Entomology: Personnel
Entomology Faculty
L. Paul GuillebeauProfessor of Entomology Contact InformationAddress: Department of Entomology Phone: (706) 542-9031 |
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My primary responsibility is the coordination of all pesticide programs. We focus on three broad areas: 1) reduction of pesticide risks, 2) pesticide policy and regulation, and 3) facilitation of integrated pest management.
Education is the primary tool for reducing pesticide risks. We are responsible for training about 30,000 pesticide applicators to safely use restricted-use pesticides. To meet this challenge, we use a combination of written materials, web-based information, distance education, and live workshops. Additionally, our program trains a very large group of farm workers through the Worker Protection Program. We also provide training and materials for nonprofessional applicators to help them reduce their pesticide risk around the home. Finally, a new program is educating people without much education or for whom English is a second language.
In many situations, it is impossible to manage pest populations without pesticides. Pesticides are often necessary in agriculture, and pesticides help protect human health and homes. However, pesticides can also carry risks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Georgia Department of Agriculture try to balance the risks and benefits through prudent regulation of pesticides. It is a major part of our responsibility to work with these two agencies to help create balanced pesticide policies and regulations.
People are concerned about the risks of pesticides, but uncontrolled pest populations are also unacceptable. Integrated pest management (IPM) is the best solution. IPM is a strategy the focuses control measures on the biology and ecology of the pest. Pesticides may still be necessary to manage pest populations, but pesticidal control is not the focus of an IPM program. Dependence on pesticides is reduced, along with the risks to human health and the environment. Some of our major IPM programs are "IPM in Schools" and "Homeowner IPM."
Online Publications
The Georgia Pest Management Newsletter, a monthly publication about pest management and pest management tools. Contact us if you want to be on our mailing list; it's free.
Issues of the Georgia Pest Mangement Newsletter
Keeping Pests Out of the Home with Fewer Pesticides & Using Pesticides Safely
www.ent.uga.edu/ipm/homeowner_ipm.htm
IPM in Schools
georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/getstory.cfm?storyid=1232
Protect Yourself Against Bites and Stings & Use Repellents Safely
www.ent.uga.edu/ent_pubs/protect_against_bites.htm
Georgia Pest Management Handbook
www.ent.uga.edu/pmh