University of Illinois Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)

10/10/2026

Need to get certified or recertified to apply pesticides in Illinois? Online and in-person training and testing opportunities are beginning to open up for 2027. Check out your options here: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/pesticide-news/2026-10-05-training-and-testing-reopen-2026-2027-pesticide-certification-season

10/09/2026

What's one way to control insects? Release more of them! The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) uses mass-reared, sterilized insects to reduce pest populations.

Learn how it works: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/pesticide-news/2026-10-01-sterile-insect-technique-how-it-works-and-why-it-matters

10/07/2026

The September/October issue of the Illinois Pesticide Review is here! This issue is a full one with:
📌Training and testing reopen for the 2026-2027 pesticide certification season
📌Know this about pesticide use in agriculture
📌A quick PHI check can prevent costly mistakes
📌Sterile Insect Technique: How it works and why it matters
📌Household hazardous material collection events scheduled for fall 2026
Check it out at:

Training and testing reopen for the 2026-2027 pesticide certification season | October marks the beginning of the 2026-2027 pesticide training and testing season

10/05/2026

Illinois farmers, before harvesting a field, take a moment to confirm that you have passed the pre-harvest interval (PHI) for any pesticides that were applied. Violations can lead to regulatory action and monetary penalties.

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.

10/02/2026

🌽🚜Do you know much about pesticide use in agriculture? Are you concerned about your food? Want to learn more in just a few minutes? This easy to read interview style format lays out the basics.

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

09/17/2026

Do you have household hazardous materials to dispose of like unwanted paint and pesticides? There are collections happening across the state just for that! Learn more at https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/pesticide-news/2026-09-14-household-hazardous-material-collection-events-scheduled-fall-2026

08/18/2026

The handbooks are ready!!! 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. Learn more at:

You have been patiently asking for them for a while now. The long-awaited revision of two pest management handbooks has finally happened!

08/12/2026

👀Have you seen the July/August 2026 Illinois Pesticide Review?
In this issue:
📌Newly revised pest management handbooks now available
📌 Online training and testing closed for maintenance during September 2026
📌Starting a lawn care business? Here's how to get licensed for pesticide application
📌The Illinois Lawn Care Application Notice Act, communication is key
📌EPA seeks comments on the ESA draft fungicide strategy
There's a lot in this issue that you won't want to miss out on!

Newly revised pest management handbooks now available | You have been patiently asking for them for a while now. The long-awaited revision of two pest management

08/10/2026

In Illinois, there are some very specific requirements for communicating to clients when a lawn care product is applied. The Illinois Lawn Care Application Notice Act is in place to assist with communication. Learn more in the full article.
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/pesticide-news/2026-08-06-illinois-lawn-care-application-notice-act-communication-key

08/03/2026

Online training and testing for pesticide licensing will be closed for maintenance during September 2026. Now is the time to act if you need a 2026 pesticide license. But if you need a 2027 license, plan accordingly. See the article for details. https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/pesticide-news/2026-08-03-online-training-and-testing-closed-maintenance-during-september-2026