Entomology and Plant Pathology

Research Specialties

Urban Entomology

Dr. Karen Vail, Associate Professor

The "Urban" in Urban Entomology refers to pest problems associated with people in and around their homes, work places, or places of leisure. The University of Tennessee supports urban entomology through extension, research and teaching. Research activities in this area emphasize the management of odorous house ants, fire ants and other pest ants and the management of subterranean termites using baiting systems or traditional soil termiticides. Extension activities may include all of the pests listed below plus other pests that are usually considered non-agricultural:

ants (structure-invading ants, carpenter ants, fire ants), bed bugs, boxelder bugs, carpenter bees, carpet beetles, cicada killers, clothes moths, cockroaches, fleas, foreign grain beetles, head lice, hornets, lady beetles, mosquitoes, mud daubers, silverfish and firebrats, spiders ( brown recluse, black widow), termites, ticks, yellow jackets and other pest around the home. Pesticide suggestions are updated for pest around the home for professionals and homeowners, lawn insects, vegatable insects, and fruit pests.

According to the FY2001-02 Revenue Options, the pest management industry in Tennessee is estimated to represent revenues of approximately $150 million annually. Nearly 5,631 pest management professionals provide services in and around structures for many of the 5.9 million residents of the state.

We collaborate with other university and industry scientists throughout the country in seeking answers to solve urban entomology problems for Tennesseans. Urban entomology potentially impacts all citizens of the state and their quality of life.

Links

• Child-serving facility IPM

• UTYEAH (Youth Enivroment and Health)

• Fire Ants
  

Dr. Karen Vail, Associate Professor

• Extension Work
• Publications
• Teaching
• Vitae
• Personnel