Michigan Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education

1 credit: 3A, Commercial Core, or Private Core
When pesticide applications become necessary for good turf management, it’s important to understand how the application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. This course will provide turf managers with an understanding of the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on turf and how to properly calibrate the equipment.

3 credits: 5
Aquatic ecosystems are extremely complex and fragile. This course covers the many aspects necessary for managing aquatic pests, from site evaluation and pest identification to pesticide application and treatment evaluation. Risk communication strategies are included, along with a variety of control methods in addition to aquatic pesticides.

1 credit: 7A, 7D
The site of a bat hanging around a structure can be unnerving to most clients. Finding one inside a home is even more unsettling and can send the homeowner into a panic. This course will talk about the identification of bat issues, fundamentals of bat control, and a few health issues that can be quite costly for wildlife control operators and clients.

1 credit: 7A, 08
Bed bugs are a common and difficult household pest that can be linked to a number of health effects such as psychological issues, cutaneous reactions, allergic reactions, anemia, and potential disease transmission. This course outlines various management methods for bed bug control and treatment as well as common symptoms and signs of health effects caused by the presence of bed bugs.

1 credit: 3A, Commercial Core, or Private Core
Proper application of pesticides and fertilizers on turfgrass is only possible with accurately calibrated equipment. These lessons discuss the calibration of three types of application equipment: handheld or back-pack pump-up sprayers, large acreage sprayers, and fertilizer or “dry-granular” spreaders as well as several different calibration techniques.

3 credits: 02, 3B or Private CORE
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.

3 credits: 7A, 7B, 7D, 7F
This online video course teaches pest managers in Michigan how to control interior and exterior pests that can infect people and damage property.

1 credit: 3A
Managing weeds in a turf stand can be a tricky proposition. Often times the client fails to recognize that the presence of weeds in a turf stand is the result of poor turf, not the cause. This course will provide applicators with a working knowledge of weed biology, weed identification, and how herbicides work.

1 credit: 7A or 7D
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.

4 credits: 5 or Commercial Core
This course discusses managing pests in aquatic environments. It contains extensive plant identification, discussing common weed types and species. Other pests, such as insects or birds, are also covered. In addition, this course explains a variety of control methods, outlining how to use pesticides safely and the necessary first aid for any exposure. Finally, calibration of equipment is explained and example scenarios are explored.

1 credit: 3A
Turf responds best to consistent cultural practices including mowing, irrigating, and fertilizing. But as turf managers know, there is a right way and a wrong way to do these. This course covers the dos and don’ts of good cultural practices that will result in a healthy vigorous turf that will be enjoyed for years.

2 credits: 7E, Commercial Core
Michigan pesticide applicators can take this course to get a thorough review of pest management for interior plant environments. Topics covered include pesticide safety protocols, Integrated Pest Management strategies, and methods for fostering indoor plant health.

1 credit: 7D 
This topic, while not often talked about, is something that everyone in wildlife control has to deal with. It is one of those unmentionables, but we need to talk about it in detail because it’s something you’re going to need to encounter if you’re going to be a full-fledged wildlife control operator. This course will cover methods for euthanizing animals, ways to dispose of the deceased animal, and pitfalls to avoid to maintain public relations and appearance.

5 credits: 1A, or Private Core
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food, feed, and fiber productions; and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of field crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest invasions while protecting themselves and the environment from the adverse effects of pesticides.

4 credits: 02, 3B, Commercial Core, or Private Core
This course discusses integrated strategies for pest management within Michigan forests. Lessons explain how to minimize pesticide’s impact on water sources, protect non-target organisms, and manage pesticide resistance. Other topics covered include weed control, sprayer components, various application methods, and more.

2 credits: 02, 3B, FUM, Commercial Core, or Private Core
This course teaches pest control professionals how to manage pests found in Michigan forests safely. Lessons discuss integrated pest management strategies for protecting water sources, forestry herbicide types, greenhouse plant fumigation, and more.

3 credits: 7A or Commercial Core
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. This course reviews the basics of general structural pest management.

2 credits: 7F
To effectively manage a mosquito population as part of an integrated pest management plan applicators must be familiar with mosquito physiology, the lifecycle of the mosquito, and various collection and surveillance methods for both adult mosquitoes and larvae. This course will talk about surveillance methods, mosquito anatomy, and touch on the diseases that are most commonly vectored by mosquitoes in the United States.

1 credit: 3B or Private Core
IPM of ornamental plants involves multiple steps; producing a healthy plant, correctly identifying the problem, recognizing that there will always be some pests and damage, and only using pesticides as a last resort. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for ornamental plants, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully provide your clients with a healthy and attractive landscape.

1 credit: 7B
Termites are one of the most destructive pests in the United States. 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 IPM practices to make any structure less attractive to termites.

1 credit: 3A
As a turf manager, you’ll need to be more than someone who just applies pesticides. Good turf management requires the use of all the tools in the toolbox. This course will touch on the best practice cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical controls for turf management.

1 credit: 02, 3A, 3B, 06, 7A, 7D, 7E, or Commercial Core
This Effective Pesticide Applications in Landscape and Turf Settings course, approved by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, discusses benefits and considerations for developing an integrated pest management (IPM) program in Michigan. Topics include a variety of pest-management methods, such as sanitation, augmentation, pesticide use, and mechanical and cultural control.

1 credit: 7A, 7D
One of the challenges with house mice is that clients don’t take house mice seriously. It’s amazing how people will move heaven and earth when rats are around, but when it comes to mice they will simply say “oh, it’s just a mouse!” This course will help educate applicators on the risks of allowing house mice to remain in a structure.

1 credit: 3A or 7D
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.

3 credits: 7F
Correct identification of each mosquito species is an important step to managing the mosquito population in your area. Each species of mosquito has its own preferred habitat and breeding environment. This course covers the preferred habitat, breeding ground, and physiological differences between five major species of mosquitoes found throughout the United States.

2 credits: 7F
Mosquito management is a daunting task for many applicators. 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.

1 credit: 3B, Private Core or Commercial Core
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. 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.

2 credits: Commercial Core, 3A, 3B, 06, 7A
Take this course to learn about safe, effective, and affordable pest control methods. You'll be equipped with the knowledge to manage pests that can cause property damage, infect or injure people, or affect the quality of life. You can effectively control pests and prevent further damage by minimizing risks to yourself, others, and the environment.

1 credit: Commercial Core or Private Core
Handle pesticides in a safe, legal manner with the help of this course for Michigan pest managers. Protect the public and the environment from hazardous pesticide emergencies with careful planning and strict adherence to pesticide use standards.

2 credits: Commercial Core or Private Core
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.

1 credit: Commercial Core or Private Core
When the pesticide label requires a respirator it’s important to know how to use a respirator safely. This course outlines the types of respirators available, proper fit, and inspection/maintenance requirements.

2 credits: 02, 3B, Commercial Core, or Private Core
This forest management course teaches Michigan pest managers how to stay safe and protect the environment from pesticide hazards while controlling forest pests. Learn how personal protective equipment (PPE) shields you from chemical exposure and what PPE your employer must make available. Other lessons include sprayer calibration techniques and effective application methods.

1 credit: Commercial Core or Private Core
In this course, pest managers in Michigan will learn about pesticide toxicity and the classification of various pesticides. Hazards to plants and wildlife, including pets and humans, are covered as well as the proper designation of pesticides by the pests they control.

4 credits: 6
This course will help applicators understand the five main groups of pests, identifying those pests, and help applicators decide on management strategies. It will also convert the main causes of plant disease, plant life cycles, and the development stages through which plants progress.

4 credits: 6
This course will review the methods and techniques to manage vegetation on right-of-ways and non-cropland industrial sites safely without damage to non-target species, sites, objects, or the environment.

1 credit: 7F 
Mosquito control programs manage the population of mosquitoes to reduce their damage to human health. Mosquito control is a vital public-health practice as mosquitoes are the number one vector of disease globally, spreading many diseases. Mosquitoes can cause significant pain, irritation, and infection from their bites, which are a considerable nuisance. This course outlines mosquito control’s components, methods, benefits, and complexities.

1 credit: 3A or 7D
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.

1 credit: 7B 
Inspecting and treating for termites can be a difficult process. Being familiar with common types of construction is extremely helpful. This course is a tour of the Mississippi State University Extension termite training facility. The facility consists of 12 different stations, each representing an area of a building or home where termites could enter the structure.

1 credit: 3A
There are a variety of diseases, disorders, insects, and vertebrate pests that can cause problems in turfgrass. This course will give applicators and turf managers an overview of these common pests and strategies for their management.

3 credits: 3A
This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for various turfgrasses, the multiple steps involved, and the different tools and techniques to successfully control the environment.

1 credit: 7A or 7D
Rodenticides are becoming a widely discussed and concerning topic in the pest control field. There is a growing public concern at the risk of secondary and non-target poisonings when rodenticides are used. As a pest control operator is it your responsibility to understand how rodenticides work and how to read their labels. This course discusses the common types of rodenticides, their appropriate application, the risks involved with the use of each type of rodenticide, and takes a look at specific label language.

1 credit: 3A, 3B, or 7D
Voles are known by a variety of names, meadow mice or field mice for example. Voles are rodents, meaning they like to chew on things, but they rarely enter structures and are primarily a pest in landscape settings. But they are often confused with mice by many homeowners. This course will cover the basics of vole identification, biology, and damage as well as several control methods including trapping and rodenticide use.

6 credits: 7B or Commercial Core
Termites are just one of the many wood-destroying pests found throughout the United States. Carpenter ants, powderpost beetles, and wood-damaging fungi can also cause severe structural damage if not properly managed. This course will cover the primary wood-destroying pests found through the country, the recommended treatments for each of those pests, and the primary sources of excess structural moisture.