‘Managing Stinging Insects for Pesticide Applicators’ course hosted by Penn State Extension

(The following news release was provided verbatim by Penn State Extension)

Penn State Extension will offer “Managing Stinging Insects for Pesticide Applicators,” an online course designed for pesticide applicators to learn to identify, assess, and make informed, safe decisions to manage bees, wasps and hornets, including the appropriate pesticides to use.

In this course, pesticide applicators will learn to identify common bees, wasps and hornets using physical characteristics, nesting habits and behavioral cues. Participants will learn how to determine when management is warranted and develop an effective nest treatment plan when necessary.

Topics include nest removal considerations, preparation and application practices, prevention and repair options, and an overview of active ingredients and example products used for stinging insect control.

Through videos, detailed readings, interactive scenarios and “check your learning” questions, this course equips participants with practical tools to make informed, environmentally responsible decisions, according to instructors.

This course has two sections. At the end of each section is a short quiz. Participants must achieve a score of 80% or higher on the quizzes to pass the course and earn two Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Category 11, 18 or 23 credits, and a certificate of completion.

Among other topics, the course will cover how to:

• Recognize the difference between social and solitary stinging insects and which ones are threats to people.
• Identify common stinging insects that may need to be removed.
• Develop and implement effective and environmentally responsible strategies to manage stinging insects.

Participants can register for the course for a fee of $18.75.

More information is available on the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/managing-stinging-insects-for-pesticide-applicators.