problem-solving aspect of the pest control industry, so being curious and observant is important in determining what exactly is going on in problem accounts or challenging situations. Being able to ask the right questions to clients/customers has been a skill I’ve worked on for years. I’ve found that empathizing and listening skills are important, as well as seeing an actual specimen of the culprit.
Context is everything so asking: 1) Where (geography, indoor or outdoor, room, area) are you finding them? 2) How many have you seen? 3) How long have you been seeing them? And 4) what damage are they causing or what is the concern?
Here here!
Thanks so much to Jody for playing along with our ten questions series. You can learn about her below and stay tuned for our next “Pro”!
Here is where people can find me:
Resources
Bed bugs
A Bug's Life