CFS432 Vertebrate Pesticide Control Methods

Program Overview

Through lectures, workshops, and assessments, participants gain expertise in pesticide use, safety protocols, and various control methods for possums and rats. The program prepares graduates for careers in pest control, conservation, and biosecurity.

Program Outline

This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to implement the Department of Conservation's (DOC) best practices for vertebrate pest control in your region. It also covers the prerequisites for compliance certification to use specific certified substances under the HSNO and AVCM acts.

Objectives

Upon completion of this program, you will be able to:

• Describe task specifications for pesticide use.
• Demonstrate competency for compliance certification requirements.
• Demonstrate the technical specifications for selected control methods in a field situation.
• Describe other pesticides.

Outline

Program Content

This program covers the following topics:

• Hazard classifications
• Properties and adverse effects of pesticides
• Complying with legal controls
• Precautions and emergency procedures
• Establishing permanent and temporary transect lines
• 1080 cereal baits in possum bait stations
• Feratox potassium cyanide strikers for possums
• Cholecalciferol D3 in bait bags for rats
• Other pesticides such as:
• PestOff rat bait 50D
• Pindone and diphacinone possum and rat pellets
• Brodifacoum rodent bait 20R
• Cholecalciferol DeCal possum bait and other blocks and hard pastes

Course Schedule and Modules

The course consists of the following modules:

• Module 1: Hazard Classifications and Properties of Pesticides (3 days)
• Module 2: Legal Controls and Complying with Regulations (2 days)
• Module 3: Safe Handling of Pesticides and Emergency Procedures (1 day)
• Module 4: Establishing Transect Lines and Monitoring Techniques (1 day)
• Module 5: Control Methods for Possums (2 days)
• Module 6: Control Methods for Rats (1 day)
• Module 7: Other Pesticides and Their Applications (1 day)

Workshop Dates

Please note that the workshop dates differ from the course start date.

Assessment

Assessment Methods

The program is assessed through a combination of:

• Assignments: Written assignments assessing understanding of key concepts
• Practical Assessments: Demonstrations of competency in field techniques

Teaching

Teaching Methods

The program is delivered through a combination of:

• Lectures: Interactive lectures introducing key concepts
• Practical Workshops: Hands-on training in field techniques
• Group Discussions: Collaborative learning and problem-solving

Faculty

The program is taught by experienced professionals from the conservation field, including:

• Jo Ritchie, Conservation Tutor (view profile)

Careers

Career Outcomes

This program prepares graduates for various careers in pest control, including:

• Pest Control Operator
• Conservation Ranger
• Biosecurity Officer
• This program does not cover pest control design for a site or operational planning of selected control methods.