Notes on Employee Registration Examination for Pest Control in Georgia

General Overview

• Manual for technicians preparing for the Employee Registration Examination.
• Published by the Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission (GSPCC) & Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA).

Employee Registration Requirements

• Pre-registration requirements:
  • 10 hours of classroom training.
  • 70 hours of supervised on-the-job training.
  • Passing a written exam.
• Registered Technicians: Must attend ongoing training to maintain certification.

Laws & Regulations

Federal Regulations

• FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act):
  • Regulates pesticide registration and labeling.
  • Classifies pesticides as General Use or Restricted Use.
  • Requires certification for restricted use pesticide application.
• Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA): Establishes tolerance levels for pesticide exposure.
• Endangered Species Act: Ensures pesticides don’t harm protected species.
• Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA): Requires record-keeping of work-related injuries and deaths.

Georgia-Specific Laws

• Structural Pest Control Act (SPCA):
  • Pest control companies must be licensed.
  • At least one Certified Operator required per company.
• Fair Business Practices Act: Allows customers to cancel contracts within three business days.
• Hazardous Waste Management Act: Regulates proper disposal of hazardous materials.

Pest Identification & Biology

Major Pest Groups

• Insects & Arthropods: Cockroaches, ants, fleas, flies, termites, etc.
• Vertebrates: Rats, mice, squirrels, birds.
• Wood Decay Fungi.

Metamorphosis Types

• Gradual (Ametabolous): Silverfish.
• Incomplete (Hemimetabolous): Cockroaches, termites, bed bugs.
• Complete (Holometabolous): Fleas, flies, ants, beetles.

Common Pests

• Cockroaches: Nocturnal, lay eggs in ootheca.
  • German Cockroach: Most common indoor pest.
  • American Cockroach: Prefers sewers and drains.
• Termites: Social insects, major wood destroyers.
  • Subterranean termites: Require soil contact.
  • Drywood termites: Live inside wood, no soil needed.
• Rodents: Rapid breeders, public health risks.
  • Norway rat: Ground burrower, eats meats.
  • Roof rat: Tree and attic dweller, prefers fruits.
  • House mouse: Nests indoors, eats grains.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

• Definition: A strategic approach combining multiple pest control methods.
• IPM Process:
  1. Identify the pest.
  2. Inspect the area.
  3. Communicate findings.
  4. Develop an action plan.
  5. Implement the plan.
  6. Monitor effectiveness.
  7. Revise the plan as needed.
  8. Continue monitoring.
• Control Methods:
  • Exclusion: Sealing entry points.
  • Habitat Modification: Removing food, water, and shelter sources.
  • Sanitation: Cleaning up food waste and clutter.
  • Mechanical/Physical Control: Traps, air curtains.
  • Pesticide Application: Used as a last resort.

Pesticides

• Definition: Any chemical or mixture used to control pests.
• Types of Pesticides:
  • Insecticide: Kills insects.
  • Rodenticide: Kills rodents.
  • Miticide/Acaricide: Controls mites, ticks, and spiders.
  • Fumigants: Gas-based pesticides.
• Key EPA Regulations:
  • Label is the Law: Pesticide labels must be followed strictly.
  • Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs): Can only be used by certified applicators.

Safety & Environmental Protection

• Pesticide Handling & Storage:
  • Follow Label & Safety Data Sheet (SDS) instructions.
  • Store in secure, well-ventilated areas away from food.
• Application Techniques:
  • Avoid drift and contamination.
  • Use appropriate protective gear.
• Protecting the Environment:
  • Prevent water contamination.
  • Be aware of impact on non-target species.

Registration & Reregistration Deadlines

• Reregistration training credits: Must be earned before March 1st of each odd-numbered year.
• Registrations, certifications, and licenses expiration: June 30th of each odd-numbered year.

Training Requirements for Reregistration

• Registered Employees must accumulate training hours every two years:
  • Household Pest Control (HPC): 8 hours
  • Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO): 8 hours
  • Fumigation (FUM): 3 hours
• Computer-based training is limited to:
  • 4 hours for HPC and WDO categories.
  • 1 hour for FUM.

Contract & Record-Keeping Requirements

• Contracts for Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) control: Must be kept for 2 years after expiration.
• Reports of inspections and baiting system monitoring: Must be maintained for 2 years.

Important Dates

• Registrations, certifications, and licenses expiration: June 30th of each odd-numbered year.
• Reregistration training credits deadline: March 1st of each odd-numbered year.
• Contract retention for WDO services: 2 years after expiration.
• Registered employee training frequency: Every two years.

These notes are structured to provide a comprehensive overview of the key points regarding pest control employee registration, laws, pest management, and safety protocols as outlined in the manual for technicians in Georgia.