Idaho Private Applicator 7 Credit Bundle
This course bundle is designed for private applicators and contains 7 credits of continuing education focused on pesticide safety. All courses are approved by the Idaho Department of Agriculture. Please click on course details for a list of specific courses.
BUNDLE CONTENTS:
- Application Equipment and Calibration – 1 credit
- Pesticide Emergency Management and Environmental Protection – 1 credit
- Common Ornamental Plant Pests – 3 credits
- Review of Pesticide Use Hazards – 1 credit
- IPM Practices for Landscape Pest Management – 1 credit
Application Equipment and Calibration
Course Description
When pesticide applications become necessary for good turf 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 and properly calibrated equipment are critical to applying pesticides within an acceptable range of the label requirements. This course will discuss the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on turf, the way to calculate the area of an irregularly shaped space, 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
Pesticide Emergency Management and Environmental Protection
Course Description
Approved by the Idaho Department of Agriculture, this one-credit course guides pest managers through the safe use and legal handling of pesticides.
Safe pesticide use starts with planning. Select the right service containers to store, transport, and mix chemicals. Care in chemical selection, equipment use, application techniques, cleanup, disposal, recordkeeping and liability keeps exposure risk to a minimum.
The best way to avoid exposure is to avoid using toxic pesticides at all. Safer alternatives are discussed. When pesticides are needed, preparatory tools like management plans, advance notification and public warning signs become essential safety tools.
This course also covers effective emergency response for misapplications, leaks and spills. Exposure to skin, eyes, the respiratory system or even clothing may require first aid. Learn how to act to remedy common exposure hazards and minimize injury.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify pesticide safety measures to protect people and the environment from pesticide exposure.
- Discuss effective equipment selection, safe application techniques and proper practices for cleanup and disposal.
- 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.
Common Ornamental Plant Pests
Course Description
Pest management of ornamental plants involves multiple steps from growing a healthy plant that is more resistant to pest damage to correctly identifying the problem when present. This course will cover the most common pests of ornamental plants.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify common landscape weeks and outline how to manage them.
- Identify common plant disorders and identify how to avoid them in the future.
- Identify common plant diseases and outline how to manage them.
- Describe nematode damage and explain why sampling prior to planting is important.
- Identify common vertebrate and invertebrate pests and outline the best management strategy for each.
Review of Pesticide Use Hazards
Course Description
This Idaho Department of Agriculture-approved course provides one credit of instruction on the toxic properties of pesticides. Used incorrectly, these chemicals are toxic substances that can endanger the environment, humans and wildlife. This course contains crucial training on classifications and hazards of various pesticides.
Human exposure, injury to pets, water contamination, phytotoxicity in plants and other effects on non-target organisms may result from improper understanding and use of pesticides. Pest managers must understand and carefully use the pesticides at their disposal to avoid dangerous accidents.
To better protect against toxic pesticide hazards, learn the three categories of toxicity, the factors that influence pesticide toxicity and the designation of pesticides based on the pests they are designed to control.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the characteristics of various pesticide formulations.
- 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.
- State appropriate measures to take in case of pesticide accidents.
IPM Practices for Landscape Pest Management
Course Description
This course discusses the benefits and considerations for developing an integrated pest management (IPM) program. This course covers a variety of methods for pest management, such as augmentation, mechanical and cultural control, sanitation, and the use of pesticides. In addition, this course includes information concerning liquid pesticide application equipment and equipment calibration, as well as application methods for granule pesticides, tree injection and implantation, and baits/traps. This course also explains how to properly maintain pesticide application equipment and determine the amount of pesticide needed based on area size and type of pesticide.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- List the different approaches to pest management that comprise an IPM.
- Discuss types of pesticide application equipment used in landscape, turf, and interiorscape settings.
- Explain how to utilize granule pesticides, tree injection and implantation, and baits/traps.
- Determine how to maintain and calibrate pesticide application equipment.