By Dr. Frank Escobedo, CEA, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

KINGSVILLE - As temperatures become more pleasant, landowners are planning brush and weed management strategies. To assist landowners, the Extension Office will be providing a private applicator pesticide training November 15th.

A private pesticide applicator is defined as someone who uses or supervises the use of restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides to produce an agricultural commodity (cotton, grain, beef, etc.) 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.

Many of the chemicals available provide effective control, if used properly. However, a pesticide license may be required to purchase and use some of the products. The numerous rules, regulations, and laws that govern the sale and use of pesticides can be confusing.

Individuals interested in obtaining a private applicator license must: attend a private pesticide applicator training, submit an application with appropriate fee to the Texas Department of Agriculture, and pass an exam (score of 70 or better).\

The training is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15th beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Extension Office (729 E. Yoakum). Once the three-hour training is complete, individuals will be given instructions on how to schedule their exam and submit their application to the Texas Department of Agriculture.

License holders who need additional CEUs to remain current can also attend this training. 

Anyone interested must come by the Extension Office no later than November 1st to pay ($50) for the training and study materials. The next training will be scheduled in the Spring.

For additional information on the training or on which license is appropriate for your operation, please call the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office (595-8566).