Forest Pest Management | Massachusetts Approval #2024-000155

Massachusetts pest managers who take this course will learn how to control pests and tree diseases within forest environments. All course material is available online, self-paced, and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

The purpose of the course is to cover a wide variety of topics that will help you protect Massachusetts forests. It starts with an examination of integrated pest management strategies. These strategies will help protect non-target organisms, minimize the impact of pesticides on water sources, and overcome pesticide resistance.

After that, the course discusses pesticide sprayer equipment and application methods. Learn about sprayer types, maintenance, components, and operation. Broadcast and banding calibration methods are also covered.

Learn about better ways to manage tree diseases and pests with lessons that explain how to use natural, chemical, and applied insect management techniques. Weed control is also described in conjunction with pest control herbicides.

The course ends with a discussion about vertebrate pests, the problems they bring, and damage control methods. Then, the final lesson explains laws and regulations related to forest pest management.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain what integrated pest management is and various management strategies.
• Describe key features of forest disease management and characteristics of common tree diseases.
• Explain types of calibration methods and techniques.
• Describe the importance of keeping pesticides out of water sources and methods to minimize the impacts of pesticide use.
• Relate types of forests and specific pest threats.
• State the types of equipment necessary for pesticide application and various application methods.
• Identify key variables in properly calibrating pesticide application equipment.
• Identify types of forest vertebrate populations and problems and how to choose the best control method.
• Discuss types of management methods and controls for insects within different tree environments.
• Relate control methods for weed control, including pesticides and herbicides.