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Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 10d –
Vector Control Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
Summarized Exam Topics Covered (Point Form – Accurate for Category 10D Exam)
• Definition of Vector Control: Application of pesticides outdoors to control invertebrate pests
that threaten public health or are a nuisance to humans
• Target Pests: Mosquitoes, house flies, ticks, fleas, biting flies (horse/deer flies), ants,
yellowjackets, wasps, chiggers
• Licensing Requirements: Must pass Core exam + Category 10D; ODA application and fee
required
• Larviciding vs. Adulticiding: Life stage-specific timing, site selection, and product choice
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Source reduction, biological control, chemical control as
last resort
• Mosquito Life Cycle: Egg, larva (4 instars), pupa, adult; breeding sites identification
• Chemical Classes: Organophosphates (malathion), pyrethroids (permethrin, resmethrin), insect
growth regulators (methoprene), Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)
• Application Methods: Ultra-low volume (ULV) for adulticides, granular/liquid larvicides, ground
vs. aerial
• Drift Management: 10 mph wind limit for ULV, temperature inversion avoidance, droplet size
• Ohio Pesticide Laws: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 921, Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 901
• Recordkeeping: 3-year retention, product name, EPA#, rate, location, date, weather conditions
• PPE Requirements: Label-specific; respirator for ULV mixing/loading (unless closed system)
• Environmental Protection: Endangered species, pollinator protection, surface water buffers
• Public Notification: Pre-application notices, signage, timing restrictions
• Resistance Management: Rotate modes of action (IRAC groups)
• Disease Vectors: West Nile virus (mosquitoes), Lyme disease (ticks), Eastern Equine Encephalitis,
La Crosse encephalitis
1. What is the legal definition of "vector" for Ohio Category 10D commercial pesticide application?
A) Any insect found indoors
B) Invertebrate pests that are a threat to public health or a nuisance to humans when applying
pesticides outdoors
C) All vertebrate pests including rodents and birds
D) Only mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus
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Answer: B
Rationale: Category 10D focuses on outdoor application of pesticides to control invertebrate pests that
threaten public health or are a nuisance to humans. Vertebrate pests fall under other categories .
2. Which of the following pests is NOT covered under Category 10D in Ohio?
A) Mosquitoes
B) House flies
C) Norway rats
D) Ticks
Answer: C
Rationale: Category 10D covers invertebrate pests (mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, etc.). Vertebrate pests
such as rats, mice, and birds are covered under Category 07 (Vertebrate Pest Control) .
3. When applying a mosquito adulticide using ULV equipment, what is the maximum wind speed
generally recommended to prevent off-target drift?
A) 5 mph
B) 10 mph
C) 15 mph
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D) 25 mph
Answer: B
*Rationale: ULV applications produce small droplets that are highly susceptible to drift. Wind speeds
exceeding 10 mph significantly increase off-target movement. Label restrictions may require lower limits
.*
4. What is the primary reason for applying larvicides rather than adulticides in a mosquito control
program?
A) Larvicides are more expensive than adulticides
B) Targeting larvae before they emerge as adults is more effective and environmentally friendly
C) Adulticides are illegal in Ohio for mosquito control
D) Larvae are more resistant to pesticides than adults
Answer: B
Rationale: IPM principles prioritize source reduction and larviciding to prevent adult emergence. This
approach reduces pesticide use, targets mosquitoes at a concentrated life stage, and minimizes
environmental impact .
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5. An applicator is treating a stormwater retention basin for mosquito larvae. Which product would be
the most appropriate and selective?
A) Permethrin ULV
B) Malathion
C) Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)
D) Resmethrin
Answer: C
Rationale: Bti is a biological larvicide specific to mosquito and black fly larvae. It has minimal impact on
non-target aquatic organisms and is ideal for standing water applications .
6. According to Ohio regulations, how long must a commercial applicator keep records of each pesticide
application?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C
Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 10d –
Vector Control Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
Summarized Exam Topics Covered (Point Form – Accurate for Category 10D Exam)
• Definition of Vector Control: Application of pesticides outdoors to control invertebrate pests
that threaten public health or are a nuisance to humans
• Target Pests: Mosquitoes, house flies, ticks, fleas, biting flies (horse/deer flies), ants,
yellowjackets, wasps, chiggers
• Licensing Requirements: Must pass Core exam + Category 10D; ODA application and fee
required
• Larviciding vs. Adulticiding: Life stage-specific timing, site selection, and product choice
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Source reduction, biological control, chemical control as
last resort
• Mosquito Life Cycle: Egg, larva (4 instars), pupa, adult; breeding sites identification
• Chemical Classes: Organophosphates (malathion), pyrethroids (permethrin, resmethrin), insect
growth regulators (methoprene), Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)
• Application Methods: Ultra-low volume (ULV) for adulticides, granular/liquid larvicides, ground
vs. aerial
• Drift Management: 10 mph wind limit for ULV, temperature inversion avoidance, droplet size
• Ohio Pesticide Laws: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 921, Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 901
• Recordkeeping: 3-year retention, product name, EPA#, rate, location, date, weather conditions
• PPE Requirements: Label-specific; respirator for ULV mixing/loading (unless closed system)
• Environmental Protection: Endangered species, pollinator protection, surface water buffers
• Public Notification: Pre-application notices, signage, timing restrictions
• Resistance Management: Rotate modes of action (IRAC groups)
• Disease Vectors: West Nile virus (mosquitoes), Lyme disease (ticks), Eastern Equine Encephalitis,
La Crosse encephalitis
1. What is the legal definition of "vector" for Ohio Category 10D commercial pesticide application?
A) Any insect found indoors
B) Invertebrate pests that are a threat to public health or a nuisance to humans when applying
pesticides outdoors
C) All vertebrate pests including rodents and birds
D) Only mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus
, Page 2 of 138
Answer: B
Rationale: Category 10D focuses on outdoor application of pesticides to control invertebrate pests that
threaten public health or are a nuisance to humans. Vertebrate pests fall under other categories .
2. Which of the following pests is NOT covered under Category 10D in Ohio?
A) Mosquitoes
B) House flies
C) Norway rats
D) Ticks
Answer: C
Rationale: Category 10D covers invertebrate pests (mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, etc.). Vertebrate pests
such as rats, mice, and birds are covered under Category 07 (Vertebrate Pest Control) .
3. When applying a mosquito adulticide using ULV equipment, what is the maximum wind speed
generally recommended to prevent off-target drift?
A) 5 mph
B) 10 mph
C) 15 mph
, Page 3 of 138
D) 25 mph
Answer: B
*Rationale: ULV applications produce small droplets that are highly susceptible to drift. Wind speeds
exceeding 10 mph significantly increase off-target movement. Label restrictions may require lower limits
.*
4. What is the primary reason for applying larvicides rather than adulticides in a mosquito control
program?
A) Larvicides are more expensive than adulticides
B) Targeting larvae before they emerge as adults is more effective and environmentally friendly
C) Adulticides are illegal in Ohio for mosquito control
D) Larvae are more resistant to pesticides than adults
Answer: B
Rationale: IPM principles prioritize source reduction and larviciding to prevent adult emergence. This
approach reduces pesticide use, targets mosquitoes at a concentrated life stage, and minimizes
environmental impact .
, Page 4 of 138
5. An applicator is treating a stormwater retention basin for mosquito larvae. Which product would be
the most appropriate and selective?
A) Permethrin ULV
B) Malathion
C) Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)
D) Resmethrin
Answer: C
Rationale: Bti is a biological larvicide specific to mosquito and black fly larvae. It has minimal impact on
non-target aquatic organisms and is ideal for standing water applications .
6. According to Ohio regulations, how long must a commercial applicator keep records of each pesticide
application?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C
