Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator's study guide

Define IPM - 1. a pest population management system that anticipates and prevents pests from causing damage. 2. an ecological approach to pest control. Components of IPM - 1. Pest identification 2. Monitoring 3. Use of natural enemies (biological control) 4. Pest-resistant plants 5. Cultural and structural changes 6. Judicious use of least toxic pesticides Intent of IPM - To use tactics that include pesticide alternatives that reduce the total amount of pesticide chemicals used thereby lessening the opportunity for pests to develop resistance. How is a pesticide defined by law? - Any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest, and any substance intended for use as a plant growth regulator, defoliant or desiccant. Which state and federal agencies register pesticides? - Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) What is the federal law that regulates the sale and use of pesticides? - The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) What is a state-limited-use pesticide? - A pesticide or pesticide use on which additional restrictions are placed by the Texas Department of Agriculture. As defined by law, what is a private pesticide applicator? - A person who uses or supervises the use of a restricted-use or state-limited use pesticide or a regulated herbicide for the purpose producing an agricultural commodity. When supervising pesticide use, must the private applicator be physically present? Is the applicator responsible for actions of the supervised workers? - The applicator need not be physically present, unless required by the label or other conditions of use, but must be available if and when needed. The licensed applicator and the supervised person may keep in touch by phone, radio, etc. The applicator is responsible for actions of individuals being supervised