MDARD Pesticide Core Exam
Questions and Answers9
Define "pest" - ANSWERS-An undesirable organism that injures humans, desirable plants and
animals, manufactured products, or natural substances.
What are the four main groups of pests? (ex?) - ANSWERS-1. Weeds (undesirable plants)
2. Invertebrates (insects, mites, ticks, spiders, snails, slugs)
3. Disease agents or pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes, etc.)
4. Vertebrates (birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and rodents/other mammals)
What is the importance of pest identification in pest control? - ANSWERS-Pest species have
different physical forms depending on the life cycle stage or the time of year, you don't want to
spray the wrong chemical for the wrong pest
What are the six general pest management methods? - ANSWERS-1. Biological control
2. Chemical control
3. Cultural control (mulching/cover crops for weeds)
4. Genetic control (genetically modified for resistance)
5. Mechanical/Physical control (traps, fencing, mulch, etc.)
6. Regulatory control (quarantine & eradication)
Define "integrated pest management" (IPM) - ANSWERS-A pest management strategy that
utilizes a wide range of pest control methods or tactics. Goal = prevent pests from reaching
economically or aesthetically
, What are the five benefits of using IPM? - ANSWERS-1. IPM helps to keep a balanced ecosystem
2. Pesticides can be ineffective
3. IPM can save money
4. IPM promotes a healthy environment
5. IPM maintains a good public image
How can using one or more control options improve pest control? - ANSWERS-It can help
prevent pests from multiplying, especially if the pest is pesticide resistant. Overall makes things
easier to the pesticide applicator.
How does selectivity and persistence affect chemical controls? - ANSWERS-Selectivity -
chemicals that are toxic to some pests but have little or no effect on others.
Persistance - how long they remain active to control pests, some control for
weeks/months/years, others short term/hourly.
How does pest population levels trigger control procedures? - ANSWERS-The economic
threshold (pest population per unit area) must be lower than the economic injury level (pest
population density that causes losses equal to the cost of control measures)
OR
Pesticide users
What is the difference between prevention and suppression when developing pest
management goals? - ANSWERS-prevention is aimed towards pest prevention, while
suppression is aimed at reducing pest population
Give several reasons why pest applications may fail? - ANSWERS-Wrong pest identification,
wrong dosage, incorrect use, wrong application timing, wrong application equipment,
environmental conditions, pesticide degradation (wrong storage method)
Questions and Answers9
Define "pest" - ANSWERS-An undesirable organism that injures humans, desirable plants and
animals, manufactured products, or natural substances.
What are the four main groups of pests? (ex?) - ANSWERS-1. Weeds (undesirable plants)
2. Invertebrates (insects, mites, ticks, spiders, snails, slugs)
3. Disease agents or pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes, etc.)
4. Vertebrates (birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and rodents/other mammals)
What is the importance of pest identification in pest control? - ANSWERS-Pest species have
different physical forms depending on the life cycle stage or the time of year, you don't want to
spray the wrong chemical for the wrong pest
What are the six general pest management methods? - ANSWERS-1. Biological control
2. Chemical control
3. Cultural control (mulching/cover crops for weeds)
4. Genetic control (genetically modified for resistance)
5. Mechanical/Physical control (traps, fencing, mulch, etc.)
6. Regulatory control (quarantine & eradication)
Define "integrated pest management" (IPM) - ANSWERS-A pest management strategy that
utilizes a wide range of pest control methods or tactics. Goal = prevent pests from reaching
economically or aesthetically
, What are the five benefits of using IPM? - ANSWERS-1. IPM helps to keep a balanced ecosystem
2. Pesticides can be ineffective
3. IPM can save money
4. IPM promotes a healthy environment
5. IPM maintains a good public image
How can using one or more control options improve pest control? - ANSWERS-It can help
prevent pests from multiplying, especially if the pest is pesticide resistant. Overall makes things
easier to the pesticide applicator.
How does selectivity and persistence affect chemical controls? - ANSWERS-Selectivity -
chemicals that are toxic to some pests but have little or no effect on others.
Persistance - how long they remain active to control pests, some control for
weeks/months/years, others short term/hourly.
How does pest population levels trigger control procedures? - ANSWERS-The economic
threshold (pest population per unit area) must be lower than the economic injury level (pest
population density that causes losses equal to the cost of control measures)
OR
Pesticide users
What is the difference between prevention and suppression when developing pest
management goals? - ANSWERS-prevention is aimed towards pest prevention, while
suppression is aimed at reducing pest population
Give several reasons why pest applications may fail? - ANSWERS-Wrong pest identification,
wrong dosage, incorrect use, wrong application timing, wrong application equipment,
environmental conditions, pesticide degradation (wrong storage method)
