Professional Mosquito Management Certificate Program – Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education

Mosquito over water, viewed from a magnifying glass.

Certificate Program Overview

Designed by the Rutgers Center for Vector Biology (CVB) and coordinated by the NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education (OCPE), this new certificate in mosquito management includes three courses designed to meet the needs of government or private industry personnel involved in mosquito research, surveillance, and abatement.

Incorporating a science-based approach to mosquito control, stewardship of public health and the environment is a primary focus. Lectures will cover biology, morphology, ecology, and behavior of the Culicidae, along with the most current surveillance and control techniques.

The sessions will present information necessary for workers employed in mosquito abatement operations, however the information will also be of interest to entomologists, biologists, public health personnel and wetlands specialists.

Attendees can register for the classes individually should they wish to gain experience in any one discipline, however, those wishing to become certified will need to satisfactorily complete all three sections and pass a certification examination. Exams are administered through the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station per the guidance and requirements contained in N.J.A.C. 26.9.

Note: A certificate of completion will be issued for each course an attendee successfully completes. After an individual completes the three required courses, documentation of completion of the certificate program will also be issued. The following are detailed descriptions and agenda for each of the programs.

Certificate Program Requirements

Take all three of the classes listed below to earn the Professional Mosquito Management Certificate!

Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition

This comprehensive course will provide participants with a deep understanding of the biology and ecology of mosquitoes, as well as skills to identify and manage their habitats. It includes site visits for hands-on habitat identification, combining scientific understanding with real-world applications.

Topics covered in this course include:

Mosquito Biology and Ecology
Mosquito-borne Diseases
Mosquito Habitats Across NJ
History and Organization of Mosquito Control in NJ
Five Field Visits for Sampling and Habitat Identification

The next offering of this course is scheduled for January 6 – February 14, 2025. Register now!

Mosquito Surveillance and Management Strategies

This course will address the practical aspects of monitoring, managing, and controlling mosquito populations. It has been designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to implement effective surveillance programs and deploy various control strategies for mosquito-borne disease prevention.

Topics covered in this course include:

Mosquito Surveillance Techniques
Pathogen Surveillance in Mosquitoes
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Mosquito Control Strategies

The next offering of this course is scheduled for November 10 – December 19, 2025. Register now!

Mosquito Identification: Focus on the Northeastern US

This four-day, hands-on course is designed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to identify mosquito species prevalent in the region using taxonomic keys. Understanding local mosquito populations is essential for effective surveillance and control strategies.

Topics covered in this course include:

Bridges Introduction to Mosquito Diversity
Mosquito Anatomy and Morphology
Introduction to Taxonomic Keys and Advanced Taxonomic Key Techniques
Hands-on Identification

The next offering of this course is scheduled for January 13 – 16, 2026. Register now!

Certificate Program Instructors

Faculty and Staff from the Rutgers Center for Vector Biology will teach all three of the Professional Mosquito Management Certificate Program courses.