Delaware Ornamental and Turf Bundle - Vertebrate Pest Control
This course bundle is geared toward the ornamental and turf commercial applicator with an emphasis on vertebrate pest management. The course bundle contains 8 credits of category 03 training. Click on course details for a full list of courses.
PACKAGE CONTENTS:
- Mole Management – 1 credit
- Ornamental Pesticide Application Equipment and Calibration – 1 credit
- Skunks: $mell the $uccess – 1 credit
- Control and Management of Unprotected Birds – 1 credit
- Management of Pocket Gopher – 1 credit
- IPM Practices for Landscape Pest Management – 1 credit
- Pesticide Emergency Management and Environmental Protection – 1 credit
- Review of Pesticide Use Hazards – 1 credit
Mole Management
Course Description
Moles can be the bane of a well-kept lawn. But is it really a mole? Moles, voles, shrews, and pocket gopher damage can look the same to the untrained eye. This course covers the physiological differences between moles and other look-alike vertebrate pests, trapping techniques, and toxicant options.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Correctly identify mole damage.
- Distinguish the differences between moles, voles, shrews, and pocket gophers.
- Describe the different traps and toxicants available and when best to use each one.
Ornamental Pesticide Application Equipment and Calibration
Course Description
When pesticide applications become necessary for good ornamental plant management it’s important to understand how application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. Accurate measurement of the area to be treated or the number of plants to be treated and properly calibrated equipment are critical to successful control of the pest as well as staying within label requirements. This course will discuss the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on ornamental plants, the way to calculate the volume of solution needed, and how to properly calculate the flow rate of the equipment.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the different types of equipment used in pesticide applications
- Accurately calculate the square footage of irregular areas
- Accurately calibrate common application equipment
Skunks: $mell the $uccess
Course Description
Skunks used to be considered a very valuable animal, probably because they weren’t called skunks. They were called “Alaska Sable” or “Black Marten.” But when the Supreme Court insisted there be truth in advertising the demand for Alaska Sable plummeted. The desire to have a skunk residing on a client’s property doesn’t seem to have improved either. This course will discuss the lifecycle and biology of skunks, habitat modification to discourage skunks from taking up residence, trapping tips and techniques, the basics of rodenticide use, and the basics of euthanizing if allowable by law. It is important to be familiar with state and local laws regarding skunk management.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe common skunk behavior, habitat, and diet.
- Discuss the different methods and sets for efficient trapping of skunks.
- Describe the various methods of euthanizing.
Control & Management of Unprotected Birds
Course Description
Unwanted birds can pose a problem for applicators and their clients. Some people love to feed the birds and spend hours watching birds. Once birds have become established in an area they can be difficult to control or deter. Though this course will focus on the control and management of unprotected birds, some of the techniques covered will help with the management of protected birds when a permit is issued.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify birds not protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
- Discuss different forms of deterrents available and when best to use each method
- Discuss the different forms of toxicants and when they would be appropriate
Management of Pocket Gophers
Course Description
The site of a fresh mound of soil in an otherwise manicured lawn or alfalfa field can be enough to send a landowner into a tizzy. Pocket gophers can be devastating to both lawns and agricultural fields if they are not properly controlled. The damage caused by pocket gophers can sometimes be confused with either moles or ground squirrels. There are multiple control methods available to management pocket gophers. This course will cover the basics of pocket gopher management including biology, damage, trapping, and toxicant use.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Correctly identify the difference between molehills, ground squirrel mounds, and pocket gopher mounds.
- Describe the different types of toxicants labeled for pocket gopher management and the pros and cons to each.
- Locate the different parts of pocket gopher burrow systems and correctly place traps in each tunnel.
IPM Practices for Landscape Pest Management
Course Description
The Effective Pesticide Applications in Landscape and Turf Settings course emphasizes the benefits and important factors to keep in mind while establishing an integrated pest management (IPM) plan in Delaware. The course covers a variety of pest control methods, such as augmentation, cultural and mechanical control, sanitation, and pesticide use. The course also discusses liquid pesticide application equipment and calibration, techniques for administering granule pesticides, tree injection and implantation, and baits/traps.
Also included is guidance on equipment maintenance and determining the appropriate amount of pesticide to use.
By the end of this course, students will:
- Understand the different pest management approaches that comprise an IPM.
- Know the types of pesticide application equipment used in landscape, turf, and interiorscape settings.
- Be able to explain how to utilize granule pesticides, tree injection and implantation and baits/traps.
- Determine how to maintain and calibrate pesticide application equipment.
Pesticide Emergency Management and Environmental Protection
Course Description
Pesticides can be dangerous to people and the environment. Safe use practices help pest managers stay on top of potential hazards. This one-credit course is approved by the Delaware Department of Agriculture, covering emergency management and environmental protection for pesticide use.
Pest managers should always utilize a management plan when using pesticides, along with warning measures like signs and public notices. Of course, the safest way to use pesticides is not to use them at all — which is why this course discusses pesticide alternatives.
Safety begins with planning and ends long after cleanup. Careful chemical selection, equipment use, application techniques, cleanup, disposal, recordkeeping and liability ensure hazards are minimized. Safe storage, mixing and transportation of pesticides are possible with the help of service containers.
In case of an emergency, you need to know how to respond. Spills, leaks and even misapplications may occur. First aid techniques in this course will prepare you to treat exposure to clothing, skin, eyes and the respiratory system.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify pesticide safety measures to protect people and the environment from pesticide exposure.
- Describe appropriate ways to handle and apply pesticides.
- Recognize different types of pesticide emergencies and corresponding first aid measures.
- Explain how to handle pesticide emergencies such as leaks, spills and misapplications.
- Discuss effective equipment selection, safe application techniques and proper practices for cleanup and disposal.
Review of Pesticide Use Hazards
Course Description
When applied incorrectly, pesticides can be dangerous to humans, non-target organisms and the environment. This one-credit course contains crucial training on the toxicity and hazards of pesticides and is approved by the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Pest managers must be aware of the potential damage to the environment, wildlife and non-target organisms associated with pesticide use, including injury to pets, water contamination, phytotoxicity in plants and human exposure.
Become familiar with the three categories of toxicity, factors that influence toxicity, pesticide classification and designations based on function/targeted pests—all important tools in preventing hazardous pesticide exposure.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Explain pesticide toxicity and the different hazards of human pesticide exposure.
- Recognize strategies to minimize excessive pesticide exposure risk to pets, plants, and the environment.
- Describe the characteristics of various pesticide formulations.
- State the appropriate measures to take in case of pesticide accidents.