Pesticide Applicator Series: Introduction to Pest Management - The IPM Approach

A successful pest management program includes the ability to properly identify pests, monitor populations, and evaluate control methods based on the level of need.

In this course, you will explore the basic themes and methods of pest management, as well as the challenges that modern pest management programs face.

You will gain an appreciation for management techniques that balance the need for pest control and a desire for environmental stewardship.

Designed for pesticide applicators

If you are currently a licensed pesticide applicator or consultant, you will earn one (1) continuing education credit by completing this course.

This course can also help you prepare for your certification exams if you seek to become a licensed apprentice, a commercial applicator, a private applicator, a public applicator or a pesticide consultant. Learning materials in this course include information covered in the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define “pest.”
• State the four main groups of pests and give an example of each.
• Discuss the importance of pest identification in pest control.
• List six general pest management methods.
• Define “integrated pest management (IPM).”
• List five benefits of using IPM.
• Discuss how using one or more control options can improve pest control.
• Describe how selectivity and persistence affect chemical controls.
• Explain how pest population levels trigger control procedures.
• Distinguish between prevention and suppression when developing pest management goals.
• Give several reasons why pesticide applications may fail.
• Explain the importance of a pesticide’s mode of action in managing pesticide resistance.
• List two tactics that will minimize the development of pesticide resistance.

Pesticide Recertification Credit

The following courses are currently approved by Oregon Department of Agriculture for Pesticide Certification and license renewal:

• Introduction to Pest Management: The IPM Approach
• Getting Tough with Pests and Going Soft on Pollinators
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Pesticide Labels and Formulations
• Zinc Phosphide: Baiting for Belding's Ground Squirrels in Oregon
• The Label is the Law: How to Read a Pesticide Label
• FIFRA, OAR, ORS, and WPS: The ABC's of Pesticide Law in Oregon
• Disease Prevention and Diagnosis for Nursery Crops (English)
• Pest Identification - The Cornerstone of Every Pest Management Program
• ODA and You - Pesticide Licensing, Recordkeeping, and Compliance
• Pesticides, Pollinators, and the Planet - Your role as an applicator
• Pesticide Transport, Storage, and Security - Methods to Reduce Risk
• Pesticide Emergency Response Plans - Make Them Before You Need Them
• Pesticide Formulations, Equipment, and Calibration - The One With All the Math
• Planning Ahead - Your Pesticide Application Action Plan
• Personal Protective Equipment - PPE is your new BFF
• Plant Disease Prevention and Diagnosis for Nursery Crops

At this time our online courses are not approved for Washington or Idaho state recertification. 

Interested in on-site pesticide recertification courses? Click here for details.

IMPORTANT: Final grade reporting to the state will include grades released as of December 31. Our system takes 24 hours for grades to release, to ensure your grade will be counted toward the calendar year, you need to complete the final quiz no later than December 30.

Each of our courses in the Pesticide Applicator series can also count as Continuing Education Hours for the Oregon State Landscape Contractors Board.