Illinois Pesticide Applicator Test 2023 Questions and
Answers
Federal insecticide, fungicide, and rodenticide act (FIFRA)
Approved in 1947. It provides a framework for pesticide registrations an is the pesticide
users assurance that the product, if used correctly will provide some helpful service
without endangering the user, other persons, or the environment
Economic Injury Level
break- even point at which the cost of pest control equals the revenue loss caused by a
pest.
Aesthetic Injury Level
number of pests that might cause enough damage to the appearance of a plant to
warrant the cost of control
Scouting
Regularly monitoring pest populations and plant or crop conditions. Could be the owner,
maintenance technician, or grower.
What is the Goal of IPM?
To optimize, NOT maximize pest control
Pest
any insect, mite, rodent, nematode, fungus, weed, or other organism that is injurious to
humans or their structures, or to plants, or animals of interest to humans.
5 Control Methods
Cultural Control, Mechanical Control, Biological Control, Preventative Control, Chemical
control
Cultural control
improves plant health so that they plants are able to compete better against pests. EX:
soil preparation, fertility, proper planting, plant selection, crop rotation, mulching,
mowing
Mechanical control
Physically eliminates the pest. EX: Cultivating, pruning, hoeing, weed pulling, mowing,
hand picking
Biological control
Uses living organisms to reduce pest populations to economically acceptable levels.
EX: predators, parasites, pest diseases
preventative control
Helps prevent the entry and spread of pests. EX: quarantines, inspections, certified
seed
chemical control
Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, repellents, fumigants
Pesticide
any chemical used to destroy, prevent, or control any form of like declared to be a pest
Two general types of ingredients
Active, Inert
Active ingredient
part of the formulation that is effective against the targeted pest
Answers
Federal insecticide, fungicide, and rodenticide act (FIFRA)
Approved in 1947. It provides a framework for pesticide registrations an is the pesticide
users assurance that the product, if used correctly will provide some helpful service
without endangering the user, other persons, or the environment
Economic Injury Level
break- even point at which the cost of pest control equals the revenue loss caused by a
pest.
Aesthetic Injury Level
number of pests that might cause enough damage to the appearance of a plant to
warrant the cost of control
Scouting
Regularly monitoring pest populations and plant or crop conditions. Could be the owner,
maintenance technician, or grower.
What is the Goal of IPM?
To optimize, NOT maximize pest control
Pest
any insect, mite, rodent, nematode, fungus, weed, or other organism that is injurious to
humans or their structures, or to plants, or animals of interest to humans.
5 Control Methods
Cultural Control, Mechanical Control, Biological Control, Preventative Control, Chemical
control
Cultural control
improves plant health so that they plants are able to compete better against pests. EX:
soil preparation, fertility, proper planting, plant selection, crop rotation, mulching,
mowing
Mechanical control
Physically eliminates the pest. EX: Cultivating, pruning, hoeing, weed pulling, mowing,
hand picking
Biological control
Uses living organisms to reduce pest populations to economically acceptable levels.
EX: predators, parasites, pest diseases
preventative control
Helps prevent the entry and spread of pests. EX: quarantines, inspections, certified
seed
chemical control
Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, repellents, fumigants
Pesticide
any chemical used to destroy, prevent, or control any form of like declared to be a pest
Two general types of ingredients
Active, Inert
Active ingredient
part of the formulation that is effective against the targeted pest
