- Author: Lisa A Blecker
[From the December 2015 issue of the UC IPM Green Bulletin]
On August 5, 2015, EPA released a proposal to revise the standards for both commercial and private certified pesticide applicators. In California this rule would affect anyone with an applicator certification or license through the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), the Department of Public Health (DPH), the Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB), or the County Agricultural Commissioner's office (CAC).
Affected licenses include:
- Qualified Applicator Certificate...
- Author: Cheryl Reynolds
The UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM) put together a 26-page card set in English and Spanish on understanding pesticide labels. Intended for pesticide handlers, applicators, safety trainers, and pest control advisers (PCAs), the cards explain when to read the label, describe what kind of information can be found in each section of a pesticide label, and point out specific instruction areas so that applicators can apply pesticides safely and avoid illegal pesticide residues.
Traces of pesticide residue are normal and even expected after pesticides are applied to food crops, but by the time produce is ready to be sold,...
- Author: Cheryl Reynolds
Are you looking for continuing education units (CEUs) to complete your renewal application this year for the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)? The UC Statewide IPM Program has several online courses available that can help you get those last few needed credits.
DPR license and certificate holders with last names beginning with M – Z renew this year. Renewal packets must be submitted to DPR before November 19th to ensure that licenses are renewed by January 1, 2016. After that, applications may take up to 45 calendar days to process.
The online courses available from UC IPM that offer...
Today, April 7, 2015 is the 13th annual National Healthy Schools Day, a day dedicated to promoting healthy school environments for children.
Children in the United States face risks from exposure to pests and pesticides in schools. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) encourages the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a smart, sensible and sustainable approach to pest control that focuses on addressing the underlying issues that make schools attractive to pests.
EPA reports that half of all schools have problems with indoor pollution, a complex problem attributable to various sources, such as poor engineering, leaky roofs, deferred...
- Author: Cheryl Reynolds
As summer is quickly coming to a close, and most kids have already headed back to school or will be returning in the next couple of weeks, integrated pest management will be an expected and important tool for the upcoming school year. Classrooms, playgrounds, and athletic fields that were quiet during the summer months will once again be filled with the sounds of learning and playing. Landscape and pest management professionals have been taking advantage of the slow summer months preparing the grounds and facilities for the upcoming year. While at one time this may have meant heavy applications of pesticide to rid the facilities of pest problems, today schools are healthier environments for our...