West Virginia Category 8B - Structural Pest Control Recertification Bundle - Wood Destroying
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 package, so please complete the course(s) and download your certificate(s) by then.
This course bundle is designed General Pest Control Commercial Applicator. The course bundle contains 20 credits of category 8B (Structural Pest Control) credits as approved by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
BUNDLE CONTENTS:
- Wood-Destroying Pest Management – 12 credits
- IPM for Termite Prevention – 2 credits
- Termite Inspection and Treatment – 2 credits
- Respiratory Protection – 2 credit
- Environmental Fate and Transport of Pesticides – 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
IPM for Termite Prevention
Course Description
Termites are one of the most destructive pests in the United States. They are responsible for more than 2 million dollars in damage each year. In many states, building codes require the use of liquid termiticide when constructing new structures. 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 solid IPM practices to make any structure less attractive to termites.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Explain the principles of Integrated Pest Management and how they apply to termite prevention.
- Describe the life cycle of a termite and be familiar with termite behavior.
- Recommend several IPM practices that can reduce the risk of a structure being invaded by termites.
Termite Inspection and Treatment
Course Description
Inspecting and treating for termites can be a difficult process. Being familiar with common types of construction is extremely helpful. The following 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. The regulations referenced by the presenters are Mississippi regulations for termite treatments. It is the responsibility of the applicator to be familiar with the rules and regulations regarding termite treatment and all pesticide applications for their state.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify key areas to inspect for termite damage or entry.
- Determine common treatment failure points at each station.
- Discuss treatment strategies for each station.
Respiratory Protection
Course Description
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 course outlines the types of respirators available, proper fit, and inspection/maintenance requirements.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Discuss the different types of respirators and when to use each type
- Describe the steps of a successful fit test
- Outline the necessary care and maintenance required for each type of respirator
Environmental Fate and Transport of Pesticides
Course Description
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.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the elements of the environment that can play a role in chemical processing such as soil composition and moisture
- Describe the role of microbes and the factors that change populations
- Identify the factors that affect pesticide drift
- Explain the ways that pesticides can be decomposed
- Identify the connections between pesticide properties and potential for groundwater contamination
- Explain application techniques that can minimize impacts