Top
Paragon Pest Control Paragon Pest Control
Proudly Serving Grand Prairie & the DFW Metroplex
Request A Free Inspection 972-449-4233

Honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month: Leaders Who Shaped Pest Science

|

Honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month: Leaders Who Shaped Pest Science

Every September 15 to October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month gives us the chance to recognize the lasting contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. At Paragon Pest Control, we know that innovation in pest science comes from many voices and perspectives, and this month we’re highlighting four figures whose work continues to influence the way we protect homes and families in Dallas–Fort Worth.

From the classroom to the research lab, these individuals advanced our understanding of insect behavior, resistance, and management. Their stories remind us that science is not only about solving problems. It’s about inspiring future generations to keep building on that knowledge.

Elsa Salazar Cade

Educator and Entomologist

  • Background: A Mexican American science teacher and entomologist from Texas, Elsa Salazar Cade has devoted her career to making science accessible and exciting for students. She also conducted long-term research on field crickets with her husband.
  • Impact: By bringing entomology into the classroom, Cade encouraged young people to see insects not just as pests, but as part of the environment we share.
  • Connection to pest control: Her work underscores the importance of understanding insect behavior—knowledge that underpins everything from pest prevention to responsible treatment.

Dr. Leonila Vázquez García

Trailblazing Mexican Entomologist

  • Background: One of Mexico’s earliest women entomologists, Dr. Vázquez García spent decades teaching and researching at UNAM, with studies ranging from butterflies to the cochineal insect.
  • Impact: She laid vital groundwork in insect taxonomy and ecology, building a stronger foundation for the generations of scientists who followed.
  • Connection to pest control: By documenting how species interact with their environments, her research helped separate beneficial insects from pests, a distinction that guides every integrated pest management program today.

Dr. Adriana Elizabeth Flores Suárez

Vector Control Specialist

  • Background: A leading researcher on Aedes aegypti, Dr. Flores Suárez focuses on insecticide resistance and genetic tracking of mosquito populations.
  • Impact: Her findings directly affect how communities worldwide prepare for and combat mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and Zika.
  • Connection to pest control: Here in Texas, mosquitoes are one of the most persistent seasonal pests. Her research informs the safe, sustainable strategies companies like ours use to protect families from these disease-spreading insects.

Dr. Walther Enkerlin

Pioneer of Sterile Insect Technique

  • Background: Dr. Enkerlin has been at the forefront of large-scale pest control programs, helping refine sterile insect technique (SIT) to suppress invasive and destructive pests, especially fruit flies.
  • Impact: His work has protected crops across the Americas, safeguarding food security while reducing reliance on heavy pesticide use.
  • Connection to pest control: SIT and other integrated approaches continue to shape modern pest management, offering models for environmentally friendly ways to keep pest populations in check.

Carrying Their Work Forward

Each of these innovators has made a mark not just on science, but on the communities their work protects. At Paragon Pest Control, we take inspiration from their dedication, weaving their legacy into the way we serve families and businesses every day.

By celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, we also celebrate the rich diversity that makes North Texas strong and recommit ourselves to protecting the homes, health, and traditions that matter most.