Florida Category 2 - Forest Pest Control Bundle

This course bundle is designed for the Florida Forest Pest Control commercial applicator but also can be used for 6 CEUs for Category 03, 4 CEUs for categories 1A1 and 1A2, and 3 CEUs for 03. This bundle should be paired with a core bundle to meet recertification requirements. All courses are approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Agricultural Environmental Services. Please click on course details for a list and description of courses.

BUNDLE CONTENTS:

Forest Pest Control (Category 2) CEUs

Native and Non-Native Woodborers – 1 CEU
Balancing Pest Management and Pollinator Health – 1 CEU
Pollinator Stewardship – 1 CEU
Identification and Control of Noxious Weeds – 1 CEU
Management of Pocket Gophers – 1 CEU
Management of Woodchucks – 1 CEU
Mole Management – 1 CEU
Voles: Biology, Damage, and Control – 1 CEU

Native and Non-Native Woodborers

Course Description

Insect Identification. This presentation is a brief overview of basic identification of insects that are common to our environment. This course outlines the distinguishing physical and behavioral characteristics of several orders of insects.

Native Wood Boring Insects. In recent decades, North American forests have come under threat from many types of invaders, ranging from insects and invasive plants to changing climatic conditions. Insects are quickly becoming one of the biggest threats to our forests, causing millions of dollars in lost timber revenue and severe ecological damage. In some of these cases, the insects in question are non-native species, introduced either on purpose or accidentally over the years. In other cases, the damage is caused by native wood boring insects and is often as destructive, if not more so.

Non-Native Woodborers. As of 1994, nearly 2,000 non-native insects have been introduced into the U.S. This course details those causing serious damage: Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Long-horned Beetle, Redbay Ambrosia Beetle, and Laurel Wilt. Students will learn prevention techniques and best practices in order to control these invasive woodborers.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

Describe different types of invasive wood borers, and the damage caused by each.
Outline specific preventative techniques for each of the invasive woodborers.
Monitor and control pests through cultural, biological, mechanical, chemical, genetic, and host plant resistance methods.
Identify the characteristic differences between arthropods and insects, and the stages of metamorphosis.
Distinguish between insect orders odonata, orthoptera and isoptera pests.
Identify the differences between insect orders hemiptera, coleopteran, hymenoptera, lepidoptera, and diptera.

Balancing Pest Management and Pollinator Health

Course Description

Balancing the need to manage agricultural pests with pollinator health is dependent on cooperation between beekeepers, farmers, and pesticide applicators. This course outlines the importance of honey bees honey bee decline and discusses some pollinator myths. Finally, the strategies required to coordinate the efforts of farmers, beekeepers, and applicators are discussed.