Pest workshop begins next week

RENO — University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, is offering a free workshop on Wednesday to train people throughout the state how to properly use pesticides to control Northern Nevada vertebrate pests. The workshop is meant for certified applicators, people who regularly handle pesticides as part of their jobs, such as farmers, ranchers, park employees and groundskeepers. Attendees will receive continuing education units.

Limited seating is available for the workshop. Preregister by today online at http://2-3-16vertebrate-pest-control-workshop.eventbrite.com, or by contacting 775-336-0247 or hefnerm@unce.unr.edu. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call at least three days prior to the scheduled event.

The training will be held in Cooperative Extension offices at 4955 Energy Way in Reno; 701 S. Main St. in Eureka; and 1058 Fairgrounds Road in Winnemucca. It will also be available via interactive video to 10 other Cooperative Extension locations throughout Northern Nevada, including Battle Mountain, Caliente, Carson City, Elko, Ely, Fallon, Gardnerville, Lovelock, Tonopah and Yerington. The training runs from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, has offered pesticide application workshops for the last 20 years, training thousands of Nevadans in safe pesticide use.

“This training seeks to provide certified pesticide applicators with additional education on pesticide safety — topics not covered during basic trainings.” Cooperative Extension Urban Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide Safety Program Assistant Melody Hefner said. “It’s important for applicators to keep abreast of new pesticide developments and regulatory updates.”

The Feb. 3 workshop is not intended to help those who have not yet been certified to prepare for the Certified Pesticide Applicator exam. However, the exam will be offered on Feb. 4 at 8 a.m. at the Cooperative Extension office in Eureka, and at 1 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension office in Winnemucca. The exam costs $50, cash or check only, with checks payable to the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Exams are also given weekly at the Nevada Department of Agriculture offices in Sparks and Las Vegas by appointment only.

Hard copies of the study manual for the exam are available for purchase from Cooperative Extension for $15 or may be downloaded online for free at www.nevadapesticideeducation.com.