Needs the Association’s confirmation. Pest Control Technology (PCT) reported on 8 October 2026 that the Washington State Pest Management Association (WSPMA, US) held its 2026 Rodent Academy Training (RAT) on 27–29 September 2026 in Vancouver, Washington, for pest management professionals, researchers and industry partners, under the theme “Knowledge. Skills. Real-World Impact.”
Main points
- The programme covered rodent biology, rodenticide science, regulatory issues, inspection and structural exclusion, with hands-on practice in tools, materials and repair techniques. Instructors came from PelGar, LiphaTech, American Crawl Space & Pest Services, HY-C, University of California Cooperative Extension (Dr Niamh Quinn) and the WSPMA–OPCA state policy affairs representative; a session also looked at communication between pest professionals and property managers.
- In the field part, teams with limited tools and exclusion materials inspected three properties in the Vancouver–Portland area (a commercial warehouse, a multi-family housing property and a community shelter); they identified rodent entry points and conducive conditions, photographed and documented their findings, completed exclusion repairs, recommended further repairs, and then presented their reports to the whole group.
- Teams were judged on the quality and professionalism of their exclusion work. The team from Eastside Exterminators and A&A Pest Control was named the 2026 RAT King Team for straight cuts, accurate alignment and tight screening around recessed edges; at utility penetrations, insulation was stripped back so openings could be sealed, then replaced, without restricting airflow. WSPMA executive director Samantha Malone stressed that rodent management is “much more than placing traps or bait” and means looking at the entire structure.
- The 2027 Academy is planned for 20–21 September 2027 in Seattle, focusing on multi-family housing, restaurants, schools and grocery facilities, and inviting professionals from public health, waste management, maintenance, housekeeping and property management; an evening “RAT Walk” will look at structural weaknesses and sanitation in an urban setting.
- Needs the Association’s confirmation. VPMA could consider a rodent-control workshop model with practical work at real buildings, photo reports and scoring of the quality of sealing work; any use needs the Association’s confirmation.
VPMA’s note
News about an industry association in Washington State (US). VPMA is not part of this programme. Needs the Association’s confirmation before it goes into the Association’s activity plan.
- Source
- PCT – WSPMA Rodent Academy Takes Rodent Management Training to the Field
- Published
- 8 October 2026
- Section
- Association news
- Programme dates
- 27–29 September 2026
- Next edition
- 20–21 September 2027, Seattle
Editorial note: Needs the Association’s confirmation. This is a short summary by VPMA, not a full copy. The original text belongs to the source cited. Picture: trainees working at a building during the 2026 Rodent Academy, a WSPMA photo published with the PCT article.
Source: PCT – WSPMA Rodent Academy Takes Rodent Management Training to the Field (summarised in English by VPMA). Read the Vietnamese page.