Integrated Pest Management

Course Number:
AG 201
Transcript Title:
Integrated Pest Management
Created:
Oct 31, 2026
Updated:
Oct 31, 2026
Total Credits:
4
Lecture Hours:
33
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
33
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0

Course Description

Covers the four steps of the EPA’s Integrated Pest Management model. Addresses common pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides used in the Columbia Basin. Focuses on safety, calibration, application methods, indicators for use, and disposal of applied materials. Includes study of major plant and animal pest species of the region and their characteristics. Prepares students to take the Spray Handlers License certification exam. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

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

  1. Identify and apply the four-step US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA’s) Integrated Pest Management model.
  2. Identify major plant, fungi, and animal pest species of the local bio-region.
  3. Recognize the life cycles and timeframes of pest reproduction.
  4. Recognize the predator/prey relationship at the micro and macro level and apply it as a pest control strategy.
  5. Apply pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide control products using best practices.
  6. Apply to take the Pesticide Handlers License exam.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Department requirements:
Meet with Extension agents, Field Representatives, Ag sales professionals and local farmers to learn about the wide-ranging products and practices.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Identify and apply the four-step US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA’s) Integrated Pest Management model.

  • EPA’s four-step IPM model and available resources

    • Identify Pests & Monitor: recognizing the pests present and regularly monitoring their populations and the environment to determine if a problem exists

    • Set Action thresholds: Determine the point at which pest populations or environmental conditions warrant pest control action.

    • Prevent: Implement strategies to prevent pest problems from occurring in the first place, such as using pest-resistant varieties, maintaining good sanitation, and removing pest harborage.

    • Control: If necessary, implement control measures, using a variety of methods, including biological, cultural, and, as a last resort, chemical controls.

  • Case studies for varying scenarios

    • https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-8203-pest-management-guide-tree-fruits-hood-river-dalles-white-salmon-rogue-valley

  • Model variations

    • other universities and agencies add steps for clarification

    • other state variations

Outcome #2: Identify major plant, fungi, and animal pest species of the local bio-region.

  • Identification skills

    • Identification keys

    • Computer apps

    • Where to locate lists of pest and plant species

  • Developing a photo catalog

  • State Extension office service in pest management

Outcome #3: Recognize the life cycles and timeframes of pest reproduction.

  • Stages of development

    • egg, larva, pupae, adult

  • Optimal intervention stages

  • Signs and symptoms of pests on plants

    • https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gallery/common-insects-cause-plant-damage-central-oregon

Outcome #4: Recognize and integrate the predator/prey relationship at the micro and macro level of pest control strategies.

  • Means of biological control

  • Optimize timing for application of controls

  • Unintended consequences of pesticide use

    • water quality, overspray, unintentional kill of beneficial species

  • Unintended consequences of biological controls

    • Introduction of new species, competition for food sources, predation on non-pest species

Outcome #5: Apply pesticide, fungicide, and herbicide control products using best practices.

  • Pest control products

    • Chemical https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Pesticides-commonly-used-on-agricultural-crops-in-the-Hood-River-basin-2009-10_tbl1_261358368

    • Biological habitat modification, Pheromone disruption and Exclusion

  • Fungi control: copper, sulfur, myclobutanil

  • Herbicide control: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-631-managing-diseases-insects-home-orchards

  • Best practices and case studies: https://columbiainsight.org/pesticides-like-onions-they-haunt-you/

Outcome #6: Apply to take the Pesticide Handlers License exam.

  • Required knowledge and skills

    • Topics addressed on the test

      • label comprehension

      • personal protective equipment (PPE)

      • laws and regulations

      • integrated pest management (IPM)

      • protecting waterways

      • reducing drift

      • pesticide transport, storage, and disposal

    • Skills addressed on the test

      • Links provided under Suggested Texts & Materials

    • Test prep and sample questions provided under Suggested Texts & Materials

Suggested Texts and Materials

Use of listed Texts/Materials is not required unless so noted.