Pest Management ENVH 1124

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Describe and discuss the role of the PHI/EHO in pest management.
• Identify the basic factors involved in the identification and control of pests.
• Define key terminology including Pests, Vectors, Metamorphosis, Resistance, Infestation
• Describe current and historic vector-borne diseases of significance
• Describe the goals of pest management.
• Compare natural control strategies (climate, predators, food, water, shelter) with applied controls (host resistance, biological, cultural, mechanical and chemical controls, and sanitation).
• Describe typical Health Department response policies to various health complaints.
• Explain when pest management becomes necessary.
• Interpret and apply legislation which enables or obligates the PHI/EHO to become involved in pest management.
• Describe and discuss Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Explain the concepts and six basic principles of integrated pest management (acceptable pest levels, preventive cultural practices, monitoring, mechanical controls, biological controls, responsible pesticide use
• Discuss the pros and cons of IPM.
• Identify non-chemical pest control methods.
• Describe investigative methods to validate presence or infestation of various pests.
• Identify the strategies and processes used in successful pest control.
• Apply IPM principles to pest scenarios the PHI/EHO may encounter in practice.
• Explain the process of developing an integrated pest management plan.
• Identify vertebrate and invertebrate pests and vectors of public health significance.
• List the classes of arthropods important in public health.
• Identify common pests likely to be encountered by citizens engaging in common activities (bedbugs, cockroaches, silverfish, mice, rats, ticks, spiders, food storage pests, flies, mosquitoes)
• Describe the various types of insect metamorphosis and the role this plays in identification and control.
• Describe and discuss the public health significance, identification, and control of cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes, ectoparasites, food (stored product) pests, miscellaneous invertebrate pests, rodents, birds, and various nuisance pests.
• Identify emerging issues, such as climate change and cosmetic pesticide bans, and their impact on existing and potential pests of health significance
• Describe and/or demonstrate the use of chemical, physical, and biological control devices and materials available for use in integrated pest management programs for preventing and eliminating pest infestations typically encountered by the PHI/EHO.
• Describe the terminology associated with chemical, physical, and biological control technology.
• Identify federal law governing control and handling of pesticides.
• Identify provincial laws governing the use and transportation of pesticides.
• Differentiate between the various classes and formulations of pesticides.
• Assess the risk of toxicological and environmental effects associated with the use of pesticides in urban, forestry, agricultural, and other pest control operations.
• Describe the pesticide registration and permit use application processes in Canada and/or BC and the toxicological and other health data associated with these protocols.
• Describe the role of the PHI/EHO in the review of pesticide use permit applications for urban, forestry, agricultural purposes and other community use of pesticides.
• Explain the process for obtaining a pesticide applicators certificate in BC.
• Conduct an inspection of commercial and residential premises and apply the pest management principles learned in the course (This may also be covered by way of assignment(s) and/or guest lectures by those working in the industry).​

Effective as of Fall 2023