Oregon Commercial Applicator Bundle - Agricultural
This course bundle is designed for the Oregon commercial applicator. The bundle focuses on agricultural pesticide use and safety. Commercial applicators may complete a maximum of 15 credits per calendar year. All courses are approved by the Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticides Program. Please click on course details for a list of specific courses.
BUNDLE CONTENTS:
- Field Crop Pest Management – 5 credits
- Fruit Crop Pest Management – 5 credits
- Vegetable Crop Pest Management – 3 credits
- Pest Identification: Corn, Soybean, and Grain Sorghum – 2 credits
Wood-Destroying Pest Management
Course Description
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. Often times the initial cause of any pest problem is the presence of excess moisture in the structural wood. The source of the excess moisture must be addressed for a permanent solution to the pest problem to be effective. 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.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Explain the different laws that govern pesticide applications
- Describe termite biology, caste system, and physical characteristics
- Identify other wood-destroying insects such as carpenter ants, powderpost beetles, and carpenter bees
- Explain the different types of termite treatments
- Describe the different types of wood-damaging fungi and outline standard treatment procedures
- Identify common sources of excess moisture within a structure
Structure Infesting Pest Management
Course Description
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.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the different stages of insect growth, development and metamorphosis
- Distinguish the different types of cockroaches and discuss effective management options
- Distinguish ants and termites and discuss effective management options for ants
- Distinguish the different types of stored product and fabric pests and discuss effective management options
- Describe the difference between silverfish and firebrats
- Describe the different types of fleas and discuss effective management options for each
Structure Invading Pest Management
Course Description
As a pest control technician, it’s important to be familiar with the pests in the region as well as where they reproduce. Some pests like honeybees and spiders will generally live and reproduce outside but will also invade a structure if it finds a suitable living area. 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.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify common flying pests, describe their life cycle, and describe proper pest management procedures
- Identify common spiders, describe the habitat and life cycles, and describe proper management procedures
- Differentiate and identify common types of ticks, lice, and mites
- Identify which types of ticks, lice, and mites carry disease
- Identify miscellaneous structural invaders and describe proper management procedures
Field Crop Pest Management
Course Description
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, weeds and diseases; improve 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 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.
Fruit Crop Pest Management
Course Description
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.
After completing this course users will be able to:
- Identify invasive pests of fruit crops, including insects, weeds, diseases, and nematodes.
- Operate and properly calibrate various types of application equipment.
- Outline effective practices for the management of various pest populations.
Vegetable Crop Pest Management
Course Description
Pesticides protect plants and animals from insects, nematodes, weeds and diseases; improve efficiency of food productions; and provide for greater crop yields. This course outlines various invasive pests of vegetable crops and how an applicator can effectively treat pest infestations while protecting themselves and maintaining productive vegetable crop yields intended for human consumption.
After completing this course users will be able to:
- Identify invasive pests of vegetable crop plants, including insects, weeds, diseases, and nematodes.
- Operate and properly calibrate various types of application equipment.
- Outline effective practices for management of pest populations.
Pest Identification: Corn, Soybean, and Grain Sorghum
Course Description
Corn Insect Pests. This course goes over in detail the many insects that threaten corn yield. Each species is identified according to various stages of maturity, the signs and symptoms exhibited, and the type of biological, cultural or chemical control recommended for each.
Soybean Insect Pests. This course details the various types of insects that affect soybeans, including early-season insect pests, stem and petiole feeders, and defoliators. Treatment and control strategies for specified insects within these groups are detailed throughout this lesson.
Grain Sorghum Insect Pests. Sorghum represents a large portion of the U.S. export industry. It is a versatile crop that is used as a grain, forage or sweet crop. It is subject to infestation by a variety of insect pests. Good production practices can help reduce infestation when sampled regularly from emergence to maturity. This course will outline how to manage for these pests in a timely and efficient way.
Course attendants will learn specifics on:
- The major pests currently affecting corn crops in the United States today.
- How to develop strategies to manage and control corn insect pests.
- Early season insect pests: how to recognize, control and prevent
- Multiple soybean fruit and pod feeders, the extent of damage each causes, and prevention techniques
- Identify the different groups of grain sorghum pests and which insects within those groups are most harmful.
- Identify the vegetative and grain-filling stages of plant growth.