Indiana Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 7a ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
Key Exam Domains for Category 7a
Based on Purdue University's Category 7a training curriculum, the exam covers :
1. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – Principles, monitoring, action thresholds
2. Structural Pest Identification – Cockroaches, ants, termites, rodents, stored product
pests, flies, bed bugs
3. Pesticide Formulations & Application – Baits, residuals, dusts, fumigants, IGRs
4. Application Techniques – Crack and crevice, spot treatment, void injection, space sprays
5. Safety & PPE – Label comprehension, personal protective equipment, spill response
6. Laws & Regulations – Indiana Pesticide Use and Application Law, Worker Protection
Standard
7. Environmental Protection – Secondary poisoning, runoff, non-target organisms
8. Vertebrate Pest Control – Rodent exclusion, trapping, baiting
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Practice Questions (1-200)
Domain 1: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles (Questions 1-25)
1. Which is the primary goal of integrated pest management (IPM) in structural pest control?
• A) Eliminate all pests immediately
• B) Use only chemical pesticides
• C) Reduce pest populations to acceptable levels while minimizing risks
• D) Rely on natural predators exclusively
Answer: C
Rationale: IPM focuses on managing pest populations below levels that cause economic or
health damage, using multiple strategies (cultural, physical, biological, chemical) to minimize
risks to humans, non-target organisms, and the environment .
2. What is the first step in an IPM program for a commercial food facility?
• A) Apply a residual insecticide
• B) Conduct a thorough inspection and monitoring
• C) Install rodent bait stations
• D) Fog the entire facility
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Answer: B
Rationale: The foundation of IPM is accurate pest identification and monitoring to determine the
scope of infestation and appropriate control measures .
3. How often should a pest control professional inspect a facility for potential pest entry
points?
• A) Every 5 years
• B) Regularly, as part of a monitoring program
• C) Only when pests are observed
• D) Once during the initial treatment
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular inspections are essential to prevent infestations and detect early signs of
pests before populations become established .
4. Which of the following is an example of a cultural control method in structural IPM?
• A) Applying gel baits
• B) Sealing cracks and crevices
• C) Removing food and water sources (sanitation)
• D) Using insect growth regulators
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Answer: C
Rationale: Sanitation (removing food, water, and harborage) is a cultural control method that
reduces pest carrying capacity without chemicals .
5. An action threshold in IPM is defined as:
• A) The point when pesticides are applied regardless of pest numbers
• B) The pest population level at which control measures must be taken
• C) The maximum legal pesticide application rate
• D) The temperature at which pests become active
Answer: B
Rationale: Action thresholds are pre-determined pest population levels that trigger control
measures to prevent economic or health damage .
6. Which pest management strategy is generally the most effective long-term approach for
rodents?
• A) Frequent baiting
• B) Physical exclusion (sealing entry points)
• C) Ultrasonic repellers
• D) Fumigation