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Important Information for Pesticide Applicators

Pesticide Applicator Certification
 
A Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License is required for a person who applies pesticides to the land of another person for hire, or who directs these type pesticide applications. A firm applying pesticides for hire must also have a Pesticide Contractor’s License. Both of these licenses can be obtained through the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
 
Pesticide certification is handled by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (800) 282-5852 extension 4958, (404) 656-4958 or http://agr.georgia.gov  
 
Commercial pesticide licensing requirements & information on obtaining a license are available at http://tinyurl.com/pestFAQs.
 
A few Extension programs offer a pesticide license review to prepare workers to take the commercial pesticide applicators exam. There is also a DVD recording of one of these trainings that you can use as a study guide. This is meant to supplement the manuals, not to replace them. You need to study the manuals as well before the exam. Contact your local Extension agent for details.
Pesticide Applicator Re-certification Opportunities
 
Certified pesticide applicators must be recertified every five years through ongoing training. There are several ways applicators can earn re-certification credits:
 
This site lists GA Department of Agriculture approved recertification classes (including UGA Extension trainings) - http://www.kellysolutions.com/GA/Applicators/Courses/courseindex.htm
 
Applicators can also take online re-certification classes - http://tinyurl.com/pestinfo or local UGA Extension Offices can get a DVD that certified applicators watch to gain up to five hours of credit.
 
Other Pesticide Applicator Licensing and Certification information can be located athttp://tinyurl.com/pestinfo
 
UGA Pest Management Handbook
 
UGA Extension produces an annual Pest Management Handbook. The handbook has many uses for pesticide applicators. It includes:
 
  • Pesticide recommendations for most major pests and crops. This can include pesticide rates, recommendations on application, post harvest or re-entry intervals and other information.
  • Pesticide handling and safety information.
 
The Handbook can be accessed online at http://www.ent.uga.edu/pmh/. You can also purchase printed copies from this website. UGA Extension produces two editions – one for homeowners and one for commercial agricultural businesses (which includes landscapers, nurseries, golf courses and greenhouses.)
 
The 2009 Turfgrass Pest Control Recommendations for Professionals is available in free print copies through Extension offices or is online at www.GeorgiaTurf.com.
 
Specimen Pesticide Labels and MSDS Sheets
(These are not all University sites. We include these here for your convenience.
Listing a site here or omitting another site is not a recommendation of one site over another)
 
Find pesticide labels online! Remember; though other information is helpful – the label is the law! Always read and follow all label directions when using pesticides.
 
Some sources for pesticide labels include:
 
EPA Label database - http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/pestlabels/ Uses pesticide registration and company numbers to identify pesticides.
To find labels online, you can use a good search engine and search using the pesticide’s name and the words ‘specimen label’.
 
MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheets tell how to use a pesticide safely and give other information on the pesticide and hazards associated with using it.
 
 
Emergency Information for Spills & Similar Issues
In a life threatening emergency - dial 911
 
National Poison Control Hotline – (800) 222-1222 or (404) 616-9000 - 24 hours a day (for any type poisoning – not just pesticides)
 
Pesticide fires/large spills/emergencies/violations in Georgia – Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Response Team – (800) 241-4113.
 
Spills on Georgia roadways – Georgia State Patrol – Dial *GSP (*477) from any mobile phone.
 
Large chemical and oil spills – National Response Center 24-hour Spill Reporting Hotline - (800) 424-8802
 
Federal EPA (Region 4) 24-hour Spill Reporting Number – (404) 562-8700
 
Pesticide Removal/Cleanup Public Information Line – Region 4 Emergency Response & Removal Branch (8 am – 5 pm) (800) 564-7577
 
Information on small spills – National Pesticide Information Center – (800) 858-7378
 

Other Pesticide Information

 
Pesticide disposal – GA Department of Agriculture – (800) 282-5852 or http://agr.georgia.gov
 
Information about risks of specific pesticides - Extension Toxicology Network http://extoxnet.orst.edu/  Especially note the PIPS or Pesticide Information Profiles (http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/pips.html)
 
Information about specific pesticides – National Pesticide Information Center – (800) 858-7378 or http://npic.orst.edu/
 
Reducing pesticide risks using Integrated Pest Management – http://ipm.ent.uga.edu/
 
Online safety videos (www.ugaurbanag.com) make a great 'rainy day' or 'any day' training in English or Spanish.
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