Pesticide Applicator Certification | 104 Sample
Questions and Answers 2023 {100% Correct}
Section 1: Pest Management Principles (Questions 1-15)
1. Using barriers to prevent pests from getting into an area is an example of which type of
pest management method?
• A. Biological control
• B. Mechanical control (exclusion)
• C. Genetic control
• D. Chemical control
Rationale: Mechanical control includes physical methods like exclusion (sealing cracks, screens,
nets) to prevent pest entry. Biological control uses predators; genetic control uses resistant
plants; chemical control uses pesticides .
2. Lowering the humidity in stored grain areas to reduce mold damage is an example of which
pest management method?
• A. Biological control
• B. Mechanical control
• C. Physical/environmental modification
• D. Regulatory pest control
Rationale: Physical/environmental modification alters conditions (humidity, temperature, light)
to make the environment less favorable for pests. This is a key IPM strategy .
3. Which statement is true about biological control methods?
• A. If pesticides are part of a biological control program, apply at strongest label rates
, • B. Modifying the environment to enhance natural enemies is a recommended practice
• C. Biological control involves importing exotic pests to control natural enemies
• D. Using several cultural practices and a wide variety of pesticides works best
Rationale: Biological control uses natural enemies (predators, parasites, pathogens). Enhancing
habitat for these beneficial organisms is a core IPM practice. Pesticides should be selected
carefully to preserve natural enemies .
4. Sealing cracks and crevices and small openings in buildings is an example of which
mechanical control method?
• A. Exclusion
• B. Trapping
• C. Cultivation
• D. Mulching
Rationale: Exclusion prevents pests from entering structures by sealing entry points. This is a
primary mechanical control method for structural pests .
5. Which statement is true about cultural control practices?
• A. Cultural practices alter the environment, the condition of the host, or the behavior
of the pest to prevent or suppress infestation
• B. Trapping is an important cultural control practice
• C. Sanitation is not considered a cultural practice
• D. Cultural controls involve release of parasites and predators from foreign countries
Rationale: Cultural control includes crop rotation, sanitation, timing of planting, and irrigation
management. Trapping is mechanical, not cultural. Sanitation IS a cultural practice .
6. Selecting plants and animals with characteristics for resistance to pests is an example of
which pest management method?
• A. Biological control
, • B. Mechanical control
• C. Genetic control
• D. Physical/environmental modification
Rationale: Genetic control uses resistant varieties developed through selective breeding or
genetic modification. This is distinct from biological control (using living organisms) .
7. Which statement is true about chemical control as a pest management method?
• A. Pesticides play a key role in pest management programs and sometimes are the only
control method available
• B. Pesticides include materials applied to plants and soil but not to water or harvested
crops
• C. A highly selective pesticide controls a wide variety of pests
• D. Systemic pesticides are not absorbed by treated plants or animals
Rationale: Chemical control is an important IPM tool. Selective pesticides target specific pests
(narrow spectrum); broad-spectrum pesticides control many pests. Systemic pesticides ARE
absorbed .
8. Which statement is true about pest management goals?
• A. Pesticides are never used to prevent pests
• B. Preventive and suppressive pest control goals are rarely combined
• C. Cultivation and mowing of weeds are ways to prevent and suppress pest
populations
• D. Over large areas, eradication is a practical approach to pest control
Rationale: Prevention and suppression are often combined in IPM. Eradication is rarely practical
over large areas; it's typically reserved for small, contained infestations or invasive species .
9. Which term describes the pest population density that causes losses equal to the cost of
control measures?
, • A. Economic threshold
• B. Economic injury level (EIL)
• C. Action threshold
• D. Pest threshold
Rationale: The Economic Injury Level (EIL) is the point where pest damage costs equal the cost
of control. The Economic Threshold (ET) is the point at which action should be taken to prevent
reaching EIL .
10. Biennial plants are those with a:
• A. One-year lifecycle
• B. Two-year lifecycle
• C. Three-year lifecycle
• D. Perennial lifecycle (more than two years)
Rationale: Biennial plants complete their lifecycle in two years: vegetative growth the first year,
flowering and seed production the second year (e.g., carrots, onions) .
11. Herbicides that kill some plants without harming others are known as:
• A. Non-selective herbicides
• B. Selective herbicides
• C. Contact herbicides
• D. Systemic herbicides
Rationale: Selective herbicides control specific plant types (e.g., broadleaf weeds in grass
lawns). Non-selective herbicides kill most vegetation .
12. The goal in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is often to:
• A. Eradicate all pests from the area
• B. Maintain pest damage at economically acceptable levels
Questions and Answers 2023 {100% Correct}
Section 1: Pest Management Principles (Questions 1-15)
1. Using barriers to prevent pests from getting into an area is an example of which type of
pest management method?
• A. Biological control
• B. Mechanical control (exclusion)
• C. Genetic control
• D. Chemical control
Rationale: Mechanical control includes physical methods like exclusion (sealing cracks, screens,
nets) to prevent pest entry. Biological control uses predators; genetic control uses resistant
plants; chemical control uses pesticides .
2. Lowering the humidity in stored grain areas to reduce mold damage is an example of which
pest management method?
• A. Biological control
• B. Mechanical control
• C. Physical/environmental modification
• D. Regulatory pest control
Rationale: Physical/environmental modification alters conditions (humidity, temperature, light)
to make the environment less favorable for pests. This is a key IPM strategy .
3. Which statement is true about biological control methods?
• A. If pesticides are part of a biological control program, apply at strongest label rates
, • B. Modifying the environment to enhance natural enemies is a recommended practice
• C. Biological control involves importing exotic pests to control natural enemies
• D. Using several cultural practices and a wide variety of pesticides works best
Rationale: Biological control uses natural enemies (predators, parasites, pathogens). Enhancing
habitat for these beneficial organisms is a core IPM practice. Pesticides should be selected
carefully to preserve natural enemies .
4. Sealing cracks and crevices and small openings in buildings is an example of which
mechanical control method?
• A. Exclusion
• B. Trapping
• C. Cultivation
• D. Mulching
Rationale: Exclusion prevents pests from entering structures by sealing entry points. This is a
primary mechanical control method for structural pests .
5. Which statement is true about cultural control practices?
• A. Cultural practices alter the environment, the condition of the host, or the behavior
of the pest to prevent or suppress infestation
• B. Trapping is an important cultural control practice
• C. Sanitation is not considered a cultural practice
• D. Cultural controls involve release of parasites and predators from foreign countries
Rationale: Cultural control includes crop rotation, sanitation, timing of planting, and irrigation
management. Trapping is mechanical, not cultural. Sanitation IS a cultural practice .
6. Selecting plants and animals with characteristics for resistance to pests is an example of
which pest management method?
• A. Biological control
, • B. Mechanical control
• C. Genetic control
• D. Physical/environmental modification
Rationale: Genetic control uses resistant varieties developed through selective breeding or
genetic modification. This is distinct from biological control (using living organisms) .
7. Which statement is true about chemical control as a pest management method?
• A. Pesticides play a key role in pest management programs and sometimes are the only
control method available
• B. Pesticides include materials applied to plants and soil but not to water or harvested
crops
• C. A highly selective pesticide controls a wide variety of pests
• D. Systemic pesticides are not absorbed by treated plants or animals
Rationale: Chemical control is an important IPM tool. Selective pesticides target specific pests
(narrow spectrum); broad-spectrum pesticides control many pests. Systemic pesticides ARE
absorbed .
8. Which statement is true about pest management goals?
• A. Pesticides are never used to prevent pests
• B. Preventive and suppressive pest control goals are rarely combined
• C. Cultivation and mowing of weeds are ways to prevent and suppress pest
populations
• D. Over large areas, eradication is a practical approach to pest control
Rationale: Prevention and suppression are often combined in IPM. Eradication is rarely practical
over large areas; it's typically reserved for small, contained infestations or invasive species .
9. Which term describes the pest population density that causes losses equal to the cost of
control measures?
, • A. Economic threshold
• B. Economic injury level (EIL)
• C. Action threshold
• D. Pest threshold
Rationale: The Economic Injury Level (EIL) is the point where pest damage costs equal the cost
of control. The Economic Threshold (ET) is the point at which action should be taken to prevent
reaching EIL .
10. Biennial plants are those with a:
• A. One-year lifecycle
• B. Two-year lifecycle
• C. Three-year lifecycle
• D. Perennial lifecycle (more than two years)
Rationale: Biennial plants complete their lifecycle in two years: vegetative growth the first year,
flowering and seed production the second year (e.g., carrots, onions) .
11. Herbicides that kill some plants without harming others are known as:
• A. Non-selective herbicides
• B. Selective herbicides
• C. Contact herbicides
• D. Systemic herbicides
Rationale: Selective herbicides control specific plant types (e.g., broadleaf weeds in grass
lawns). Non-selective herbicides kill most vegetation .
12. The goal in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is often to:
• A. Eradicate all pests from the area
• B. Maintain pest damage at economically acceptable levels
