The Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program Grain Facility (SP39-8) and Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program Livestock (SP39-15) Manuals have been updated for 2026, and are now available on the University of Illinois Extension PubsPlus online store:
- Grain Facility:
https://pubsplus.illinois.edu/collections/pesticide-safety/products/illinois-pesticide-applicator-training-manual-grain-facility - Livestock:
https://pubsplus.illinois.edu/collections/pesticide-safety/products/illinois-pesticide-applicator-training-manual-livestock-pest-management).
Each manual costs $20 per copy, plus shipping and handling.
Grain Facility (SP39-8)
The Grain Facility Manual provides detailed information for those applying pesticides to structural grain facilities. The manual is intended as a reference and study tool with chapters including:
- General guidelines for stored grain management
- Insect Identification, prevention, and detection
- Controlling existing infestations of insects
- Managing storage fungi
- Managing vertebrate pests associated with grain storage
Primary updates include revised optimal grain storage conditions, current grain fumigant and insect treatment tactics, and updated fumigation safety standards. Minor revisions were also made to fungal and vertebrate pest management sections. Photographs from the previous edition have been extensively edited to enhance color, definition, and clarity. These enhancements support more accurate identification of pest species, pest damage, and signs of infestation in and around grain bins.
The Grain Facility Manual contains all material relevant to:
- Commercial Not‑For‑Hire Pesticide Applicators certifying in the Grain Facility Pest Control category
- Private Applicators certifying in the Grain Fumigation category (Chapters 1-3)
All information tested on the corresponding Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) category exams is contained within this manual.
Livestock (SP39-15)
The Livestock Manual has been completely overhauled, with major revisions to all chapters. The updated manual includes chapters on:
- Integrated pest management
- Pesticides and their use for livestock
- Flies affecting livestock
- Mites and ticks of livestock
- Chewing and sucking lice
- Applicator and public safety and environmental protection
Major content changes focus on updated application techniques, pesticide chemistries, and the expansion of relevant pest species. The organization of the manual was also revised to improve usability and instructional clarity.
This edition features high-quality photographs from state extension agencies, professional field guide authors, and independent photographers, showcasing treatment techniques and illustrating distinguishing characteristics of pest species. Readers can now use both written descriptions and photographs to differentiate among adult flies, ticks, and selected lice species.
The Livestock Manual is intended for applicators who administer pesticides to livestock and serves as the primary study resource for Commercial applicators testing in the Livestock category through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. All information included on the Livestock category exam is contained within this manual.
Online Testing
The Livestock Category exam has been added to the Pesticide Safety Education Program’s Online Commercial Exams website. The change allows applicators to complete the exam either online or in person to meet livestock category licensing requirements. The 50‑question exam was updated in 2025 and is based on the newest edition of the livestock manual.
The Grain Facility (Commercial Not‑For‑Hire) and Private Grain Facility exams are currently offered both online and in person.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Schepis provides subject matter expertise and training in pesticide safety with an emphasis on entomology.