November 6, 2025
8:00AM - 4:00PM PST

Eastern Washington Fall Seminar

Technical Sessions

Spokane Hive
2904 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99202

Event Overview	Join the Washington State Pest Management Association for the 2025 Fall Seminar, held November 6 in Spokane. This full-day program offers 6 CEUs (anticipated) and covers timely topics including pests and public health, IPM in sensitive environments, advanced bed bug management, evolving regulations, and green pest control. Industry experts will share insights and practical tools, with a roundtable discussion highlighting real-world field challenges and solutions. Designed for owners, managers, and technicians, the Fall Seminar is your opportunity to stay current, network with peers, and strengthen your expertise. Registration closes November 4—reserve your spot today!
Investment _{Includes light breakfast, lunch and snack.}	Early Bird (until 10/19)	Member: $160 Non-Member $175
	10/20/2025 to 10/31/2025	Member: $175 Non-Member: $195
	11/01/2025	Member: $185 Non-Member: $205
CEU	ISDA: 3 CEUs approved (Course#: 2501180) WSDA: 6 CEUs approved (Course#: 2025-496-A)
Space	In-Person: 100

Register Today!

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge, earn credit hours, and network with peers and industry experts.

Session Information

How Pests Impact Public Health (8:00 AM – 8:55 AM)

Speaker: Dr. Jocelyn Mullins, DVM, MPH, PhD (Public Health - Seattle & King County)
Pests are more than just a nuisance—they’re a serious threat to public health. This session will focus on the direct and indirect ways pests contribute to disease transmission, allergies, asthma, and mental stress in homes and communities. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how their work supports healthier living environments and prevents outbreaks tied to vector pests and unsanitary conditions.

IPM in Sensitive Environments (9:00 AM – 9:55 AM)

Speaker: Michael Rector, ACE (PestCo)
Sensitive environments like schools, hospitals, and food service facilities demand thoughtful, low-risk pest control strategies. This session provides practical tools for implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that is effective, compliant, and safe for vulnerable populations.

Bed Bug Management (10:15 AM – 11:10 AM)

Speaker: Alvaro Romero, Ph.D (Envu)
Bed bugs remain one of the most persistent and challenging pests in the industry. This session dives into the latest treatment strategies, including integrated heat and chemical approaches, and offers insight into resistance trends and customer collaboration for long-term success.

Evolving Regulations: What You Need to Know (11:15 AM – 12:10 PM)

Speaker: Billy Olesen (PestStop)
With state and federal regulations continuing to evolve, staying informed is more important than ever. This session provides updates on recent changes and actionable guidance on maintaining compliance while adapting your business practices.

Benefits of Green Pest Control to Clients and the Environment (1:15 PM – 2:10 PM)

Speaker: Joe Pipher (Rockwell Labs)
As consumer interest in eco-conscious services grows, green pest control is becoming a competitive advantage. This session explores the methods, materials, and messaging behind sustainable pest control practices that serve both your clients and the planet.

RoundTable: Field Realities - What We've Seen (and What We've Fixed) (2:15 PM – 3:10 PM)

Speaker: Chris Somers (Rambo Total Pest Control), Don Rogers (American Crawlspace & Pest Services), Randy Moffat (PestCo)
This session brings together leaders from across the pest management industry to share real-life examples of issues encountered in the field across all major service areas, including rodents, ants, wasps, bedbugs, fleas, and more. Supporting photos will highlight common service mistakes and areas for improvement. The group will discuss how these situations were addressed, what corrective steps were taken, and how future incidents can be prevented. The conversation will focus on strengthening field training, improving service consistency, and promoting accountability across teams.

Meet the Speakers

Michael Rector, ACE

With over 17 years of experience in the pest management industry, Michael brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record across diverse sectors—including food processing, pharmaceuticals, commercial, and residential environments. Since earning his Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) designation in 2019, he has demonstrated a deep and practical understanding of pest control strategies, positioning him as a highly skilled and versatile professional in the field.

Alvaro Romero, Ph.D

Alvaro Romero is an urban entomologist with 20 years of experience in basic and applied research on flies, ticks, bed bugs, and other urban pests, including scorpions, kissing bugs, cockroaches, fleas, and ants. His work has significantly advanced the management of these important public health and veterinary pests. Romero earned a degree in veterinary medicine from the National University of Colombia, a master’s degree in veterinary entomology from Kansas State University, and a Ph.D. in urban entomology from the University of Kentucky. He also completed postdoctoral studies in urban entomology at North Carolina State University. Romero previously served as a professor and researcher at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM, where he authored more than 36 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 10 trade-journal articles, 20 online features, and delivered numerous technical presentations at professional meetings within the pest management industry.

Venue Information

Spokane Hive
2904 E Sprague Ave
Spokane, WA 99202

Details

November 6, 20258:00AM - 4:00PM PST