West Virginia Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Courses

2 credits: 4A, 11
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.

4 credits: 6, 11, 13D, 13E
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.

2 credits: 6, 11
Managing aquatic weeds revolves around proper plant identification. Tailoring management strategies to address specific aquatic plant life is only possible through accurate identification. This course teaches the basics of aquatic weed identification and the different approaches to aquatic plant management. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: 8A, 11
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. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

4 credits: 8A, 8E, 9, 11
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.

6 credits: 4A, 4B
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.

5 credits: 8A, 8E
2 credits: 8B 
1 credit: 13D
This online course teaches West Virginia pest managers how to identify and control interior and exterior pests that can damage property or spread disease. .

2 credits: 4A, 7, 11
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.

6 credits: 6, 11, 13D, 13E
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.

2 credits: 4A, 7, 11
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.

4 credits: 4A, 4B, 11
Pesticide applicators in West Virginia can take this course for an extensive overview of interiorscape pest management. It reviews Integrated Pest Management for interiorscapes, pesticide safety protocols, indoor plant health strategies, and more.

2 credits: 01, 03, 4A, 6, 7, 8A, 8B, 8E, 10, 11, 12, 13C, 13D, 13E, PA
Pesticides are a key factor in pest management but it is important to understand what happens to those pesticides after the application. This course will review some key characteristics of environmental factors that can affect how pesticides move and degrade in the environment. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: 8A, 13A
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. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: All categories
Pesticides are regulated to utilize their benefits while protecting public health and welfare and preventing harm to the environment. This course addresses the federal pesticide laws that control the labeling, sale and distribution, storage, transportation, use, and disposal in the best public interest. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

8 credits: 1, 11, 12, PA
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.

8 credits: 3, 7, 11, 12, 13C, PA
Keep the forests of West Virginia safe from pests and disease with this course. Lessons explain how to use integrated pest management strategies to protect non-target organisms, minimize a pesticide’s impact on water sources, and manage pesticide resistance. Other topics discussed include insect management, weed control, sprayer maintenance, and more.

4 credits: 3, 7, 11, 12, 13C, PA
This online course gives pest control professionals in West Virginia the tools they need to manage common pests found in forest environments. Lessons cover a wide variety of topics like pesticide-mixing safety, integrated pest management, pesticide spill cleanup techniques, and more.

8 credits: 1, 11, 12, PA
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, nematodes, weeds, and diseases; improve the efficiency of food productions, and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of fruit crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest infestations while protecting themselves and maintaining productive fruit crop yields intended for human consumption.

6 credits: 8A, 8E
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: 8A, 8E
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. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

4 credits: 8A
If you do not diagnose the problem correctly you will spend a lot of time treating something that is not there. Identify correctly and gather evidence and determine the extent of potential problems. This course will cover the basics of what to look for while inspecting a structure that has potentially been invaded by wildlife. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

4 credits: 8A, 9, 13D
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.

2 credits: 4A, 4B
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.

2 credits: 8B
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.

2 credits: 4A
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.

2 credits: 4A
This course discusses benefits and considerations for developing an integrated pest management (IPM) program in West Virginia. Topics include a variety of pest-management methods, such as augmentation, mechanical and cultural control, sanitation, and pesticide use.

2 credits: 4A, 6, 11
Beavers are protected and beneficial to the ecosystem and habitats of other animals. Managing them requires careful consideration and knowledge of state laws and permits. This course will cover common behaviors and habitat construction. It will also cover many non-lethal methods of control and requirements and ways to effectively trap beavers. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

6 credits: 4A, 4B, 11, PA
This course teaches the basics of disease management for landscape plantings, cost-minimizing strategies, and tools and techniques needed to successfully control disease in the highly competitive world of landscaping. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

3 credits: 8A, 8E, 9
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. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

4 credits: 6, 9
Managing microbial pests in water systems is essential for human health and the wider environment. This course will cover pest identification and methods of control. It will also discuss common application methods and ways to protect yourself from hazards when using biocides.

3 credits: 8A, 9, 13D
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.

4 credits: 8A, 9, 13D
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.

2 credits: 4A, 4B
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: All categories
Wearing PPE can reduce exposure (dermal, inhalation, ocular, or oral) and thereby lower the chances of pesticide injury, illness, or poisoning. It is important that all pesticide applicators and handlers understand the protections and limitations of PPE.

4 credits: 8A, 8E
1 credit:  4A
In this course, you'll learn safe, effective, and budget-friendly pest control methods that enable you to manage pests that can harm property, people, or quality of life. Effectively control pests and prevent further damage by minimizing risks to yourself, others, and the environment.

4 credits: 4A, 4B
Pest control specialists in West Virginia who take this course will understand how to identify and control the pests that threaten landscape, turf, and interiorscape settings.

2 credits: All categories
A pest is an undesirable organism that injures humans, desirable plants and animals, manufactured products, or natural substances. This course will discuss the importance of pest identification in pest control, describe how pest population levels trigger control procedures, and give several reasons why pesticide applications may fail.

2 credits: All categories
Pesticides may be applied as sprays, dusts, granules, gases (vapors), fogs, baits, rubs, or dips and require the correct equipment for the pesticide as well as the job size and type. In addition, you must properly select, operate, calibrate, and maintain your equipment.

2 credits: 4A, 7, 8A, 8E, 13D
This course examines ways West Virginia pest managers can protect people and the environment from pesticide hazards through safe and legal pesticide use. The course emphasizes elements of safe handling and application, including management plans and pesticide alternatives. Learn best practices for public and environmental safety, like notifying the public and posting public warning signs.

2 credits: All categories 
Pesticides are formulated to make them safer or easier to use. There are many formulations available for various pest control sites and situations and it is important that applicators choose the best one for the job.

2 credits: All categories
Pesticides are designed to be toxic so they can control pests (e.g., plants, insects, rodents, fungi, and bacteria) while not harming non-target organisms and anyone else exposed to the product. Pesticide users need to be concerned with the hazards associated with exposure to the chemical and not just the toxicity of the pesticide.

2 credits: All categories
The pesticide label is the main method of communication between a pesticide manufacturer and pesticide users. By law, pesticide users are required to comply with all instructions and use directions found on the pesticide product label.

2 credits: All categories
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.

2 credits: All categories
Before beginning a pesticide application, you should know how to select the right pesticide for the job, review the label, test for pesticide compatibility before mixing, select personal protective equipment, transfer pesticides safely, and clean up after an application.

6 credits: 9
Public health pests affect humans through discomfort and disease and can be found in homes and other buildings and structures. This course will outline control techniques and requirements for the most common public health pests which includes mosquitoes, flies, fleas, lice, bed bugs, cockroaches, wasps, ticks, mites, spiders, and rodents. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

4 credits: All categories
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 present.

2 credits: 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 7, 8A, 8B, 8D, 11, 12, 13C, 13D
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.

4 credits: 3, 7, 11, 12, 13C, PA
This course prepares West Virginia pest managers to protect themselves and the environment as they work to control forest pests. Learn how to minimize harmful pesticide exposure with personal protective equipment supplied by your employer. The course also offers an in-depth exploration of sprayers and nozzles used in forest management and methods of pesticide application.

2 credits: 4A, 7, 8A, 8B, 8E, 13D
This course teaches West Virginia pest managers about the classifications and hazards of pesticides. You will learn how to recognize the toxicity danger pesticides present to humans, pets, wildlife and the environment, plus categories and designations of pesticides.

6 credits: 3, 7, 13C
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 cover the main causes of plant disease, plant life cycles, and the developmental stages through which plants progress.

3 credits: 3, 7, 13C
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.

4 credits: 8A, 8E, 9
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. This course looks at basic management of common vertebrate pests. Be sure to understand all the regulations that apply in your geographic area before attempting to control vertebrate pests.

3 credits: 8A
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. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

6 credits: 8A, 8E
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.

6 credits: 8A, 8E
As a pest control technician, it's important to be familiar with the pests in the region as well as where they reproduce. 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.

2 credit: 8B
Inspecting and treating 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. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: All categories
This course discusses safety and security issues that may arise when pesticides are moved or stored, under what conditions uncertified people can make applications of restricted use products, and how to communicate these issues with customers. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

2 credits: 4A, 11
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.

2 credits: 8A, 8E, 9
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. This course must be completed by 12/31/24

12 credits: 8B
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.

2 credits: 9, 13D
This course covers a range of mosquito-borne diseases with an emphasis on the Zika virus. Zika's extent, side effects, testing, and diagnostics are detailed along with protection and reduction techniques of mosquitoes to minimize the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. This course must be completed by 12/31/24