For more than half a century, pest management professionals from across Kentucky and the surrounding region have gathered in Lexington each fall to strengthen their skills, learn about new tools and connect with experts in the field. This November, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment will once again host the UK Pest Control Short Course, marking its 54th year as one of the longest-running training events of its kind in the country. 

The 2025 edition will take place Nov. 4–6 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Lexington. Organized in partnership with the Kentucky Pest Management Association, the three-day event offers education, networking and professional development opportunities for pest control operators, public health officials, housing authorities and other members of the industry. Speakers from across the country will cover topics ranging from rodent control strategies to updates on regulations and the newest control methods available to professionals in the field. 

“Pest control isn’t just about comfort, it’s about protecting public health,” said Zachary DeVries, The Bill Gatton Foundation Early-Career Professors associate professor of urban entomology in the  Department of Entomology and one of the event’s organizers. “Cockroaches can trigger asthma, mosquitoes and ticks spread disease, termites destroy structures and bed bugs cause severe stress. The Short Course makes sure the people fighting these pests have the best training possible, so they are prepared to tackle these issues and keep folks in Kentucky and the surrounding states safe.” 

The program combines large group lectures with breakout sessions and features a full exhibit hall of vendors showcasing new products and technologies. Attendees will also have the chance to earn continuing education units (CEUs), which are required to maintain certification and licenses in pest management.  

One of the hallmarks of the Short Course is its role as a bridge between research and practice. Students in UK’s Department of Entomology help organize the event and present their own work to industry professionals. This gives trainees hands-on experience in translating academic research into practical solutions while providing pest control operators with access to the latest findings. 

“Our students aren’t just watching from the sidelines,” DeVries said. “They’re sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with professionals from Kentucky and beyond, learning from them and sharing their own research. It’s a unique opportunity to prepare them for their careers while helping the industry stay ahead of emerging challenges.” 

The Short Course is open to the general public, though its main audience is professionals connected to the pest management industry. Early-bird registration, which ends Sept. 30, is $290. Afterward, the cost increases to $340. Exhibitor opportunities are also available, with an exhibit hall expected to feature more than 40 vendors. 

“This course is one of the most important things we do each year,” DeVries said. “Not everyone can travel to national meetings, but we bring the same level of expertise here to Kentucky. It’s an investment in our industry and in the safety and health of the people we serve.” 

For details on the program, including registration information and a full schedule, visit the UK Pest Control Short Course website at kyshortcourse.ca.uky.edu. 

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Writer: Jordan Strickler, jstrickler@uky.edu 

University of Kentucky alum and former trustee Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton bestowed a transformational $100 million gift to the college through The Bill Gatton Foundation. It is the largest gift to the university in its history.   

Four Pillars of The Bill Gatton Foundation’s gift are (1) Scholarships and other initiatives for Student Success, (2) Companion Animal Program, (3) 21st Century Capital Projects and New Initiatives Fund and (4) Faculty Research and Innovation/Research Challenge Trust Fund Program.   

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services to individuals and institutions that provide equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.