The use of specific chemical products to control insects or weeds is regulated by the Texas Department of Agriculture and is granted to those qualified as private pesticide applicators. A private pesticide applicator is someone who uses or supervises the use of restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides to produce an agricultural commodity on:
• Personally owned property,
• Rented property,
• Property owned by his or her employer,
• Property under his or her general control or
• The property of another person if applied without compensation, other than the trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities.
An agricultural commodity is a plant or animal grown for sale, lease, barter, feed or human consumption and animals raised for farm or ranch work.
No license is required to apply general-use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities. Licensed private applicators are required to recertify every five years by obtaining 15 continuing education credits, including two credits each in laws and regulations, and integrated pest management (IPM) prior to expiration of the license.
To satisfy this requirement, the Hopkins County Extension Office has organized a five CEU Private Applicator Session scheduled for Nov. 4. Registration is required by calling 903-885-3443.
During this training, 1 hour will be for IPM and 1 hour will be for laws and regulations, three general. The fee to attend the training is $30 with lunch included. This training is partially sponsored by the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization.
For more information, contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at m-villarino@tamu.edu.