South Carolina Private Applicator 5 CEU Bundle - General

This course bundle is designed for the South Carolina Private Applicator. The course bundle contains 5 continuing education units (CEUs) of training approved by the South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation. Courses focus on general pesticide safety related topics. Please click on course details for a list of specific courses.

BUNDLE CONTENTS

• Application Equipment & Calibration – 1 CEU
• Identification and Control of Noxious Weeds – 1 CEU
• Pollinator Stewardship – 1 CEU
• Pesticides in the Environment – 1 CEU
• Pesticide Hazards and First Aid – 1 CEU

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. An 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

Identification & Control of Noxious Weeds

Course Description

Managing noxious weeds can be a tricky proposition. Applicators need to be aware of both the federal and state noxious weed lists and how that affects management tactics. This course covers several weeds on the federal noxious weeds list as well as other noxious weeds found throughout the southeastern United States.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

• Identify common noxious weeds the southeastern United States
• Recommend the proper treatment strategies for each noxious weed identified

Pollinator Stewardship

Course Description

Honey Bee Stewardship. The primary concern plaguing the beekeeping industry is the decline of honey bees around the world. Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is the leading cause behind this steady decline in honey bee numbers. There are a number of different factors affecting this decline. This course provides an outline of the best practices concerning honeybee stewardship.

Minimizing Pesticide Risk for Pollinators. Whether applying pesticides in the home garden or in a commercial setting, many of the chemical pesticides used to control insects, fungal disease, and even weeds can hurt non-target pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies. This section will ensure your ability to effectively and efficiently apply pesticides without harming beneficial insects.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

• Identify the factors that contribute to colony collapse disorder.
• Recognize the importance of beekeeper/grower communication.
• Describe the importance of pollinators in agriculture and why protecting native pollinators is of great concern.
• Outline the federal and state enforcement and compliance procedure as related to pollinator safety and alternatives to hard chemicals.

Pesticides in the Environment 

Course Description

Applicators and the public share concerns about how pesticides may harm the environment. Initially, hazards to humans were the primary reason the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided to classify a pesticide as a restricted-use product. Now, more and more pesticide labels list environmental effects (such as contamination of groundwater or toxicity to birds or aquatic organisms) as reasons for restriction. Anyone who uses a pesticide—indoors or outdoors, in a city or on a farm—must consider how that pesticide affects the environment.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

• Describe how pesticide applications can affect the environment.
• Explain how to prevent pesticide drift, runoff, and movement to nontarget areas.
• Discuss how to prevent pesticide residue accumulation associated with mixing, loading, and equipment washing.

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.