South Carolina Category 7A Commercial Applicator 20 CEU Bundle - Structural Pest Control

This course bundle is designed for the South Carolina Commercial Applicator. The course bundle contains 20 continuing education units (CEUs) of training approved by the South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation. Courses focus on structural pest control and pesticide safety related topics. Please click on course details for a list of specific courses.

BUNDLE CONTENTS

Category 7A

  • Bed Bugs: Overview and Management – 2 CEUs
  • IPM for Termite Prevention – 1 CEU
  • General Structural Pest Control – 3 CEUs
  • Rodents and Other Vertebrate Pest Management – 2 CEUs
  • Structure Infesting Pest Management – 3 CEUs
  • Structure Invading Pest Management – 3 CEUs

Pesticide Safety (Core)

  • Respiratory Protection – 1 CEU
  • Cage Trapping Techniques – 3 CEUs
  • German Cockroach Control – 1 CEU
  • History of Integrated Pest Management – 1 CEU

 


Bed Bugs: Overview and Management

Course Description

Most people visibly cringe when they hear the words “bed bugs”. Structural applicators know that managing a bed bug infestation is difficult on many levels. This course looks at the history of bed bugs, current integrated pest management approaches to preventing and managing an infestation, and several of the chemical options available when your non-chemical controls and methods have failed.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

  • Speak confidently to clients and residents concerning chemical and non-chemical controls.
  • Accurately differentiate between bed bugs and bat bugs.
  • Positively identify the signs of a bed bug infestation.

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.

General Structural Pest Management

Course Description

As certified or licensed professionals we have legal responsibilities that we must fulfill in every job that we do. Not only do have to control pests, but we also have to do the paperwork and legwork that documents our applications. These are very important steps in the process of pest control, and following through is a must for any successful business.

As certified or licensed applicators it is so important that you can trust everyone on your team to be knowledgeable about their duties, and responsible for protecting your customers, the environment and your business. A solid basic training program for all technicians will help you work safer and more efficiently.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

  • Identify and calibrate different types of application equipment
  • Identify different common structural pests
  • Describe how to implement integrated pest management in structural situations
  • Outline the special considerations needed for specialized facilities
  • Outline the key pests and pest hot spots for specialized facilities

Rodents and Other Vertebrate Pest Management

Course Description

An animal with a backbone or spinal column is called a vertebrate. A few vertebrates, such as rats and mice, are common pests in urban and industrial areas. Others are not pests in their normal habitats but may occasionally become pests when they conflict with humans. Public concern for the welfare of animals and the risk to people, pets, and other non-targets from poisons used to kill vertebrates have made rules governing vertebrate pest control particularly strict. Laws and regulations at the state and local levels may be much more restrictive than federal regulations. Be sure you understand all the regulations that apply in your geographic area before attempting to control vertebrate pests.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

  • Describe the life-cycle, inspection process, and health concerns commonly associated with vertebrate pests
  • Distinguish the different types of lethal and non-lethal options for managing vertebrate pests
  • Describe the various types of traps and baits used to control vertebrate pests

Structure Infesting Pest Management

Course Description

Having a clear understanding of the hierarchy of insect classification is important. It helps us better understand the background of our pest decide the best course of action in controlling the pest. This course will cover some of the structure infesting pests commonly encountered by structural pesticide applicators and technicians.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

  • Describe the different stages of insect growth, development and metamorphosis
  • Distinguish the different types of cockroaches and discuss effective management options
  • Distinguish ants and termites and discuss effective management options for ants
  • Distinguish the different types of stored product and fabric pests and discuss effective management options
  • Describe the difference between silverfish and firebrats
  • Describe the different types of fleas and discuss effective management options for each

Structure Invading Pest Management

Course Description

As a pest control technician, it’s important to be familiar with the pests in the region as well as where they reproduce. Some pests like honeybees and spiders will generally live and reproduce outside but will also invade a structure if it finds a suitable living area. In some cases, it is difficult to determine if the designated living space is inside or outside. This course covers the identification and management of pests that generally live outside but will invade a structure if the conditions are favorable.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

  • Identify common flying pests, describe their life cycle, and describe proper pest management procedures
  • Identify common spiders, describe the habitat and life cycles, and describe proper management procedures
  • Differentiate and identify common types of ticks, lice, and mites
  • Identify which types of ticks, lice, and mites carry disease
  • Identify miscellaneous structural invaders and describe proper management procedures

Structure Invading Pest Management

Course Description

As a pest control technician, it’s important to be familiar with the pests in the region as well as where they reproduce. Some pests like honeybees and spiders will generally live and reproduce outside but will also invade a structure if it finds a suitable living area. In some cases, it is difficult to determine if the designated living space is inside or outside. This course covers the identification and management of pests that generally live outside but will invade a structure if the conditions are favorable.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

  • Identify common flying pests, describe their life cycle, and describe proper pest management procedures
  • Identify common spiders, describe the habitat and life cycles, and describe proper management procedures
  • Differentiate and identify common types of ticks, lice, and mites
  • Identify which types of ticks, lice, and mites carry disease
  • Identify miscellaneous structural invaders and describe proper management procedures

Respiratory Protection

Course Description

Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, diseases, or death. Some pesticide labels require the use of a respirator as part of the personal protective equipment. This course outlines the types of respirators available, proper fit, and inspection/maintenance requirements.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

  • Discuss the different types of respirators and when to use each type
  • Describe the steps of a successful fit test
  • Outline the necessary care and maintenance required for each type of respirator

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.

German Cockroach Control

Course Description

German cockroaches can be a difficult pest to control. The temptation for most pest control operators is to reach for the pesticide right away, but there is much more involved in controlling a German cockroach infestation. This class will focus on an eco-friendly approach to German roach control strategies in the most difficult environments.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

  • Describe German cockroach anatomy, biology, and preferred environment.
  • Outline common management tactics.
  • Describe the pesticides commonly used to control German cockroaches.

History of Integrated Pest Management

Course Description

What is integrated pest management? The reality is nobody can agree on what integrated pest management is. This course will cover what IPM is and what isn’t and how to be practical about IPM strategies. There is economic viability, the environmental safety of IPM, and social acceptability. As pest control professionals we have a huge responsibility to protect the entire environment. We’re responsible for protecting people, their pets, their property, the plants that they install and, ultimately, the planet from pests with the responsible use of pesticides. That is where IPM comes in.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

  • Outline the principles of integrated pest management
  • Identify common reasons why a pesticide application may fail