Every year I get questions about how to obtain a pesticide license to enable an applicator to purchase and use restricted use pesticides.  Obtaining a license requires passing an Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) administered exam. OSU Extension Wayne County has set up testing dates with ODA for the end of 2018 and into the 2019 year to allow private and commercial applicators to obtain a pesticide applicators license. To obtain a license, applicators must take and pass a core exam plus one or more specific category exam(s). The cost of a private applicator license is $30 and a commercial applicator license is $35.  ODA personnel administer the tests and all testing will take place in Fisher Auditorium Conference Room on the OARDC campus in Wooster from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm on the following dates:

• Wednesday December 12, 2018

• Tuesday, January 15, 2019
• Wednesday, February 13, 2019
• Thursday, March 14, 2019
• Tuesday, April 9, 2019
• Thursday, May 2, 2019

There are a limited amount of spaces available for each testing session.  Once the spaces are filled, the testing session is closed.  Register to reserve a spot online at http://go.osu.edu/ODAexamregistration, or by phone to the ODA Pesticide Division at 614-728-6987, then press 1 for pesticide licensing.

Anyone taking an exam will be required to show photo identification or some form of identification.

Private applicators are encouraged to obtain study materials from the Wayne County Extension office before taking the exam.  Our office tries to keep copies of some of the more commonly needed study materials on hand, but in some cases it may be necessary to order study materials.  Plan ahead; it will take 7-14 days for ordered materials to arrive.  In addition, some study materials are available on-line.  More information about study materials for private pesticide applicators is available on-line at https://pested.osu.edu/home/privateapplicator/studymaterials .

Persons testing for a commercial applicator license should also obtain study materials before the exam date.  Study materials are sent by mail from the Ohio Department of Agriculture when an application for a commercial pesticide license is made.  More information about the commercial license procedure is available on-line at https://pested.osu.edu/commercialapplicator/licensing .

 

Bed Bug App Available

Susan Jones, an Ohio State University entomology professor and an expert on bed bugs has created a bed bug app.  The app is entitled the “Bed Bug Field Guide” and includes photos to help users identify bed bugs and symptoms of bed bug activity.  In addition, the app includes multiple chapters on bed bug prevention, control options, and what to do and what not to do in case of a bed bug infestation.  The app is available for Android and iOS devices and is a free download.  Search for Bed Bug Field Guide in the App Store and Google Play Store.  As new information regarding bed bugs becomes available, the app will be updated.