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.
Who is responsible for assuring that any person working under the licensee's direct supervision
is knowledgeable of the label requirements and rules and regulations governing the use of the
particular pesticide being used by the individual? - The licensed applicator (may be private,
commercial, or noncommercial).
What practical knowledge and skills should a private applicator have? - The applicator should
know how to: recognize common pests and pest damage; read and understand the label; apply
pesticides according to the label instructions and warnings; recognize environmental conditions
and avoid contamination; and recognize poisoning symptoms and perform first-aid.
What is the significance of pesticide label directions with regard to the law? - The label has the
force of law and includes a statement stating that the use of any chemical inconsistent with the
label directions is a violation of the law.
What types of laws are violated when the applicator uses pesticides inconsistent with the label
directions? Examples: is it ever legal to use more than the labeled rate? Is it ever legal to allow
the pesticide to DRIFT off the target site? - Both federal and state law prohibits uses pesticides
inconsistent with label directions. It is NEVER legal to use more than the labeled rate of a
pesticide. It is NEVER legal to allow the pesticide to drift off the target site.
, What role do Texas counties have in regulating pesticides? - Sale and use of certain herbicides
are regulated in some countries where a permit must be obtained to use such products during
certain times of the year.
What is a spray permit? - A spray permit is a document issued by the TDA that must be issued
before application that authorizes a person to apply regulated herbicides in a regulated county.
When does a spray permit expire? - All permits expire when the acreage for which the permit
was granted has been sprayed, OR days after issuance, whichever occurs first.
List some applications that would require a spray permit and some that would not require a
spray permit and some that are prohibited from having a spray permit. - Spraying with standard
ground application equipment would require a permit. Applications of regulated herbicides to
lawns and by brush, mop, wick, basal treatment, or injection methods are exempt from obtaining
a permit. The use of any turbine or blower-type ground application equipment to apply regulated
herbicides is prohibited.
What Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are required to renew the private applicator's license?
- Private applicators are required to recertify every five years by obtaining fifteen continuing
education units (CEUs) including at least two credits in laws and regulations and two credits in
integrated pest management.
What late fees are added to the renewal fee if a private applicator does not renew the license by
February 28th? - The renewal fee is $100 due by february 28. After Feb 28 to May 31 there is a
$30 late fee. After a license is lost, the applicator must wait one year before they can train and
retest. TDA will NOT issue a new license until one full year elapses.
If an applicator fails to inform TDA of a change in mailing address, what can happen to the
license? - Failure to provide such information may be grounds for denial, suspension or
revocation of the license.
When can a person request prior notification? - Prior notification can be requested when
pesticides are being applied with air-blast, mist blowing or aerial equipment by people on
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.
Who is responsible for assuring that any person working under the licensee's direct supervision
is knowledgeable of the label requirements and rules and regulations governing the use of the
particular pesticide being used by the individual? - The licensed applicator (may be private,
commercial, or noncommercial).
What practical knowledge and skills should a private applicator have? - The applicator should
know how to: recognize common pests and pest damage; read and understand the label; apply
pesticides according to the label instructions and warnings; recognize environmental conditions
and avoid contamination; and recognize poisoning symptoms and perform first-aid.
What is the significance of pesticide label directions with regard to the law? - The label has the
force of law and includes a statement stating that the use of any chemical inconsistent with the
label directions is a violation of the law.
What types of laws are violated when the applicator uses pesticides inconsistent with the label
directions? Examples: is it ever legal to use more than the labeled rate? Is it ever legal to allow
the pesticide to DRIFT off the target site? - Both federal and state law prohibits uses pesticides
inconsistent with label directions. It is NEVER legal to use more than the labeled rate of a
pesticide. It is NEVER legal to allow the pesticide to drift off the target site.
, What role do Texas counties have in regulating pesticides? - Sale and use of certain herbicides
are regulated in some countries where a permit must be obtained to use such products during
certain times of the year.
What is a spray permit? - A spray permit is a document issued by the TDA that must be issued
before application that authorizes a person to apply regulated herbicides in a regulated county.
When does a spray permit expire? - All permits expire when the acreage for which the permit
was granted has been sprayed, OR days after issuance, whichever occurs first.
List some applications that would require a spray permit and some that would not require a
spray permit and some that are prohibited from having a spray permit. - Spraying with standard
ground application equipment would require a permit. Applications of regulated herbicides to
lawns and by brush, mop, wick, basal treatment, or injection methods are exempt from obtaining
a permit. The use of any turbine or blower-type ground application equipment to apply regulated
herbicides is prohibited.
What Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are required to renew the private applicator's license?
- Private applicators are required to recertify every five years by obtaining fifteen continuing
education units (CEUs) including at least two credits in laws and regulations and two credits in
integrated pest management.
What late fees are added to the renewal fee if a private applicator does not renew the license by
February 28th? - The renewal fee is $100 due by february 28. After Feb 28 to May 31 there is a
$30 late fee. After a license is lost, the applicator must wait one year before they can train and
retest. TDA will NOT issue a new license until one full year elapses.
If an applicator fails to inform TDA of a change in mailing address, what can happen to the
license? - Failure to provide such information may be grounds for denial, suspension or
revocation of the license.
When can a person request prior notification? - Prior notification can be requested when
pesticides are being applied with air-blast, mist blowing or aerial equipment by people on
