Analysis of Private Consulting Firms in Integrated Pest Management

As extension service pest management programs are scaled back because of reduced budgets, private consultants will become increasingly important in the transfer of pest management information to producers. However, little is known about the industry, whom it serves, and how it currently relates to the extension system. Thus, a survey of private pest management consulting firms was conducted as part of the USDA-sponsored National Evaluation of Extension's Integrated Pest Management Programs. Data on enterprise characteristics, education and training, clientele served, information delivery and sources, and relations with the extension service were collected from 136 private pest management consulting firms. Although virtually all companies provided pest management advice to their clients, most also provided other production-oriented services. Companies reported servicing more than 3.3 million acres of field and horticultural crops for 17,642 clients. Almost all firms used an integrated approach to pest management, with most acquiring much of their pest management information from the extension service. Given the extent to which firms currently use extension services, their willingness to expand interaction with the extension service in the future, and their interest in furthering pest management as a profession, it would appear that private pest management consultants are well positioned to assist the extension service in delivering future integrated pest management programs.