Indiana Pesticide Applicator Core Training

Office of Indiana State Chemist

State agency is responsible for pesticide regulation (including licensing).

pesticide product label

Information that must be followed by law

applicators who purchase, use, or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides (RUPs)

Legally has to be certified to use pesticides in Indiana

private applicator

Apply pesticides to property they own, rent, or otherwise control by some form of contractual arrangement for purposes of producing an agricultural commodity

commercial applicator

Apply either general-use or restricted-use pesticides to the property of another for financial compensation, to school property, golf courses, for area-wide mosquito control, property of their employer as a function of their job, or as an employee of the state or local government

registered technician

Under the direct supervision of a certified applicator, this person may engage in those pest control operations in which the supervisor is certified and licensed

5 years

Number of years pesticide applicator certification is good for

retesting or accumulating continuing certification hours (CCHs)

Two options to maintain applicator certification

www.isco.purdue.edu

Where you can find reliable information regarding pesticide applicator continuing certification programs

purpose of applicator license

Links an applicator to a specific business, organization, or agency, confines the applicator to those applications by the certification category(ies) listed on the license and only while employed by the entity listed on the license, and also provides assurance that the applicator is covered by liability insurance

Category 1

Agricultural Pest Management

Category 2

Forest Pest Management

Category 3a

Ornamental Pest Management

Category 3b

Turf Pest Management

Category 4

Seed Treatment

Category 5

Aquatic Pest Management

Category 6

Industrial Weed Management

Category 7a

Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health-Related Pest Management

Category 7b

Termite Control

Category 7d

Fumigation

Category 8

Community-Wide Mosquito Management

Category 11

Aerial Application

Category 13

Limited Certification

commercial for-hire business

Must maintain a pesticide business license

when using restricted-use pesticides

Certified, licensed supervisor must remain on-site with a non-certified employee

non-certified technician becomes registered technician

By passing the pesticide applicator Core exam and their employer applying for a registered technician credential through the OSIC

certified, licensed supervisor

Remain available by phone, provide he RT with category-specific site assessment fact sheet, provide labels of the products being applied, make available personal protective equipment as specified on the label

registered technicians

Under the direct supervision of a certified applicator, may engage in those pest control operations in which the supervisor is certified and licensed

restricted-use pesticide (RUP) statement

At the top of the of the front panel

restricted-use pesticide

Records kept two years from the date of the application

click on "Pesticide" www.isco.purdue.edu

Where to find restricted-use pesticide records

four main groups of pests

Weeds, invertebrates, plant disease agents, and vertebrates

accurate pest identification

Prevents choosing an inappropriate control method or applying the control at the wrong time

food, water, and proper habitat

basic conditions required for a pest to survive

action threshold

the predetermined level at which pest control is needed

pest inspection

Identify the pest and pests life cycles that are present

three non-chemical control options

Cultivation, exclusion, and trapping

advantages of non-chemical control options

Maintains population of natural enemies and avoids damaging cultural practices

herbicides

Pesticide that controls weeds

insecticides

Pesticide that controls insect pests

fungicides

Pesticide that controls plant diseases

rodenticides

Pesticides that control mice and rats

pesticide advantages

Their effectiveness, speed and ease of controlling pests, and, in many instances, their reasonable cost compared with other control options

when a pest is immature

Life cycle that pests are, generally, most easily controlled by pesticides

sensitive application site

Often where children, the elderly, and the infirm are present

pest resistance

Can be explained by site history

Given a product label, determine conditions that influence product effectiveness

Do not apply prior to rain as this may reduce product effectiveness

Define pesticide resistance.

Refers to the ability of an insect fungus weed rodent or other pest to tolerate a pesticide that once controlled it. A pest population breeds pesticide resistance genes and then repopulates.

Contrast the following pesticide characteristics

- Selective vs Non-Selective
Selective control only certain pest species or affect only a certain stage of pest development
non selective pesticides control a wide variety of pest
- Persistent vs Non-Persistent
Persistent - how long they remain active to control pest (short term control or a few hour control)
Nonpersistent - don't know how long it will control the pest

Active Ingredient

are chemicals which actually control the pest.

inert ingredient

primarily solvents and carriers that help deliver the active ingredients to the target pest; they serve to enhance the utility of the product. Frequently transparent.

solution

results when a substance (the solute) is dissolved in a liquid (the solvent). The solute can be a solid or a liquid.

suspension

is a mixture of finely divided, solid particles dispersed in a liquid. Has cloudy appearance.

emulsion

An emulsion is a mixture that occurs when one liquid is dispersed (as droplets) in another liquid. Has "milky" appearance

D, G, P or Ps, W or WP, DF, WDG, WG, S or SP, L or F, SC, M or ME, E or EC, ULV, RTU

Dust, Granule, Pellet, Wettable Powder, Dry Flowable, Water Dispersible Granule, Wettable Granule ,Soluble Powder, Liquid Flowable, Suspension Concentrate, Microencapsulate, Emulsifiable Concentrate, Ultra Low Volume Concentrate, Ready To Use

Identify advantages and disadvantages- Dusts

They are relatively easy to use because no mixing is required and the application equipment (hand bellows and bulb dusters) is lightweight and simple. Dusts can provide excellent coverage, but the small particle size that allows for this advantage also creates an inhalation and drift hazard.

Identify advantages and disadvantages- Granules

Granules are applied dry and usually are intended for soil applications where they have the advantage of weight to carry them through foliage to the ground below. The larger particle size of granules, relative to dusts, minimizes the potential for drift. There is also a reduced inhalation hazard, but some fine particles are associated with the formulation. In addition, granules have a low dermal hazard. The primary drawbacks of granules are their bulk, the problems they present in handling, and the difficulty inherent in achieving uniform application. Granules also may have to be incorporated into the soil to work and they are sometimes attractive to nontarget organisms such as birds.

Identify advantages and disadvantages- Pellets

This slurry is then extruded under pressure through a die and cut at desired lengths to produce a particle that is relatively uniform in size and shape. Pellets are typically used in spot applications. Pelleted formulations provide a high degree of safety to the applicator. They do have the potential to roll on steep slopes and thereby harm nontarget vegetation or contaminate surface water.

Identify advantages and disadvantages- Wettable powders

They provide an ideal way to apply (in spray form) an active ingredient that is not readily soluble in water. Wettable powders tend to pose a lower dermal hazard in comparison to liquid formulations, and they do not burn vegetation as readily as many oil-based formulations. This formulation does present an inhalation hazard to the applicator during mixing and loading because of the powdery nature of the particles. Furthermore, there are a series of disadvantages associated with all formulation that form a suspension in the spay tank: They require agitation to prevent settling out; they can be abrasive to equipment; and they may cause strainers and screens to plug.

Identify advantages and disadvantages- Dry flowables (or water dispersible granules, wettable granules)

Dry flowables form a suspension in a spray tank; they have basically the same advantages and disadvantages as wettable powders, with several important exceptions. During the mixing and loading process, dry flowables pour more easily from the container and, because of their larger particle size, reduce inhalation hazard to the applicator.

Identify advantages and disadvantages- Soluble powders

Soluble powders provide most of the same benefits as wettable powders, without the need for agitation once dissolved in the tank. They are also nonabrasive to application equipment. Soluble powders, like any finely divided particle, can present an inhalation hazard to applicators during mixing and loading.

Identify advantages and disadvantages- Liquid flowables (or suspension concentrates))

The product is applied as a spray, with all the advantages of a wettable powder. The benefit of this formulation is that there is no inhalation hazard to the applicator during mixing and loading since the powder already is suspended in water, permitting it to be poured. Liquid flowables from a suspension in the spray tank and have the same problems inherent in any suspension. However, they usually do not require do not require agitation during application due to the extremely small size of the suspended particles, but they will settle if not tended to. One further problem noted with this formulation is the difficulty in removing all of the product from the container during mixing, loading, and container rinsing.

Identify advantages and disadvantages- water-soluble concentrates)

They will obviously from a true solution in the spray tank and require no agitation after they are thoroughly dissolved. Solutions are not abrasive to equipment and will not plug strainers and screens. Solutions have few disadvantages; however, some can be caustic to human skin.

Identify advantages and disadvantages- Microencapsulates

Encapsulation enhances applicator safety while providing timed release of the active ingredient. Liquid forms of micro encapsulates are further diluted with water and applied as sprays. They form suspensions in the spray tank and have many of the same properties as liquid flowables.

Identify advantages and disadvantages- Emulsifiable concentrates

The emulsifying agents are long-chain chemicals that orient themselves around the droplets of oil and bind the oil-water surfaces together to prevent the oil and water from separating. Emulsifiable concentrates allow oil-soluble active ingredients to be sprayed in water as a carrier. Some agitation is typically required to maintain dispersion of the oil droplets. They are not abrasive to application equipment, nor do they plug screens and strainers. Emulsifiable concentrates have several disadvantages: They present a dermal hazard; they readily penetrate oily barriers like human skin; they usually have an odor problem; they can burn foliage; and they can cause the deterioration of rubber and plastic equipment parts.

Identify advantages and disadvantages- Fumigants

Fumigants can completely fill a space, and many have tremendous penetrating power. They can be used to treat objects(furniture), structures, grain, and even soil for pest insects and other vermin. Fumigants are among the most hazardous pesticide products to use due to their extreme inhalation danger.

Define adjuvant

An adjuvant is any compound that facilitates the action of pesticides or modifies characteristics of pesticide formulations or spray solutions.

List common examples of the major types of adjuvants

Activator adjuvants, spray modifier, utility modifiers.

State the best source for determining when an adjuvant may be needed.

Spray modifier agents and utility modifier agents usually are found as part of the pesticide formulation and are added to the pesticide product by the manufacturer. Before using any adjuvant, read the pesticide label. Many pesticide products have very specific recommendations on their labels for adjuvant use.

Define the term “pesticide compatibility”

Pesticides are compatible when they can be mixed and applied without reducing the effectiveness or changing the physical and chemical properties of the mixture

What is the general mix order when multiple products are tank mixed?

1. Fill tank 1/3 of the way with water.
2. Start agitation.
3. Add suspension products: first, dry formulations then liquids.
4. Add solution products
5. Add emulsifiable concentrates.
6. Add surfactants or other adjuvants, as needed.
7. Add additional water to top off tank.

Compare concepts of acute and chronic toxicity

a. Acute- single exposure with short duration- headache, nausea, rash, irritations of skin or eyes
b. Chronic- numerous small exposers repeated over time with delayed or long-term health effects

List of common routes to exposure

Dermal (skin or eyes), oral (mouth), inhalation (lungs)

State each of the three signal words and their meaning

a. Danger: highly toxic
b. Warning: moderately toxic
c. Caution: slightly toxic

explain why mixing is potentially the most hazardous operation for the applicator

That allows for the most potential exposure on the hands and forearms and then the eyes as well, handling them in their most concentrated form

General First Aid for if product gets on skin

Remove clothing and wash pesticide off the victim to prevent continued exposure.

General First Aid if product gets in eyes

Wash with clean running water at body temperature (15+minutes)

General First Aid if product is Ingested

Act IMMEDIATELY.
Read first aid section of product label.
Label will indicate if vomiting should be induced.
Don't induce vomiting if victim is unconscious or convulsive.

General First Aid if product is inhaled

If victim is in enclosed area wear proper PPE when retrieving
Carry away to fresh air and loosen clothing, if they stop breathing apply artificial respiration.

Given a product label identify appropriate PPE for various handling activities.

Long sleeves, long pants, gloves, aprons, protective eyewear, waterproof shoes, etc

How to properly clean used PPE

Presoak clothing in hot water contains heavy-duty liquid detergent.
Start wash cycle after presoak cycle is drained.
Run washer again in order to wash itself after removing clothing.
Line drying is preferred in order to avoid contaminating dryer.

How to properly store PPE

Must be stored away from pesticides.

What do you do with clothing heavily contaminated with pesticides?

Discard of it!

Given a product label, identify post application clean up practices

always refer to the specific product label, which will contain instructions for cleaning equipment, disposing of excess product, and handling any spills or contaminated materials

best practices for laundering applicator work clothing

clothing contaminated w/ liquid concentrates should be disposed of as household hazardous waste. Non absorbent items such as certain types of chemical resistant, gloves boots, and aprons can be washed and reused

Describe best management practices when Transporting pesticides

i. Vehicle must be in safe operating condition.
ii. Best- back of an open pick-up truck traveling at posted speed
ii. Less ideal- vans, and SUVs with windows open
iii. Travel at posted speed.
iiii. Never leave an unsecured vehicle unattended if contains pesticides.

Describe the characteristics of an ideal pesticide storage facility, including site location.

a. Located away from human and livestock habitats, not in a flood zone, a separate dedicated pesticide structure, and any runoff will not contaminate groundwater.
b. Also- consider wind, proximity to other areas, fire hazards, and availability of emergency response services

Given a product label identify storage facility, including site location

look for the storage and disposal section

Describe the risks of inadequate pesticide storage security.

a. Risks to public health/safety and environmental issues (poisoning, injuries, groundwater contamination)

List best practices to ensure pesticide facility site security

Keep the storage site neat and tidy- see pesticide labels, detect leakage or corrosion, get two weeks or spills to clean them up

State why it is important to maintain an accurate pesticide product inventory.

Mark pesticide containers with the day of purchase and rotate inventory to ensure the oldest material is used first, that way product does not go to waste or expires

List five important elements of an incident response (emergency action) plan.

A designated emergency coordinator,

a list of names and telephone numbers of response agencies that may require notification,

in outline or a fill in form of critical information to give emergency personnel,

a facility map that shows the layout of all chemical storage buildings and bulk storage tanks,

a product inventory of chemicals stored at the facility

State where to maintain a copy of the company's incident response plan.

Store the emergency response plan, including product inventory and area map, separate from the facility. inform local emergency responders where this information can be found.

Identify who, outside of the company, should have a copy of the incident response plan and up-to-date facility map.

Provide emergency response agencies with an updated copy of the facility map and area map whenever changes are made

Define the term "service container".

defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as containers that are filled with an EPA registered pesticide buying applicator an usually transported to a used site where the pesticide will be applied by the applicator

List the information that must be attached to a pesticide service container.

Pesticide labels to include statements identifying the container as non refillable or refillable and providing instructions on how to handle and clean it

Describe how to triple-rinse (or equivalent) an emptied pesticide container.

Flushing all containers three times each using a volume of the normal diluent equal to approximately 10% of the containers could capacity in adding the rinse state to the spray mixture

Describe how to prepare multi-layer bags for disposal

Empty the contents of the bag into the tank, shake the bag to remove as much product as possible, cut the sides and fold to fully open the bag and add any remaining pesticide to the tank, dispose of the cotton flat and bag in a sanitary landfill.

List legal means for disposal of emptied pesticide containers in Indiana.

Dispose of containers in a sanitary landfill or offer for recycling if applicable

Identify container recycling opportunities.

Reusable opportunities