Pesticide -License CORE Study Guide
Exam with All Correct Solutions 2025-
2026 Updated.
What is the purpose of pesticide certification? - Answer To ensure basic level of competence
by all commercial pesticide exterminators.
What areas of knowledge are required to be a licensed exterminator? - Answer Safety
precautions
Proper use and handling of pesticide
Current legislation governing pesticide use
Managing pest problems using an integrated pest management approach
Environment protection
From the date you pass the exam, your certification to apply for an exterminator licence is valid
for: - Answer One Year
What is a vendor licence? - Answer Allows the licence holder to sell pesticides.
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)? - Answer Decision making process for
preventing pests from reaching damaging levels and determining what actions to take when
pest problems occur. IPM allows the applicator to make knowledgeable decisions regarding pest
control treatments to manage a pest whether or not control is necessary.
Explain why it is important o identify pests correctly. - Answer You can research the biology
of the pest -which assists in selecting the most economical , effective and safe control method.
It also Minimizes he chance that beneficial species may be mistaken for pests. Indicates if
treatments are not required when beneficial species are present in sufficient numbers.
List 5 sources to find information or advice on pest ID - Answer Federal and Provincial
government publications
Pest control representatives
Government pest control representatives
Universities or Colleges
Internet
T or F: Knowing the life cycle and behavior of pests is important in pest management because it
will influence the timing and choice of treatment. - Answer True
,What information can be determined through regular monitoring? - Answer Locate the
center of the Infestation
Find the cause of the pest problem
Select and revise injury and action thresholds
Control the pest only when needed
Asses treatment results
T or F: A pest population which is below the action threshold should be controlled. - Answer
False
Describe the term THRESHOLD in relation to pests - Answer The number of pests at which
you much take pest control action if you want to prevent the pests from causing unacceptable
damage, loss or harm.
List 5 types of pest management practices and provide an example of each. - Answer
Legislative - destruction of noxious weeds (Weed Act)
Cultural - crop rotation
Mechanical - traps
Biological - introducing predators, parasites, or pathogens into the pest environment
Behavioral - releasing sterile males to inhibit production
Chemical - synthetic pesticides or man-made pesticides
What environmental conditions may alter the selection or use of a pest management practice? -
Answer Temperature
Relative Humidity
Precipitation
Wind speed and direction
Distance to sensitive area
Topography
List 5 factors to include in an evaluation of an integrated Pest Management program. - Answer
Making post-treatment observation on pests and non-target organisms.
Comparing post-treatment observation with pre-treatment monitoring records.
Review of treatment records, including methods, dates, times, rates, costs, etc
Obtaining feedback, if possible, from clients or site users about treatment effectiveness.
Identifying any possible improvements to pest management.
, What is a Pesticide? - Answer Anything intended to control, prevent, destroy, repel, or
attract to manage a pest.
What is the difference between a selective pesticide and systemic pesticide? - Answer
Selective: is toxic to some pests but may not have little to on effect on other pests, or non-
targets. Systemic: is absorbed by the treated plant to animal and moves within in the system to
reach areas remote from the point of application.
What is a chemicals family, and why group pesticides in this manner? - Answer A Chemical
Family is a group of chemical that have similar structures and properties, similar poisonings
symptoms as well as similar first aid, clean-up and safety guidelines. Knowing families helps an
applicator understand how they work and how to use them safely.
T or F The name given by the manufacturer to a pesticide product that is unique to that product
and is predominantly displayed on the pesticide label is the product name. - Answer True
T or F A pesticide formulation is a mixture of active ingredients and formulants. - Answer
True
List the advantages and disadvantages for the following formulation: Wettable Powder - Answer
Advantages: container empty easily, no liquid spills, easier to store in the cold.
Disadvantages: dusty, requires agitation to remain suspended, may leave visible residue, may be
abrasive
List the advantages and disadvantages for the following formulation: Emulsifiable Concentrate -
Answer Advantages:high concentration of active ingredient, less agitation required, not
abrasive, less visile residue, buy less bulk.
Disadvantages: possibly flammable, possible phytotoxic
List the advantages and disadvantages for the following formulation: True Liquid or Solution -
Answer Advantages: high concentration of active ingredient, not abrasivem less visble
residue, buy less bulk, requires little agitation
Disadvantages:possibly corrosive
List 3 factors that may result when two pesticides that are incompatible are mixed together -
Answer Loss of effectiveness of the pesticide
Non-target injury to treated surfaces including vegetation
Settling out of solids in the spray tank and clogging of application equipment
Exam with All Correct Solutions 2025-
2026 Updated.
What is the purpose of pesticide certification? - Answer To ensure basic level of competence
by all commercial pesticide exterminators.
What areas of knowledge are required to be a licensed exterminator? - Answer Safety
precautions
Proper use and handling of pesticide
Current legislation governing pesticide use
Managing pest problems using an integrated pest management approach
Environment protection
From the date you pass the exam, your certification to apply for an exterminator licence is valid
for: - Answer One Year
What is a vendor licence? - Answer Allows the licence holder to sell pesticides.
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)? - Answer Decision making process for
preventing pests from reaching damaging levels and determining what actions to take when
pest problems occur. IPM allows the applicator to make knowledgeable decisions regarding pest
control treatments to manage a pest whether or not control is necessary.
Explain why it is important o identify pests correctly. - Answer You can research the biology
of the pest -which assists in selecting the most economical , effective and safe control method.
It also Minimizes he chance that beneficial species may be mistaken for pests. Indicates if
treatments are not required when beneficial species are present in sufficient numbers.
List 5 sources to find information or advice on pest ID - Answer Federal and Provincial
government publications
Pest control representatives
Government pest control representatives
Universities or Colleges
Internet
T or F: Knowing the life cycle and behavior of pests is important in pest management because it
will influence the timing and choice of treatment. - Answer True
,What information can be determined through regular monitoring? - Answer Locate the
center of the Infestation
Find the cause of the pest problem
Select and revise injury and action thresholds
Control the pest only when needed
Asses treatment results
T or F: A pest population which is below the action threshold should be controlled. - Answer
False
Describe the term THRESHOLD in relation to pests - Answer The number of pests at which
you much take pest control action if you want to prevent the pests from causing unacceptable
damage, loss or harm.
List 5 types of pest management practices and provide an example of each. - Answer
Legislative - destruction of noxious weeds (Weed Act)
Cultural - crop rotation
Mechanical - traps
Biological - introducing predators, parasites, or pathogens into the pest environment
Behavioral - releasing sterile males to inhibit production
Chemical - synthetic pesticides or man-made pesticides
What environmental conditions may alter the selection or use of a pest management practice? -
Answer Temperature
Relative Humidity
Precipitation
Wind speed and direction
Distance to sensitive area
Topography
List 5 factors to include in an evaluation of an integrated Pest Management program. - Answer
Making post-treatment observation on pests and non-target organisms.
Comparing post-treatment observation with pre-treatment monitoring records.
Review of treatment records, including methods, dates, times, rates, costs, etc
Obtaining feedback, if possible, from clients or site users about treatment effectiveness.
Identifying any possible improvements to pest management.
, What is a Pesticide? - Answer Anything intended to control, prevent, destroy, repel, or
attract to manage a pest.
What is the difference between a selective pesticide and systemic pesticide? - Answer
Selective: is toxic to some pests but may not have little to on effect on other pests, or non-
targets. Systemic: is absorbed by the treated plant to animal and moves within in the system to
reach areas remote from the point of application.
What is a chemicals family, and why group pesticides in this manner? - Answer A Chemical
Family is a group of chemical that have similar structures and properties, similar poisonings
symptoms as well as similar first aid, clean-up and safety guidelines. Knowing families helps an
applicator understand how they work and how to use them safely.
T or F The name given by the manufacturer to a pesticide product that is unique to that product
and is predominantly displayed on the pesticide label is the product name. - Answer True
T or F A pesticide formulation is a mixture of active ingredients and formulants. - Answer
True
List the advantages and disadvantages for the following formulation: Wettable Powder - Answer
Advantages: container empty easily, no liquid spills, easier to store in the cold.
Disadvantages: dusty, requires agitation to remain suspended, may leave visible residue, may be
abrasive
List the advantages and disadvantages for the following formulation: Emulsifiable Concentrate -
Answer Advantages:high concentration of active ingredient, less agitation required, not
abrasive, less visile residue, buy less bulk.
Disadvantages: possibly flammable, possible phytotoxic
List the advantages and disadvantages for the following formulation: True Liquid or Solution -
Answer Advantages: high concentration of active ingredient, not abrasivem less visble
residue, buy less bulk, requires little agitation
Disadvantages:possibly corrosive
List 3 factors that may result when two pesticides that are incompatible are mixed together -
Answer Loss of effectiveness of the pesticide
Non-target injury to treated surfaces including vegetation
Settling out of solids in the spray tank and clogging of application equipment
