California Applicator Complete 12 Credit Bundle
This course bundle is designed for the structural applicator in California. All courses are approved by the SPCB. Credits include 4 credits of rules and regulations, 6 credits of Pesticide Application and Use (PAU), and 2 credits of IPM training. Please click on course details for a detailed list of courses.
BUNDLE CONTENTS
Rules and Regulations training
- Pesticide Formulations – 1 hour
- Pesticide Hazards and First Aid – 1 hour
- Reading the Pesticide Label: Beyond the Basics – 2 hours
Pesticide Application and Use training
- Cage Trapping Techniques – 3 hours
- Disease Management in Enclosed Spaces – 2 hours
- Mosquito Management and Control – 1 hour (and 1 hour IPM)
IPM training
- IPM for Termite Prevention – 1 hour
- Mosquito Management and Control – 1 hour (and 1 hour PAU)
Pesticide Formulations
Course Description
A pesticide formulation is a combination of active and inert ingredients that form an end-use pesticide product. Pesticides are formulated to make them safer or easier to use. There are many formulations available for various pest control sites and situations, and it is important that applicators choose the best one for the job.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Explain why pesticides are formulated for end use.
- List the factors to consider when choosing a formulation for a specific site or situation.
- Discuss the properties of common formulations.
Pesticide Hazards and First Aid
Course Description
Pesticides are designed to be toxic to living organisms so they can control pests (e.g., plants, insects, rodents,
fungi, and bacteria). At the same time, pesticides must be used with special care to avoid harming nontarget organisms, including pesticide applicators, handlers, and anyone else exposed to the product. Pesticides can have both short-term
and long-term effects on humans. As a result, pesticide users need to be concerned with the hazards associated
with exposure to the chemical and not exclusively with the toxicity of the pesticide.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify common exposure routes for various pesticides and application methods.
- Discuss the appropriate first aid response to oral, ocular, dermal, and inhalation exposures to pesticides.
- Explain the hazard level classification system for pesticides, including the corresponding signal words.
Reading the Pesticide Label: Beyond the Basics
Course Description
This training will cover many sections of a pesticide label and safety data sheets. Labels are increasing in complexity and depth of information. It is never suggested that anyone try to memorize a pesticide label. By reviewing parts of a label and recognizing label language and use, we hope that you feel more comfortable with the information on pesticide labels and feel confident in understanding the information the present. Many examples of labels are used in this training that cover a variety of types of pesticides and also represent a variety of sites. It’s essential that we look at REAL label language and not simply make generic statements to evaluate.
There is no endorsement for any company or product by representation of information in this training. All material presented is for educational purposes only and is not intended to purposefully include or exclude any company, tradename, product, use, proprietary, or any other information. Whenever you have questions about interpretations of label language, we encourage you to contact your local extension, land-grant university, department of agriculture, product dealer, or the manufacturer for more information.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Discuss different types of pesticide registrations.
- Identify where to find specific information on the pesticide label.
- Identify pests and site usage according to the label, and recognize information on safety data sheets.
Cage Trapping Techniques
Course Description
Cage and box traps play an important role in the management of vertebrate pests in urban and suburban environments. These devices capture animals by imprisoning them in a wire cage or box with solid walls. Their simple construction and perceived humaneness lead many to mistakenly believe that these devices require little training to master. This course will review the differences between cage and box traps and how to use those differences to achieve control goals. Likewise, students will learn the three main trapping sets, effective baits, safe and humane use of the traps, and how to reduce non-target captures. After this class, you will never see cage/box trapping in the same way again.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify the parts of cage and box traps.
- Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different features in cage/box traps and how retail traps differ from commercial traps.
- Know foundational ways to use cage/box traps to improve capture efficacy and improve humaneness.
- Understand the importance of disease safety for both the wildlife control operator and the client.
Disease Management in Enclosed Spaces
Course Description
Disease management in an enclosed space poses a unique set of issues that must be addressed when controlling pests and disease. Safety for personnel is a key issue as well, as exposure to pesticides is increased. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management in this unique space, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully control the environment.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of the issues involved in controlling pests and disease in an enclosed space.
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the unique needs of an enclosed space environment.
Mosquito Management & Control
Course Description
Mosquito management is a daunting task for many applicators. When done correctly, outdoor areas such as parks and neighborhood common areas can be a perfect place for people to relax. When mosquito management is done incorrectly or isn’t done at all, mosquitoes can make public spaces unusable. This course will discuss common methods of mosquito controls, everything from physical controls, to pesticides, to record keeping, all as part of a solid integrated pest management approach to mosquito control.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Discuss the different types of control methods for managing mosquito populations.
- Discuss the different types of insecticides available for both larval and adult control of mosquitoes.
- Identify and describe the different kinds of equipment commonly used for mosquito control pesticide applications.
- Discuss several ways to evaluate the efficacy of the different mosquito control methods implemented.
IPM for Termite Prevention
Course Description
Termites are one of the most destructive pests in the United States. They are responsible for more than 2 million dollars in damage each year. In many states, building codes require the use of liquid termiticide when constructing new structures. But there are several common-sense IPM practices that can be implemented to make a structure less inviting to termites from the start. This course will provide a review of IPM principles, termite biology, and several solid IPM practices to make any structure less attractive to termites.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Explain the principles of Integrated Pest Management and how they apply to termite prevention.
- Describe the life cycle of a termite and be familiar with termite behavior.
- Recommend several IPM practices that can reduce the risk of a structure being invaded by termites.