Entomology
Tradition meets innovation: Purdue to host the 90th annual Pest Management Conference
Purdue University’s Pest Management Conference considers pests to be any organisms that cause problems to humans by damaging either property, health or food supplies, like ticks that transmit serious diseases to humans and animals. Join the conference to learn up-to-date information in pest management and proper control methods. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 2026 Pest Management Conference will be held Jan. 12-14 at Loeb Playhouse in the Stewart Center on Purdue University’s West Lafayette location. Hosted by Purdue’s Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management and the College of Agriculture’s Department of Entomology, the conference is celebrating its 90th year of advancing innovation, education and collaboration in the pest management industry.
Built on a foundation of continuing education and advanced training, the Pest Management Conference provides insights needed to drive the industry forward, while advocating for new ideas and technologies that support sustainable and environmentally responsible approaches to pest management.
Marking the 90th anniversary, the Pest Management Conference was and remains the first of its kind in the country. We have an outstanding lineup of cutting-edge speakers to make this event another success.” - Barry Pittendrigh, the John V. Osmun Chair in Urban Entomology and the conference director
Organized by in-house and industry planning and supported by industry sponsors, the 2026 conference will bring attendees the latest developments in pest management, including upcoming regulatory changes at both the state and federal levels.
“The Pest Management Conference has a rich, 90-year history of supporting industry education. This commitment began with a vision from professor J.J. Davis, who recognized the importance of supporting both the pest management industry and urban entomology,” said Patricia Hottel, chair of the Pest Management Conference Industry Planning Committee and freelance entomologist of training and technical support. “As the field continues to evolve — with new pests emerging or reemerging over time — the conference provides valuable opportunities for learning and networking while highlighting research efforts and producing influential leaders that will continue to protect health and property in the U.S.”
Centered around the theme “Tradition Meets Innovation,” the event will highlight a dynamic program of panel discussions and expert presentations from leading industry experts.
“Protecting our health, property and food supply is an ever-increasing challenge. And with persistent insect and rodent problems in urban environments, pest management professionals must stay current on industry knowledge and technology to properly manage these threats,” said Gary Bennett, professor emeritus from Purdue’s entomology department and a speaker at the 2026 Pest Management Conference.
Purdue remains dedicated to featuring the industry’s leading educators and to shaping the next generation of pest management professionals.” - Gary Bennett
This year also marks a special milestone as Pi Chi Omega returns to the Pest Management Conference for its 75th year. Founded in 1950 by John Osmun and six Purdue students, Pi Chi Omega has grown into the industry’s highly regarded pest control fraternity. The organization has advanced the pest management industry, awarding dozens of scholarships, sponsoring industry speakers at the annual National Pest Management Association convention and promoting a strong sense of community among professionals. Today, Pi Chi Omega continues to thrive, with nearly 450 members.
“We are thrilled to welcome Pi Chi Omega and all members of the pest management industry to the 90th Pest Management Conference,” said Catherine Hill, professor and head of the entomology department at Purdue. “It’s through the dedication of these members, as well as our industry partners, faculty, staff and students, that we continue to deliver a conference unlike any other.”
Open to the public, the 2026 Pest Management Conference also offers opportunities for advanced training. Industry participants can earn Continuing Certification Hours (CCHs) and Continuing Education Unit credits. Pest control professionals may renew their commercial pesticide applicator certification either through retesting or by accumulating the required CCHs, which vary by state. These hours can be earned by attending university-, government- and industry-sponsored programs approved by the Office of Indiana State Chemist.
“Pest management is not just a service, it’s a science,” said Bobby Corrigan, urban rodentologist at Bobby Corrigan Consulting and presenter at the 2026 Pest Management Conference.
Effective pest management begins with understanding the life of pests. Then, with the use of advanced chemistry and technology, we can ensure the safety of the environment, the public and pest control professionals themselves.” - Bobby Corrigan
Ticket prices for the 2026 Pest Management Conference are: full registration, $400; single-day registration, $250 per day; and exhibitor registration, $700. Sponsorship packages are also available, including the Milestone sponsor ($4,000), Gold and Black sponsor ($3,000), Silver sponsor ($2,000) and Bronze sponsor ($1,000).
Ticket prices will increase after Dec. 1, so register early to secure current rates. Online advance registration will close at 11:59 p.m. Jan. 7. Register here to reserve your spot.
For registration inquiries, please contact Sam Cleveland at confreg@purdue.edu. For additional conference details, reach out to Karin Gillund at gillundk@purdue.edu.
About Purdue Agriculture
Purdue University’s College of Agriculture is one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life and natural resource sciences. The college is committed to preparing students to make a difference in whatever careers they pursue; stretching the frontiers of science to discover solutions to some of our most pressing global, regional and local challenges; and, through Purdue Extension and other engagement programs, educating the people of Indiana, the nation and the world to improve their lives and livelihoods. To learn more about Purdue Agriculture, visit this site.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its integrated, comprehensive Indianapolis urban expansion; the Mitch Daniels School of Business; Purdue Computes; and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.
Media contact: Devyn Ashlea Raver, draver@purdue.edu
Sources: Karin Gillund, gillundk@purdue.edu
Agricultural Communications: Maureen Manier, mmanier@purdue.edu, 765-494-8415
