UC Delivers

Study Manual Series for Commercial and Private Pesticide Applicators

The Issue

Since pesticide and pest control regulations are very complex, anyone who uses or supervises the use of restricted materials must be certified. Commercial applicators must pass at least two qualifying examinations administered by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Private applicators are certified by passing an examination given by county agricultural commissioners. Until UC experts stepped in, however, all those studying for the exams struggled to glean the information they needed from various sources.

What Has ANR Done?

In 1988, Patrick O’Connor-Marer, director of the UC IPM Pesticide Safety Education Program, launched the well-received Pesticide Application Compendium, composed of comprehensive study manuals for people preparing to take the commercial applicator examinations. These carefully researched publications contain all of the needed information in a single, concise reference for each examination.

The core manual, The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides (ANR Pub. #3324), covers laws, regulations and general principles. The other Compendium volumes cover individual examination categories. They include:
Volume 2: Residential, Industrial, and Institutional Pest Control (ANR Pub. #3334) (currently being revised)
Volume 3: Wood Preservation (ANR Pub. #3335)
Volume 4: Forest and Right-of-Way Pest Control (ANR Pub. #3336)
Volume 5: Aquatic Pest Control (ANR Pub. #3337)
Volumes 1 through 5 can be purchased through the ANR online catalog (anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu) or by calling ANR Communication Services at (800) 994-8849.

Volume 6: Demonstration and Research Uses of Pesticides (ANR Pub. #90010) is ANR’s first book-length electronic publication. It is available as a for-sale PDF through the ANR Catalog.
Volume 7, Landscape Maintenance Pest Control, is currently being developed.

Six out of 14 categories now have their own complete study manuals. The Compendium series for commercial applicators continues to grow, and the volumes are revised and updated as needed to keep up with changes in laws and regulations. For private applicators, ANR published in 1998 O’Connor-Marer’s Pesticide Safety: A Reference Manual for Private Applicators (ANR Pub. #3383), the first-ever study and reference manual for private applicator certification. In 1999, a Spanish version of this helpful manual was published.

The Payoff

Broadened knowledge and expertise for agricultural workers

Both commercial and private pesticide applicators in California are now able to study for each particular examination by using a single comprehensive manual. Examinees have found these study manuals extremely helpful. In addition, they have been excellent resources for ongoing in-field reference regarding the safe and effective use of pesticides.

Contact

Supporting Unit: Integrated Pest Management

Patrick J. O'Connor-Marer, Pesticide Safety Training Program Coordinator, UC Statewide IPM Program, c/o IPM Education and Publications, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616