Texas

While other little girls did their best to avoid bugs, San Antonio native Molly Keck was fascinated by them.

"My dad was a veterinarian, so I learned about fleas, ticks and other bugs from him at an early age," said Keck. "Insects are great teaching tools, and you can learn a lot about other living things by studying them."

Keck joined Texas Cooperative Extension in Bexar County on March 21 as an integrated pest management program specialist. As such, she is responsible for Extension's urban pest management education and outreach programs in the metropolitan San Antonio area.

"Molly's role will be to increase awareness about pest control in an urban setting with an emphasis on fire ants and household pests," said Dr. Tom Fuchs, Extension integrated pest management coordinator at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in San Angelo. "In this capacity, she will educate people on ways to manage pests and, at the same time, maintain the quality of the environment."

Keck, a graduate of Clark High School here, earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and entomology and a master of science degree in entomology from Texas A&M University.

"I focused on urban entomology during my studies," she said. "I chose entomology because pest problems affect so many people in the U.S. and other countries, especially where disease is transmitted by mosquitoes."

As part of her pest management activities, Keck will provide technical expertise on pest management primarily community and residential settings.

"Educating people about insects will be a big part of my job," she said. "For example, it's important that people understand the difference between a good insect and a bad insect, because many insects help keep the really harmful ones away."

Part of her education effort will involve the proper use of chemicals for pest management.

"While using chemicals for pest management is often necessary, people can often protect themselves and their homes without using them or by using them more efficiently," she said. "Sometimes minor home maintenance adjustment like caulking cracks or putting up screens can be very effective in keeping insects out."

She added that Extension's fire ant control activities provide a means for neighborhood residents to work together to curb ant activity and ensure the proper chemical use.

For more information on Extension's integrated pest management efforts, call Keck at 210-467-6575.

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Molly Keck is the new integrated pest management program specialist for Texas Cooperative Extension in Bexar County. (Texas Cooperative Extension photo by Paul Schattenberg)

Date: 4/21/05