Blog Keywords

Soybeans in the foreground ready to be harvested my an approching combine

A quick PHI check can prevent costly mistakes

October 5, 2026

Harvest is underway as Illinois farmers and growers work to bring in the crops they have spent an entire season protecting from insects, diseases, and weeds. Before harvesting a field, take a moment to confirm that you have passed the pre-harvest interval (PHI) for any pesticides that were applied...

Finish this story

Traffic cone and hardhat on a laptop keyboard

Training and testing reopen for the 2026-2027 pesticide certification season

October 5, 2026

Pesticide News

October marks the beginning of the 2026-2027 pesticide training and testing season. General Standards and Private exams taken on or after October 1, 2026, will count toward licensure through the end of 2029 once an Illinois pesticide license is issued.* Here’s what Illinois Pesticide Operators and...

Finish this story

Know this about pesticide use in agriculture

October 2, 2026

Pesticide News

This summer I was invited to participate in creating a video about pesticide use in agriculture as part of the Illinois Farm Families Innovation Grows Here docuseries on pesticides. To prepare for this, I was provided with a host of good questions which I carefully thought about and wrote down my...

Finish this story

New World screwworms are primarily controlled through Sterile Insect Technique

Sterile Insect Technique: How it works and why it matters

October 1, 2026

Pesticide News

SIT and Public PerceptionThe Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has received increased attention over the past year due to the expansion of SIT programs and its role in controlling insects of public health importance. The method uses laboratory-reared, sterilized male insects released into targeted...

Finish this story

Household hazardous material collection events scheduled for fall 2026

September 14, 2026

Pesticide News

Now is the time to get rid of any old or unwanted pesticides in your chemical storage area. The Illinois EPA one-day household hazardous waste collection schedule for this fall has been released to the public. Please note, all one-day collections require pre-registration. All events are open to all...

Finish this story

Pictures of the two handbook covers described in the article

Newly revised pest management handbooks now available

August 11, 2026

Pesticide News

You have been patiently asking for them for a while now. The long-awaited revision of two pest management handbooks has finally happened! University of Illinois Extension specialists have been working hard to update these popular reference guides and we are excited to make them available. ...

Finish this story

The Illinois Lawn Care Application Notice Act, communication is key

August 6, 2026

Pesticide News

As a landscape professional, communicating with your clients is vital. A solid relationship built on trust can yield continuous business. Communication with clients should be informative and timely. That investment of time spent with them is valuable because you can gather their needs or wants and...

Finish this story

Colorful mixed landscape bed next to a building

Starting a lawn care business? Here's how to get licensed for pesticide application

July 16, 2026

Pesticide News

More and more lawn care companies have emerged in recent years. Many business owners are just starting their companies and need to obtain the appropriate pesticide applicator license before applying pesticides, including herbicides. To help simplify the process, we have put together the...

Finish this story

Several pesticide treated corn seeds that have been dyed purple and teal and closely grouped on an exposed soil surface.

EPA seeks comments on the ESA draft fungicide strategy

July 6, 2026

Pesticide News

If you apply pesticides in agricultural settings, you are likely aware of the strategies the EPA has developed to comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The EPA has already finalized strategies for agricultural herbicides and insecticides, and several agricultural pesticides now include the...

Finish this story

Agricultural field that the EPA requires specific mitigations be calculated for through new Endangered Species Act labeling

Understanding new ESA label requirements for the 2026 Illinois spraying season

June 8, 2026

Pesticide News

Spraying season has officially begun in Illinois agriculture, and this year, additional steps may be necessary to make an application due to a recent label change resulting from new Endangered Species Act (ESA) strategies. The ESA herbicide and insecticide strategies are being implemented more...

Finish this story

Blog Keywords

Pesticide Blogs