Applicator license??

[graham1]

Hi folks, I’ve been thinking about doing a bit of weed spraying in my spare time for the local acreage owners.
Doesn’t seem to be anybody around who does residential spraying anymore.
I did some googling and am having trouble finding a herbicide applicator course/license.
Not sure if it’ll be worth my time or not.
If it’s a fairy cheap online course I’d probably do it.
I have a small sprayer for my quad that I use on my own place now.
There’s definitely opportunities to help out the neighbors and make a bit of extra cash. Just want to make sure I’m doing it right if I’m gonna do it.
I’m in Alberta.

Thanks

[1886]

If you’re going to do custom spraying you will want good insurance. So you should check into that as well.

[hillbillyreefer]

https://www.lakelandcollege.ca/progr...n-program.aspx

This is the only offering I know of there may be more.

[keeks]

Originally Posted by hillbillyreefer

https://www.lakelandcollege.ca/progr...n-program.aspx

This is the only offering I know of there may be more.

Hillbilly is spot on. Call Cara, she can give you all the info you need.

Cara Van Tighem
780-853-8646
pesticides@lakelandcollege.ca

[huntinstuff]

I have taken the course thru Lakeland in the last year. The basic Core manual plus Industrial and Landscaping modules

It is intensive. The binder is about 400pgs plus the Alberta Blue Book (600pgs) and the attachments.

$355 for the course and test is $255.

It will take you a few months to study the material.if you work at it for a couple hours every day

You will learn a lot.

Brush up on your math skills A LOT because you will be calculating spray rates/distances and spray yields/mixture rates and it is a timed exam.

Insurance IS an issue. I pay about $2200 premiums for April-Sept.

[graham1]

I never thought about the insurance side.
Darn good point.
I’ll ponder it some more.
Might not be worth it.

Thanks

[huntinstuff]

Originally Posted by graham1

I never thought about the insurance side.
Darn good point.
I’ll ponder it some more.
Might not be worth it.

Thanks

Dont let it deter you

If you get contracts or hired to spray an acreage or a site, you can recoup your costs quite well.

Most people dont want to spray the land themselves due to health concerns. Proper PPE will take care of that matter for you. For an acreage, a quad and a sprayer with appropriate nozzles for your pesticide of choice is a good start...and/or a backpack sprayer.....

The Lakeland home study course explains it all.

[IL Bar]

The only other that hasn’t been mentioned is that once you get your license you will also have to take some courses later on and earn credits to keep your license.

[gordfishing]

Once you get your licence your good for 5 years , then you have to take online courses and then good for another 5 years.
Lakeland College but the course is taught in Olds
I have had my license for many years

[-JR-]

I would say if you have the equipment and have been doing your own and your only doing like 4 extra yards a year like for your nabbers ,just do it . Then if you start getting more busy take the course and get the insurance .At the end of the year you might find this is not what you want to do with your spare time .