California General 20hr Bundle #1 for PCA
This package expires on December 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern, 10:59 PM Central, 9:59 PM Mountain, 8:59 PM Pacific. You must complete the courses and download your certificate(s) before the expiration date to receive credit. After12/31, you will no longer have access to this course, so please complete the course(s) and download your certificate(s) by then.
This 20 hour bundle contains 2 hours of law and 18 hours of general training. This course bundle fulfills all requirements for PCA certified 12-20 months or half for those certified 21-24 months. QAL and QAC Certified 21-24 months will need 2 more hours of laws. All courses are approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Please click on course details for a list of specific courses.
BUNDLE CONTENTS
Laws
- Review of Pesticide Laws, Regulations, and Rodenticides – 2 hours
Other – General
- General Pesticide Use Safety – 8 hours
- Field Crop Pest Management – 5 hours
- Intro to Mosquito Control and Management – 4 hours
- Common Landscape Pests of the West Coast – 1 hour
Review of Pesticide Laws, Regulations, and Rodenticides
Course Description
The source material for this course can be found in Chapter 4: Pesticide and Pest Control Laws and Regulations of Landscape Maintenance Pest Control publication 3493. This continuing education course is specific to California and will teach applicators the federal and state laws for making pesticide applications to landscape, turf, and interiorscape settings. It discusses licensing requirements for Landscape Maintenance and Maintenance Gardener Pest Control categories, as well as how to read a pesticide label.
After taking this portion of the course, learners will:
- Differentiate between federal and state regulatory agencies and laws.
- Explain requirements for each license category.
- Recognize when you are allowed to deviate from a pesticide label.
This portion covers:
- Pesticide Laws and Regulations
- Requirements for Landscape Maintenance Pest Control QAC/QAL and Maintenance Gardener Licensing
- Landscape Maintenance Pest Control Category
- Maintenance Gardener Pest Control Category
- Pesticide Labels
Understanding Rodenticides & Their Labels
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.
After taking this portion of the course, learners will:
- Outline and describe the primary classifications of rodenticides
- Describe the differences in toxicity and risk between first-generation and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides
- Describe how to use appropriate baiting techniques and the importance of carcass removal
General Pesticide Use Safety
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Understand the first aid responses to human exposure of pesticides, the hazard level classification system for pesticides, the value and care of PPE (personal protective equipment) for applicators
- Demonstrate knowledge utilizing the formulations and actual procedural applications for pesticide usage, including product selection and labeling
- Explain how pesticide applications can affect the environment generally and how to prevent pesticides from specifically entering nontarget areas and leaving accumulated residue, and the basic safety of transporting and disposing of pesticides
This course covers these topics:
Respiratory Protection
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 chapter outlines the types of respirators available, proper fit, and inspection/maintenance requirements.
Personal Protective Equipment and Emergency Response
PPE comprises the clothing and devices you wear to protect your body from contact with pesticides. 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. Proper PPE selection, use, and care are essential.
Although pesticide accidents and emergencies are rare, they do occur. Pesticides spilled on the ground or burning in a fire can contaminate water, soil, and air; damage plants; injure livestock, wildlife, or pets; and endanger the health of the applicator and emergency responders. Pesticide spills and fires may lead to financial loss due to cleanup, liability claims, and fines assessed by government agencies. Do all that you can to prevent accidents, but be prepared in case of an emergency.
Pesticide Application Procedures
Today’s pest management practices require modern equipment to apply a variety of pesticides. Pesticides may be
applied as sprays, dusts, granules, gases (vapors), fogs, baits, rubs, or dips. The vast array of application equipment must
be matched to the pesticide as well as to the size and type of the job. To make an effective, safe, and efficient application,
read the label first. In addition, you must properly select, operate, calibrate, and maintain your equipment.
Pesticide Formulations
A pesticide formulation is a combination of active and inert ingredients that form an end-use pesticide product. 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.
Pesticide Hazards and First Aid
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.
Field Crop Pest Management
Course Description
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.
After completing this course, users will be able to:
- Identify invasive pests of field crop plants, including insects, weeds, and diseases.
- Operate and properly calibrate various types of application equipment.
- Outline strategies of Integrated Pest Management systems.
Intro to Mosquito Control and Management
This course is divided into 2 topics:
Mosquito Control and Management
Mosquito management is a daunting task for many applicators. When done correctly, outdoor areas such as parks and neighborhood common areas can be a perfect place for people to relax. When mosquito management is done incorrectly or isn’t done at all, mosquitoes can make public spaces unusable. This chapter will discuss common methods of mosquito control, everything from physical controls to pesticides, to record-keeping, all as part of a solid integrated pest management approach to mosquito control.
After completing this portion participants will be able to:
- Discuss the different types of control methods for managing mosquito populations.
- Discuss the different types of insecticides available for both larval and adult control of mosquitoes.
- Identify and describe the different kinds of equipment commonly used for mosquito control pesticide applications.
- Discuss several ways to evaluate the efficacy of the different mosquito control methods implemented.
Intro to Mosquito
Mankind has been battling mosquitoes since before the first settlers landed on the continent. Mosquitoes are vectors for a multitude of diseases that are harmful to humans, livestock, and pets. 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. It is also important to have a good understanding of the diseases that are commonly vectored by mosquitoes. The chapter will talk about surveillance methods, mosquito anatomy, and touch on the diseases that are most commonly vectored by mosquitoes in the United States.
After completing this portion participants will be able to:
- Describe the different stages in the mosquito lifecycle.
- Explain the differences between male and female mosquitoes.
- Suggest different surveillance and collection tactics to efficiently trap mosquitoes in the target area.
- List and describe several commonly mosquito vectored diseases.
Common Landscape Pests of the West Coast
Course Description
The best way to stay on top of pest management and damage control is correctly identifying the type of pest. Failing to do so often results in choosing the wrong management method or applying it at the wrong time. It is also essential to identify plants to protect them from pest damage and select a pesticide that won’t injure the landscape.
This Department of Pesticide Regulation-approved course showcases identifying and treating pests in interiorscape, landscape and turf settings. It discusses the following common landscape pests: weeds, invertebrates, vertebrates, and disease agents.
At the end of this course, students in California will:
- Explain identifying characteristics and symptoms of pests.
- Recognize the appropriate development stage to treat a pest.
- Assess the steps to send pest samples to a lab for identification.