Dr. William "Bill" Kern
Associate Professor
Africanized Honey Bees and Urban Pest Management
Dr. Bill Kern is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology & Nematology at the Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center of the University of Florida. He served as an Assistant Extension Scientist (Central Florida Wildlife Extension Specialist) with the Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, University of Florida from 1993 until 2000. He served as an Assistant Professor (2000-2007), and Associate Professor (2007- present) in the Department of Entomology & Nematology at the Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center. His areas of expertise are Urban Entomology, Africanized Honey Bee Management, Vertebrate Pest Management, Nuisance Wildlife Management, and Medical / Veterinary Entomology.
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Research
Research: Africanized Honey Bees
Dr. Kern and his students have been primarily studying ways to prevent Africanized honey bees from usurping nest cavities of birds and protecting outdoor workers from defensive honey bee colonies.
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Teaching
Teaching:
Dr. Kern teaches
- ENY 4161C Insect Classification / ENY 6166 Graduate Survey of Insect Classification every spring semester at FLREC, Davie,
- ENY-4221 Termite Biology and Control / ENY 6248 Graduate Survey of Termite Biology And Control odd number years during Summer C at FLREC, Davie,
- ENY 3005L Principles of Entomology Lab / ENY 5006L Graduate Survey of Principles of Entomology Lab every fall semester at FLREC, Davie,
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Extension
Extension: Apiculture Education, Africanized Honey Bee Safety Training, and Urban Pest Management
Apiculture Education - Improving the success of beekeepers through education outreach.
- Florida Bee College in Marineland, FL in March
- South Florida Bee College in Davie, FL in August
- Caribbean Bee College that is offered on different islands in cooperation with local beekeeping organizations and academic institutions
- Beekeeping in the Panhandle Program and Trade Show
- Florida Master Beekeeper Program
Africanized Honey Bee Safety Training for outdoor and agricultural workers and First-responder Training for honey bee emergencies.
Urban Pest Management - Improving the professionalism of the Pest Management Industry through programs like the University of Florida School of Structural Fumigation and programs at the Florida A&M University Pest Control Field Days, the Southeast Pest Management Conference, and industry and association sponsored training. Dr. Kern provides training in urban entomology (termites, fumigation, ants, stored product pests, blood feeding pests,and occasional invaders), vertebrate pest management and nuisance wildlife management.
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Education
- Ph.D. Entomology and Zoology University of Florida 1993
- M.A. Life Science, Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. 1984
- B.S. Life Science and Chemistry, Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. 1979
- Publications