Overview

This course provides a unique opportunity to obtain in-depth knowledge about termite biology, including material usually not covered during pest control conferences. This event will allow anyone in the pest control industry, from the PMPs, to sales reps and technical staffs, to gain a new understanding of what termites are, beyond their pest aspects. This 24 hours workshop will include extensive seminars provided by guest speakers. If you work in the industry, and you want to increase your knowledge about these remarkable foes, this course is for you.

Continuing Education Units

This termite course was approved for CEUs by FDACS. It was approved for:

6 (Commercial termite)
2 (487 core)
2 (482 core)
and 2 (Fumigation)

Instructors

Dr. Thomas Chouvenc, University of Florida
Dr. Nan-Yao Su, University of Florida
Dr. Faith Oi, University of Florida
Dr. Joseph Velenovsky, South Florida St. College
Dr. Johnalyn Gordon, University of Florida
Dr. Paul Bardunias, Florida Atlantic University
Dr. Carrie Cottone, City of New Orleans
Steve Niedzwiedzki, Douglas Product
Dr. Donny Oswalt, DOCS
Joshua Johnson, CSI
Katie Tenn, FDACS
Dr. Tae Young Lee, University of Florida

Course Objectives

Participants will learn about the natural history, ecology, evolution, symbiosis behavior, and distribution of all major termite families.
This course will have strong focus on the biology of subterranean termites and drywood termites with a pest status.
Provide an update on the most recent advances on how we understand control methods for termite pest species.
This course brings new perspective that allows participants to gain a new appreciation of how amazing termites are.
Covers rules and regulations around termite control.

Testimonials

"This course is, without a doubt, one of the best pest control courses I have ever attended. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in termites or working in pest control, as it will undoubtedly expand their knowledge and provide the opportunity to connect with many professionals in the industry. Thank you to the UF Termite Research Laboratory for organizing such a fantastic workshop!

"I have never experienced the high quality at an educational event in my 38 years in the Pest Management industry. The educational material was not only informative it was entertaining. All of presenters held my full attention from beginning to end. I highly recommend this course."

"This was a in depth seminar on termite biology and behavior. The intricate details of how the insect works and how we as professionals can deal with them. The best speakers and experts in our industry given instruction. It was a lot of information. Well worth it in my opinion. Great knowledge was gained on this course and I highly recommend it."

"I learned so much my brain was in overdrive. The passion I seen from all the speakers was unbelievable. Thank you for all your hard work and time you gave us."

"I entered the course hoping to expand my knowledge of native and invasive termite species with a goal of providing more thorough and proactive care to our clients. I expected to sharpen my understanding of these species, how they function, and how to control them. My expectations were met and exceeded, as I learned so much more about termites than I ever thought I could. I recommend the course for those who value the protection of their community, clients, and team in the termite field, in particular leaders who are focused on being the best in their areas at termite control."

"I think this was an excellent course. I didn't realize how much I didn't know about termites and I returned home excited to learn even more. I've been sharing termite facts with all my coworkers and, based on this course, feel more confident in my ability to recommend and carry out various termite treatments. A big thank you for all the hard work that went into carrying out this course.I think this was an excellent course. I didn't realize how much I didn't know about termites and I returned home excited to learn even more. I've been sharing termite facts with all my coworkers and, based on this course, feel more confident in my ability to recommend and carry out various termite treatments. A big thank you for all the hard work that went into carrying out this course."

Location

Ft. Lauderdale Research & Education Center

FLREC Room T103-104
3205 College Avenue
Davie, FL 33314

Agenda

Day One: Wednesday
7:00am - 8:00am	Registration (Front Lobby), coffee and snacks at pavilion
7:30am - 8:30am	Welcome and Introduction – Perez (50min)
8:30am - 9:30am	Terminology, Life Cycle, Anatomy, Classification, Research History – Chouvenc (70min)
9:30am - 10:10am	An Introduction to Termite Symbiosis – Velenovsky (40min)
10:10am - 10:30am	Break (20min)
10:30am - 11:30am	Termites Beyond Pests. Termite Diversity in the World – Chouvenc (60min)
11:30am - 12:00pm	Insect Societies, Who Are They? – Velenovsky (30min)
12:00pm - 1:00pm	Lunch (provided) (60min)
1:00pm - 1:30pm	Social Insects: Why Are They So Successful? – Gordon (30min)
1:30pm - 2:30pm	Major Termite Pest Species, Invasive Species, Identification – Chouvenc (60min)
2:30pm - 2:50pm	Baiting Concept in Pest Control – Gordon (60min)
2:50pm - 3:10pm	Break (20min)
3:10pm - 4:05pm	Foraging Behavior in Subterranean Termites – Su (55min)
4:05pm - 5:00pm	Principles of IPM for the Control of Subterranean Termites – Su (55min)
5:00pm	Adjourn

Day Two: Thursday
7:30am - 8:00am	Coffee and Snacks at Pavilion
8:00am - 8:55am	Termite Problems From a Municipality Perspective – Cottone (55min)
8:55am - 9:40am	The Perils of Colony Foundation in Subterranean Termites – Chouvenc (60min)
9:40am - 10:00am	Break (20min)
10:00am - 10:55am	Colony Development and Demographic Changes Over Colony Growth – Chouvenc (55min)
10:55am - 12:00pm	Liquid Termiticide and Building Construction Considerations – Johnson (65min)
12:00pm - 1:00pm	Lunch (provided) (60min)
1:00pm - 2:10pm	Termite Legal Issues: From an Operator’s Perspective – Oswalt (70min)
2:10pm - 3:20pm	Termites and Liability – Oi (70min)
3:20pm - 3:40pm	Break (20min)
3:40pm - 4:20pm	Biology of Drywood Termites – Gordon (40min)
4:20pm - 5:00pm	So, You Want to Be a Fumigator? – Niedzwiedzki (40min)
5:00pm	Adjourn

Day Three: Friday
7:30am - 8:00am	Coffee and snacks at pavilion
8:00am - 8:20am	Termites in Trees and Their Impact – Chouvenc (20min)
8:20am - 9:50am	Termite Damage Q & A Breakout Sessions (3 Groups) - Drywood Termite Damage (25min) (Room 103) (Gordon) - Subterranean Termite Damage (25min) (Room 130) (Chouvenc) - Termite Laboratory Tour (25min) (LAB) (Su)
9:50am - 10:10am	Break (20min)
10:10am - 12:00pm	The Importance of Colony Demographics in Subterranean Termite Control Strategies – Chouvenc (110 min)
12:00pm - 1:00pm	Lunch (Provided) (60min)
1:00pm - 1:20pm	Conehead Termites, a Florida Update – Tenn (20min)
1:20pm - 2:20pm	Construction Behaviors in Termites – Bardunias (60min)
2:20pm - 3:00pm	Amazing Termite Behaviors – Lee (40min)
3:00pm - 3:30pm	Discussion Panel – All (20min)
3:30pm - 4:00pm	Concluding Remarks, CEUs (Florida) and Attendance Certificates

Please Keep in Mind That:

We are 15 min away from the beach
We are 45 min away from the Everglades national parks
We have a diverse fauna of social hymenoptera in various parks in the area
Butterfly World is 30 min away
Fairchild Botanical garden is 45 min away.

Registration

Course is limited to 70 people

Payment is due at the time of registration. Registration proceeds on a first-come, first serve basis. Pay using your credit or debit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Registration Costs
Attendee Type	Price	Deadline
Regular Registration	$395	On or before November 20, 2026
Late Registration	$495	After November 20, 2026

Registration Covers:

Lunches and Snacks (Wednesday – Friday)
Handbook with printout of all lectures
Course certificate

Registration Does NOT Cover (and therefore on your own):

Travel
Lodging
All Breakfasts and Dinner

Refund Policy

Requests for registration refunds for the new course dates will be honored if written notification of cancellation is received by the Office of Conferences on or before December 18, 2026. A 25% processing fee will be deducted from all refunds. Sorry, no refunds will be honored for cancellations after the applicable deadline. Email: kimmer72@ufl.edu

Travel Information

Local Airports

Fort Lauderdale Airport
(FLL)

8.3 miles (recommended)
Phone: 1-866-435-9355
100 Terminal Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

Visit Website of the Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL)

Miami Airport
(MIA)

26.8 miles
Phone: 1-800-825-5642
2100 NW 42nd Ave
Miami, FL 33126

Visit Website of the Miami Airport (MIA)

Nearby Hotels

If you want to share a room to cut the cost, please contact tomchouv@ufl.edu so you can be put in contact with other participants who also wish to share a room