ICUP EUROPE 2028: The premier international stage for urban pest management

ICUP EUROPE 2028 is the leading international congress where science, policy, and practice meet. From Sunday, 18 June to Wednesday, 21 June 2028, the Netherlands will become a global hub for knowledge, innovation, and collaboration in urban pest management.

More than 250 delegates representing over 25 countries are expected to attend, with more than 60 original scientific presentations and posters on urban pests. The Netherlands is home to a wide range of research institutes and professional groups active in this field, and ICUP EUROPE 2028 will connect them with the international ICUP community and daily practitioners.

Thinking together, solving together

ICUP EUROPE 2028 places a strong emphasis on dialogue between science and practice. Participants will be invited to submit practical challenges and questions from their daily work in advance.

• Practitioners can ask researchers which scientific insights should be applied more effectively in the field, or how a specific problem might best be solved.
• Researchers can ask practitioners how scientific findings can be implemented effectively in real-world situations.

These questions will form the basis of collective brainstorming sessions in which knowledge, experience, and different perspectives are combined. Structured approaches such as the Walt Disney Method—using the roles of Dreamer, Realist, and Critic—will support practical co-creation between science and practice.

The Dutch approach and IPM

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plays a crucial role in the Netherlands. Since 2023, the use of chemical methods for mouse and rat control has been restricted for the general public, while Dutch professionals have made significant progress in resolving pest problems without chemicals. The government is also working with stakeholders to extend IPM principles to insect control.

The Dutch tradition of solving problems collectively is often called the Polder Model. ICUP EUROPE 2028 brings this principle to the conference by inviting people from practice, science, policy, and animal welfare to challenge one another and collaborate on shared issues.

The coordinating organisers—Dr. Joeke Nijboer, Alex Mars, and Maite van Gerwen—already demonstrate how different professional perspectives can work together successfully. This approach will be extended to all attendees.

Future and innovation

Smart cities, big data, and artificial intelligence offer new opportunities to predict and manage urban pest issues. ICUP EUROPE 2028 will explore how potential problem areas can be identified before infestations occur, while maintaining high scientific standards through presentations, posters, interactive concepts, and active participation.

Building the future together

ICUP EUROPE 2028 will be more than a conference. It will be a meeting point, a think tank, and a collaborative environment where international and Dutch professionals work together on sustainable solutions for urban pest problems—today and tomorrow.

Explore the programme or learn about participation and sponsorship opportunities.