PESTICIDE APPLICATOR CORE
TRAINING MANUAL
CERTIFICATION,
RECERTIFICATION AND
REGISTERED TECHNICIAN
TRAINING
Part A
Required reading for:
■ Private pesticide applicators
■ Commercial pesticide applicators
■ Registered technicians
,Part A and Part B
Required reading for:
■ Private pesticide applicators
Julie Stachecki Johanningsmeier, editor
2002 revisions by Carolyn J. Randall
,Contributors Chapter Reviewers:
This manual, “Pesticide Applicator Core Training Bradley L. Aaron, academic specialist, Environmental
Manual: Certification, Recertification and Registered Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Technician Training, Parts A and B” was produced by Steve Allen, Countrymark Cooperative, Inc., Indianapolis,
Michigan State University, Pesticide Education Program IN
in conjunction with the Michigan Department of
Agriculture with Dr. Larry Olsen providing overall sup- Ned Birkey, Monroe county agriculture and natural
port and leadership. The following team members gen- resources agent, Michigan State University Extension,
erously gave their time and contributed their expertise Monroe, MI
by reviewing various segments of this manual. Their Ben Darling, environmental engineer, site response man-
input guided the creation and direction of this training ager, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Lansing, MI
material. We would like to give them distinct recognition Mike Kamrin, professor, Environmental Toxicology,
and thanks for their commitment to assisting the Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Pesticide Education Program staff with this project.
Dale Mutch, district crop integrated pest management
agent, Michigan State University Extension, Hickory
Corners, MI
Manuscript Reviewers: Sandy Perry, extension associate, Pesticide Education
Program, Michigan State University Extension, East
Jan Castanza, Urban Pest Management, DowElanco, Lansing, MI
Bowling Green, OH
Jeffrey Rohlena, Raven Industries, Sioux Falls, SD
Elaine Chittenden, collections manager, Grounds
Maintenance, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI Robin Rosenbaum, pesticide registration manager,
Michigan Department of Agriculture, Lansing, MI
Gina Davis, pesticide certification manager, Michigan
Department of Agriculture, Lansing, MI Brian Rowe, pesticide enforcement coordinator, Michigan
Department of Agriculture, Lansing, MI
Tim Doppel, Atwood LawnCare, Inc. Sterling Heights, MI
Mark Swartz, groundwater manager, Michigan
Doug Foytek, Aquatrol, Inc., Clarkston, MI Department of Agriculture, Lansing, MI
Lynnae Jess, extension associate, Pesticide Education Bob Wilkinson, agricultural engineer, Agricultural
Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Dan Rajzer, Cass county agriculture and natural resource
agent, Michigan State University Extension, Cassopolis,
MI
Bob Mansfield, Citizens Elevator, Vermontville, MI Acknowledgements
George McManus III, Benton Harbor, MI Materials from several sources were used to compile
Carol Osborne, East Michigan Environmental Action this information with significant input from the national
Council, Grosse Pointe, MI core training manuals “Applying Pesticides Correctly:
A Guide for Commercial and Private Pesticide
Greg Patchan, Oakland county agriculture and natural Applicators,” and “Applying Pesticides Correctly:
resource agent, Michigan State University Extension, Private Applicator Supplement” as well as “Pest
Pontiac, MI Management Principles for the Private Applicator” by
Natalie Rector, Calhoun county agriculture and natural University of Wisconsin.
resource agent, Michigan State University Extension, We would like to express our thanks to the following
Marshall, MI people for assisting in the production of this manual:
Paul Wylie, Allegan county agriculture and natural Larry G. Olsen, pesticide education coordinator,
resource agent, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan State University Extension; Leslie Johnson,
Allegan, MI MSU Extension Outreach Communications; Dave
Roberts, MSU Department of Botany and Plant
Pathology; Gary Van Ee, MSU Department of Agri-
cultural Engineering; Karen Renner, MSU Crop and Soil
Science Department; Phil Korson, Cherry Marketing
Institute; Tom Weise, Michigan Department of Natural
Resources; Gary Thornton and Jim Bardenhagen,
Michigan State University Extension; and Ken Dettmer,
Graphicom, East Lansing, MI.
2
, Table of Contents
Contributors ................................................................................................................ 2
Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................... 2
How to use this manual ..................................................................................................... 6
Part A: Commercial and private applicators and registered technicians
Chapter 1 Principles of Pest Management............................................................................ 11
Pest Management Strategies .................................................................................................................................... 12
Integrated Pest Management ................................................................................................................................... 12
Techniques Used in Pest Management ................................................................................................................... 14
Pest Control Failures ................................................................................................................................................. 16
Chapter 2 Laws and Regulations........................................................................................ 18
Federal Laws .............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Michigan Laws .......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Chapter 3 Pesticides...................................................................................................... 30
Classification .............................................................................................................................................................. 31
Pesticide Formulations ............................................................................................................................................. 34
Compatibility of Pesticides ...................................................................................................................................... 40
Chapter 4 Pesticide Labeling and Registration ........................................................................ 44
EPA Approval of Pesticide Labeling ....................................................................................................................... 45
Parts of Pesticide Labeling ....................................................................................................................................... 45
Three Methods of Rating Hazardous Materials .................................................................................................... 49
Chapter 5 Pesticides in the Environment .............................................................................. 54
Sources of Contamination ........................................................................................................................................ 55
Pesticide Movement.................................................................................................................................................. 56
Processes Affecting Pesticides.................................................................................................................................. 57
Surface Water Contamination .................................................................................................................................. 58
Groundwater Contamination .................................................................................................................................. 58
Factors Affecting Surface and Groundwater Contamination .............................................................................. 60
Pesticide Effects on Nontarget Plants and Animals .............................................................................................. 63
Harmful Effects on Surfaces .................................................................................................................................... 64
Chapter 6 Pesticides and Human Health ............................................................................... 66
Pesticide Hazards ...................................................................................................................................................... 67
Exposure: How Pesticides Enter the Body............................................................................................................. 67
Acute Toxicity and Signal Words............................................................................................................................ 69
Acute Effects and First Aid ...................................................................................................................................... 70
Insecticide Poisonings............................................................................................................................................... 71
Chronic and Other Delayed Effects ........................................................................................................................ 72
Allergic Effects ........................................................................................................................................................... 73
Heat Stress.................................................................................................................................................................. 73
Heat Cramps .............................................................................................................................................................. 74
3
TRAINING MANUAL
CERTIFICATION,
RECERTIFICATION AND
REGISTERED TECHNICIAN
TRAINING
Part A
Required reading for:
■ Private pesticide applicators
■ Commercial pesticide applicators
■ Registered technicians
,Part A and Part B
Required reading for:
■ Private pesticide applicators
Julie Stachecki Johanningsmeier, editor
2002 revisions by Carolyn J. Randall
,Contributors Chapter Reviewers:
This manual, “Pesticide Applicator Core Training Bradley L. Aaron, academic specialist, Environmental
Manual: Certification, Recertification and Registered Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Technician Training, Parts A and B” was produced by Steve Allen, Countrymark Cooperative, Inc., Indianapolis,
Michigan State University, Pesticide Education Program IN
in conjunction with the Michigan Department of
Agriculture with Dr. Larry Olsen providing overall sup- Ned Birkey, Monroe county agriculture and natural
port and leadership. The following team members gen- resources agent, Michigan State University Extension,
erously gave their time and contributed their expertise Monroe, MI
by reviewing various segments of this manual. Their Ben Darling, environmental engineer, site response man-
input guided the creation and direction of this training ager, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Lansing, MI
material. We would like to give them distinct recognition Mike Kamrin, professor, Environmental Toxicology,
and thanks for their commitment to assisting the Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Pesticide Education Program staff with this project.
Dale Mutch, district crop integrated pest management
agent, Michigan State University Extension, Hickory
Corners, MI
Manuscript Reviewers: Sandy Perry, extension associate, Pesticide Education
Program, Michigan State University Extension, East
Jan Castanza, Urban Pest Management, DowElanco, Lansing, MI
Bowling Green, OH
Jeffrey Rohlena, Raven Industries, Sioux Falls, SD
Elaine Chittenden, collections manager, Grounds
Maintenance, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI Robin Rosenbaum, pesticide registration manager,
Michigan Department of Agriculture, Lansing, MI
Gina Davis, pesticide certification manager, Michigan
Department of Agriculture, Lansing, MI Brian Rowe, pesticide enforcement coordinator, Michigan
Department of Agriculture, Lansing, MI
Tim Doppel, Atwood LawnCare, Inc. Sterling Heights, MI
Mark Swartz, groundwater manager, Michigan
Doug Foytek, Aquatrol, Inc., Clarkston, MI Department of Agriculture, Lansing, MI
Lynnae Jess, extension associate, Pesticide Education Bob Wilkinson, agricultural engineer, Agricultural
Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Dan Rajzer, Cass county agriculture and natural resource
agent, Michigan State University Extension, Cassopolis,
MI
Bob Mansfield, Citizens Elevator, Vermontville, MI Acknowledgements
George McManus III, Benton Harbor, MI Materials from several sources were used to compile
Carol Osborne, East Michigan Environmental Action this information with significant input from the national
Council, Grosse Pointe, MI core training manuals “Applying Pesticides Correctly:
A Guide for Commercial and Private Pesticide
Greg Patchan, Oakland county agriculture and natural Applicators,” and “Applying Pesticides Correctly:
resource agent, Michigan State University Extension, Private Applicator Supplement” as well as “Pest
Pontiac, MI Management Principles for the Private Applicator” by
Natalie Rector, Calhoun county agriculture and natural University of Wisconsin.
resource agent, Michigan State University Extension, We would like to express our thanks to the following
Marshall, MI people for assisting in the production of this manual:
Paul Wylie, Allegan county agriculture and natural Larry G. Olsen, pesticide education coordinator,
resource agent, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan State University Extension; Leslie Johnson,
Allegan, MI MSU Extension Outreach Communications; Dave
Roberts, MSU Department of Botany and Plant
Pathology; Gary Van Ee, MSU Department of Agri-
cultural Engineering; Karen Renner, MSU Crop and Soil
Science Department; Phil Korson, Cherry Marketing
Institute; Tom Weise, Michigan Department of Natural
Resources; Gary Thornton and Jim Bardenhagen,
Michigan State University Extension; and Ken Dettmer,
Graphicom, East Lansing, MI.
2
, Table of Contents
Contributors ................................................................................................................ 2
Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................... 2
How to use this manual ..................................................................................................... 6
Part A: Commercial and private applicators and registered technicians
Chapter 1 Principles of Pest Management............................................................................ 11
Pest Management Strategies .................................................................................................................................... 12
Integrated Pest Management ................................................................................................................................... 12
Techniques Used in Pest Management ................................................................................................................... 14
Pest Control Failures ................................................................................................................................................. 16
Chapter 2 Laws and Regulations........................................................................................ 18
Federal Laws .............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Michigan Laws .......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Chapter 3 Pesticides...................................................................................................... 30
Classification .............................................................................................................................................................. 31
Pesticide Formulations ............................................................................................................................................. 34
Compatibility of Pesticides ...................................................................................................................................... 40
Chapter 4 Pesticide Labeling and Registration ........................................................................ 44
EPA Approval of Pesticide Labeling ....................................................................................................................... 45
Parts of Pesticide Labeling ....................................................................................................................................... 45
Three Methods of Rating Hazardous Materials .................................................................................................... 49
Chapter 5 Pesticides in the Environment .............................................................................. 54
Sources of Contamination ........................................................................................................................................ 55
Pesticide Movement.................................................................................................................................................. 56
Processes Affecting Pesticides.................................................................................................................................. 57
Surface Water Contamination .................................................................................................................................. 58
Groundwater Contamination .................................................................................................................................. 58
Factors Affecting Surface and Groundwater Contamination .............................................................................. 60
Pesticide Effects on Nontarget Plants and Animals .............................................................................................. 63
Harmful Effects on Surfaces .................................................................................................................................... 64
Chapter 6 Pesticides and Human Health ............................................................................... 66
Pesticide Hazards ...................................................................................................................................................... 67
Exposure: How Pesticides Enter the Body............................................................................................................. 67
Acute Toxicity and Signal Words............................................................................................................................ 69
Acute Effects and First Aid ...................................................................................................................................... 70
Insecticide Poisonings............................................................................................................................................... 71
Chronic and Other Delayed Effects ........................................................................................................................ 72
Allergic Effects ........................................................................................................................................................... 73
Heat Stress.................................................................................................................................................................. 73
Heat Cramps .............................................................................................................................................................. 74
3
