Page 3 - AG 7-2011 Revised 2016

Introduction

Welcome to the agricultural pest control business. The study of this book in preparation for
your exam will help you in undertaking one of the most important and interesting professions in
the world.
Your responsibility will be to use your knowledge and experience to determine where a specific
pest is coming from, why it is there, and what sustenance is maintaining it.
All animals require food, water, and shelter in some form. Once you determine the pest and its
biology you can search your inventory of tools to control it. Providing and training in the use of
this inventory of tools is the responsibility of the company where you work. Pest infestations will
vary locally and regionally and may affect huge numbers of people. It is your job to know the
local and regional pest problems and which ones you will likely have to target in pest control.
Remember that it is YOUR license, and it is your responsibility to further your education and
training in the field.
This guide is not intended to be a complete manual for the study of pest control. Rather, it is
meant to give an applicant an overview of all applicable portions of the law, and by using color
coding and highlighting, it will provide information about which portion a specific section applies
and which subject matter portions are the most important to remember.
We have added our own page numbering system within the paragraphs to help you find which
other rules coincide with that section. We have also used actual pictures to illustrate important
items, signs, equipment, and other things that will make that subject easier to understand.
Finally, the general characteristics and biology of various common insects and weeds are
prominently included throughout the text. We have used pictures and drawings of many insects
and weeds and the damage that they cause to feature the situations that a technician will
probably face in the field. We have purposely not dealt with controls or how to do the job--that
will be up to the individual company methodology.
This manual is copyrighted by ASA in the portions added to the actual California State laws
and rules, including but not limited to drawings, photographs, illustrations, and added text and
highlighting including page numbering, otherwise the actual laws and rules remain in the public
domain.

Corky Mizer

Send comments to www.corkyspest.com

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