Calibration might sound intimidating, but it’s critical for safe and effective herbicide application. Proper calibration ensures that the correct amount of pesticide is applied to an area while achieving the desired level of pest control. To support land managers and pesticide applicators, the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, in collaboration with the California Invasive Plant Council, has released a new online course: Herbicide Application Calibration for Non-Agricultural Sites. Authored by UC Cooperative Extension Weed Scientists Tom Getts, Chris McDonald, and Scott Oneto, this course is designed for anyone who applies herbicides in wildlands, parks, or other natural areas—whether you’re just learning how to calibrate equipment or need a refresher after years in the field. The course will guide you through the calibration process and explain how to calibrate various types of sprayers such as backpack sprayers, boom or boomless sprayers, and orchard gun sprayers as well as make herbicide applications on woody species. The course reinforces the importance of calibration and walks you through real-life calibration scenarios.
Herbicide Application Calibration for Non-Agricultural Sites is available for free in both English and Spanish. It has been approved by The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) for 2.0 continuing education units (CEUs), including 0.5 hour of Pesticide Laws and Regulations and 1.5 hours of Other.
UC IPM currently offers 17 online courses with Continuing Education Units from DPR. Many of these courses are also credited by the Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB), Certified Crop Adviser (CCA), and the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (WC-ISA). All courses can be accessed for free. However, if you need Continuing Education Units and a Certificate of Completion, you will be charged a small fee for most courses. Take advantage of 50% off the regular course fee through October 31. Use code ipm50 at checkout to get your discount.
