Pesticide Applicators Practice Exam
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
According to FIFRA, what is the minimum standard for direct supervision of a
pesticide application by uncertified individuals?
a. The application is done by a competent person acting under the instruction and
control of a certified applicator who is available if and when needed. (correct)
b. The application is done by a person who has passed a competency exam.
c. The application is done by a competent person with the certified applicator
present at the time and place the pesticide is applied.
d. The application is done by a competent person who has received a six-month
training course by a certified applicator.
Question 2
Which statement is true about biological control methods?
a. If pesticides are part of a biological control program to control an exotic pest, it is
better to apply them at the strongest label rate and to choose the more toxic
pesticides.
b. Biological control involves the importation of exotic pests to control natural
enemies.
c. Using several cultural practices and a wide variety of pesticides works best in
biological control.
d. Modifying the environment to enhance natural enemies is a recommended
practice in biological control. (correct)
Page 1 of 24
,Question 3
Under what soil conditions are pesticides more likely to leach through soil?
a. A heavy clay soil, high in organic matter, where groundwater is deep.
b. A heavy clay soil, low in organic matter, where groundwater is shallow.
c. A sandy soil, low in organic matter, where groundwater is shallow. (correct)
d. A sandy soil, high in organic matter, where groundwater is deep.
Question 4
Which statement is true about proper cleanup procedures for pesticide spills?
a. Use charcoal briquets to reduce soil contamination and subsequent plant
damage.
b. Sweep up the absorbed chemical and place it in a steel or fiber drum lined with a
heavyduty plastic bag. (correct)
c. Remove the top 1 inch of soil to decontaminate soil saturated with a pesticide.
d. Use bleach and lime together to clean up spill areas.
Question 5
What two things should pesticide applicators be most aware of to avoid spray drift?
a. Temperature and pesticide volatility.
b. Viscosity of liquid pesticides and air turbulence.
c. Droplet size and wind direction and speed. (correct)
d. Air stability and temperature.
Page 2 of 24
, Question 6
Sealing cracks and crevices and small openings in buildings is an example of which
type of mechanical control method?
a. Exclusion. (correct)
b. Mulching.
c. Cultivation.
d. Trapping.
Question 8
Which statement is true about pesticide toxicity?
a. Manufacturers are not required to include chronic toxicity warning statements on
product labels; only acute toxicity warnings are included.
b. Cholinesterase inhibition due to exposure to organophosphate or carbamate
insecticides can cause acute or delayed effects. (correct)
c. A pesticide with an oral LD50 of 250 mg/kg is more toxic than a pesticide with an
LD50 of 5 mg/kg.
d. Delayed effects occur only after a single acute toxicity exposure.
Question 9
Determining when to apply a pesticide includes consideration of:
a. The percent active ingredient.
b. The need for additives or adjuvants.
c. What safety measures you should follow.
d. The life cycle of the pest and weather conditions. (correct)
Page 3 of 24
Questions and Correct Answers
Question 1
According to FIFRA, what is the minimum standard for direct supervision of a
pesticide application by uncertified individuals?
a. The application is done by a competent person acting under the instruction and
control of a certified applicator who is available if and when needed. (correct)
b. The application is done by a person who has passed a competency exam.
c. The application is done by a competent person with the certified applicator
present at the time and place the pesticide is applied.
d. The application is done by a competent person who has received a six-month
training course by a certified applicator.
Question 2
Which statement is true about biological control methods?
a. If pesticides are part of a biological control program to control an exotic pest, it is
better to apply them at the strongest label rate and to choose the more toxic
pesticides.
b. Biological control involves the importation of exotic pests to control natural
enemies.
c. Using several cultural practices and a wide variety of pesticides works best in
biological control.
d. Modifying the environment to enhance natural enemies is a recommended
practice in biological control. (correct)
Page 1 of 24
,Question 3
Under what soil conditions are pesticides more likely to leach through soil?
a. A heavy clay soil, high in organic matter, where groundwater is deep.
b. A heavy clay soil, low in organic matter, where groundwater is shallow.
c. A sandy soil, low in organic matter, where groundwater is shallow. (correct)
d. A sandy soil, high in organic matter, where groundwater is deep.
Question 4
Which statement is true about proper cleanup procedures for pesticide spills?
a. Use charcoal briquets to reduce soil contamination and subsequent plant
damage.
b. Sweep up the absorbed chemical and place it in a steel or fiber drum lined with a
heavyduty plastic bag. (correct)
c. Remove the top 1 inch of soil to decontaminate soil saturated with a pesticide.
d. Use bleach and lime together to clean up spill areas.
Question 5
What two things should pesticide applicators be most aware of to avoid spray drift?
a. Temperature and pesticide volatility.
b. Viscosity of liquid pesticides and air turbulence.
c. Droplet size and wind direction and speed. (correct)
d. Air stability and temperature.
Page 2 of 24
, Question 6
Sealing cracks and crevices and small openings in buildings is an example of which
type of mechanical control method?
a. Exclusion. (correct)
b. Mulching.
c. Cultivation.
d. Trapping.
Question 8
Which statement is true about pesticide toxicity?
a. Manufacturers are not required to include chronic toxicity warning statements on
product labels; only acute toxicity warnings are included.
b. Cholinesterase inhibition due to exposure to organophosphate or carbamate
insecticides can cause acute or delayed effects. (correct)
c. A pesticide with an oral LD50 of 250 mg/kg is more toxic than a pesticide with an
LD50 of 5 mg/kg.
d. Delayed effects occur only after a single acute toxicity exposure.
Question 9
Determining when to apply a pesticide includes consideration of:
a. The percent active ingredient.
b. The need for additives or adjuvants.
c. What safety measures you should follow.
d. The life cycle of the pest and weather conditions. (correct)
Page 3 of 24
