Menu
Log in


ontario parks association

Protecting Tomorrow Today®

  • Home
  • Natural Insect Control Workshop

Natural Insect pest control workshop

Instructed By: 

 John Robertson

Stacey Hickman

Natural Insect Pest Control Workshop


This workshop will provide an overview and understanding on how beneficials insects & nematodes work. When and where best to apply them to get optimal results. Participants will learn about trap & lure systems particularly how pheromones work as a mating disruption tool, and large-scale mosquito larvae controls. 


The positive effects of introducing natural endemic predators, who can become established in the environment and offer on going pest prevention. The benefits of companion planting, bird houses, creating buffer zones & bee-friendly by ways within your city. How to keep the bad guys out of and the good guys in your community garden spaceThis workshop is ideal for those who are ready to take a new look at pest control, we will teach you how to use nature to combat nature.


This workshop will cover three modules:

1. Outdoor spaces: public parks, nurseries, cemeteries, arboretum

2. Community gardens: solitary pollinators, managing garden pests naturally finding the balance 

3. Indoor spaces:  green houses, tropical gardens



Common tree pests that we will be discussing include:

 Aphids / Spider mites / Leaf hoppers


Common Pests of Public Gardens/Cemeteries

Aphids / Spider Mites / Thrips/ Japanese Beetles / Boxwood tree moth


Common Pest of Community Gardens

Aphids / Caterpillars / Japanese Beetles


New Invasive Insects to Watch out for: 

Spotted lanternfly / Spotted wing drosophila




Note: This course is provided in a half-day online workshop. 

    This course is worth 0.5 credit towards your Parks Practitioner Designation.

    About Stacey:

    As NIC’s head Entomologist, Stacey has been instrumental in designing personalized IPM programs for a variety of greenhouse crops throughout the Niagara region. Stacey liaisons directly with indoor and outdoor growers on a regular basis, to keep abreast of what is going on with their crops and in the industry. When Stacey is not looking at, or working with insects she can happily be found with a book in her hands for a n introductory course on beneficial insects.

    About John:

    After 20 years living on the west coast of Canada where John was a trained paramedic and a volunteer fire-fighter in Vancouver and Whistler BC respectively. He returned to the Niagara region to join his sister Susan in taking over the family business, Natural Insect Control.

    For the past three years John has been actively involved in trying to introduce solitary bees (Mason and Leafcutter Bees) as an alternative pollination provider for both commercial and home use. As well as trying to find natural solutions towards invasive pests. John enjoys nothing more than sharing his love of nature and how it all fits together.

    Upcoming events

      • 20 Mar 2025
      • 9:00 AM
      • 21 Mar 2025
      • 12:30 PM
      • Online
      • 19
      Register

      Reg is our new turf expert he is an experienced turf management professional with over 20 years in golf course management, landscape operations, lawn care, and the parks industry. He holds a Golf Course Technician Diploma from Seneca College and an Advanced Golf Course Management certification from The Ohio State University.

      Reg was employed as Supervisor, Parks Operations at the City of Mississauga, where he oversaw turf care operations, including both seed and fertilizer contracts, ensuring the highest quality turf in public parks and recreational spaces. Additionally, he held the portfolios for Turf and Sports Fields, leading initiatives to improve field conditions, optimize resources, and promote sustainability.


      This course will cover: 

      • Challenges, Issues & Trends

      • Benefits of Grass & Sports Turf

      • Soil Types, Functions & Drainage

      • Characteristics & Selection of Grasses

      • Fertilizers & Nutrient Management

      • Cultural & Maintenance Best Practices

      • Plant Health Care & Integrated Pest Management

      • Irrigation & Water Management

      • Overview of Common Sports Facilities

      • Weather & Outdoor Sports

      • Risk Management

      • Equipment Maintenance


      OPA is excited to offer this course online, as a 2 day webinar series! Day 1 will run from 9:00am-12:00pm, and Day 2 will run from 9:00am-12:30pm, allowing 30 minutes at the end of the workshop for you to complete a 30 minute test.


      DATE: March 20th and March 21st, 2025

      Day 1 March 20th - 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

      Day 2 March 21st - 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM to allow for a 30 minute test at the end of the course.

      LOCATION: Online - Zoom (no account or download required)


      COURSE COST

      OPA Member: $255.00

      OPA Potential Member: $356.00


      This course counts as 1 credit towards the Parks Practitioner Designation.


      Register below online. An invoice will be sent to you within 24hrs of registering. Payment can be made online through the invoice you will receive or via cheque (made payable to Ontario Parks Association).


      • 23 Oct 2025
      • 9:00 AM
      • 24 Oct 2025
      • 12:30 PM
      • Online
      • 30
      Register

      Reg is our new turf expert he is an experienced turf management professional with over 20 years in golf course management, landscape operations, lawn care, and the parks industry. He holds a Golf Course Technician Diploma from Seneca College and an Advanced Golf Course Management certification from The Ohio State University.

      Reg was employed as Supervisor, Parks Operations at the City of Mississauga, where he oversaw turf care operations, including both seed and fertilizer contracts, ensuring the highest quality turf in public parks and recreational spaces. Additionally, he held the portfolios for Turf and Sports Fields, leading initiatives to improve field conditions, optimize resources, and promote sustainability.


      This course will cover: 

      • Challenges, Issues & Trends

      • Benefits of Grass & Sports Turf

      • Soil Types, Functions & Drainage

      • Characteristics & Selection of Grasses

      • Fertilizers & Nutrient Management

      • Cultural & Maintenance Best Practices

      • Plant Health Care & Integrated Pest Management

      • Irrigation & Water Management

      • Overview of Common Sports Facilities

      • Weather & Outdoor Sports

      • Risk Management

      • Equipment Maintenance


      OPA is excited to offer this course online, as a 2 day webinar series! Day 1 will run from 9:00am-12:00pm, and Day 2 will run from 9:00am-12:30pm, allowing 30 minutes at the end of the workshop for you to complete a 30 minute test.


      DATE: October 23rd and October 24th, 2025

      Day 1 October 23rd - 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

      Day 2 October 24th - 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM to allow for a 30 minute test at the end of the course.

      LOCATION: Online - Zoom (no account or download required)


      COURSE COST

      OPA Member: $255.00

      OPA Potential Member: $356.00


      This course counts as 1 credit towards the Parks Practitioner Designation.


      Register below online. An invoice will be sent to you within 24hrs of registering. Payment can be made online through the invoice you will receive or via cheque (made payable to Ontario Parks Association).


    For more information on hosting or attending, please send an email referencing the course title to training@ontarioparksassociation.ca
    Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software