PA Pesticide Applicator Exam Core Info
Questions and Answers
Bioaccumulation - Correct Answers -The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic
chemical, in various tissues of a living organism.
Biomagnification - Correct Answers -Accumulation of pollutants at successive levels of
the food chain
abiotic factors - Correct Answers -natural control measures within the environment.
EX: climactic factors, air/water pollution, topographic features.
Biological Control - Correct Answers -The use of natural enemies to control pests.
EX: Predators, Parasites, Pathogens
Cultural Control - Correct Answers -These are Practices that reduce pest establishment,
reproduction, dispersal and survival.
EX: Mowing, irrigation, aeration, fertilization and sanitation.
certified applicator vs registered tech vs noncertified nonregistered person - Correct
Answers -certified applicators passed cert. exam and are employed by licensed
application business and can apply whenever in certified categories.
registered technicians are registered with PDA and have completed training given by
certified applicator with at least one year of certification. can apply when cert applicator
is available for routine supervision and can be onsite within 5 hours in case of
emergency.
Noncert./nonregistered persons may participate in applications only when a certified
applicator is present and in visual and voice control of the application.
Record keeping - Correct Answers -Records must be recorded within 24 hours of
application and maintained for three years.
Genetic control - Correct Answers -Making use of plant varieties that are naturally
resistant to insect feedings.
Mechanical/Physical control - Correct Answers -Kills a pest directly or makes its
environment unsuitable
EX: Rodent traps, deer fences, mulches, barriers
, Regulatory control - Correct Answers -Removal of pests that cant be controlled at a
local level. Utilizes quarantines to prevent entry of pests at airports or ocean ports and
can be used to remove pests with government power. (i.e. draining standing water that
provides breeding sites for mosquitos.)
Mode of action - Correct Answers -How chemicals kill a pest
Site of action - Correct Answers -The specific biological system affected within the pest
Economic threshold - Correct Answers -The point at which the economic loss caused by
pest damage outweighs the cost of applying a pesticide.
(Treat pests when they pass the economic threshold)
Economic injury level - Correct Answers -the pest population density that causes losses
equal to the cost of control measures
Action threshold - Correct Answers -the predetermined level at which pest control is
needed
Certified applicator - Correct Answers -A person qualified to apply or supervise the
application of restricted-use pesticides.
Private applicator - Correct Answers -A certified applicator who uses or supervises the
use of any restricted-use pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity.
Commercial applicator - Correct Answers -A certified applicator who uses or supervises
the use of pesticides for purposes other than those covered under a private applicator
certification.
Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) - Correct Answers -set pesticide limits in food, & all
active and inactive ingredients must be screened for estrogenic/endocrine effects.
(Amended FIFRA) Review old pesticides and aggregate/cumulative exposure.
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) - Correct Answers -A set of laws
passed by Congress giving authority to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to
oversee the safety of food, drugs, and cosmetics. Also called for the reassessment of
existing tolerances. Governs the establishment of pesticide tolerances for food and
feed.
Worker Protection Standard - Correct Answers -is intended to reduce the incidence of
occupational pesticide exposure and related illnesses/injuries. Employers must supply
pesticide safety training, ppe, and decontamination supplies as well as maintain records
and display specific pesticide safety information.
Questions and Answers
Bioaccumulation - Correct Answers -The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic
chemical, in various tissues of a living organism.
Biomagnification - Correct Answers -Accumulation of pollutants at successive levels of
the food chain
abiotic factors - Correct Answers -natural control measures within the environment.
EX: climactic factors, air/water pollution, topographic features.
Biological Control - Correct Answers -The use of natural enemies to control pests.
EX: Predators, Parasites, Pathogens
Cultural Control - Correct Answers -These are Practices that reduce pest establishment,
reproduction, dispersal and survival.
EX: Mowing, irrigation, aeration, fertilization and sanitation.
certified applicator vs registered tech vs noncertified nonregistered person - Correct
Answers -certified applicators passed cert. exam and are employed by licensed
application business and can apply whenever in certified categories.
registered technicians are registered with PDA and have completed training given by
certified applicator with at least one year of certification. can apply when cert applicator
is available for routine supervision and can be onsite within 5 hours in case of
emergency.
Noncert./nonregistered persons may participate in applications only when a certified
applicator is present and in visual and voice control of the application.
Record keeping - Correct Answers -Records must be recorded within 24 hours of
application and maintained for three years.
Genetic control - Correct Answers -Making use of plant varieties that are naturally
resistant to insect feedings.
Mechanical/Physical control - Correct Answers -Kills a pest directly or makes its
environment unsuitable
EX: Rodent traps, deer fences, mulches, barriers
, Regulatory control - Correct Answers -Removal of pests that cant be controlled at a
local level. Utilizes quarantines to prevent entry of pests at airports or ocean ports and
can be used to remove pests with government power. (i.e. draining standing water that
provides breeding sites for mosquitos.)
Mode of action - Correct Answers -How chemicals kill a pest
Site of action - Correct Answers -The specific biological system affected within the pest
Economic threshold - Correct Answers -The point at which the economic loss caused by
pest damage outweighs the cost of applying a pesticide.
(Treat pests when they pass the economic threshold)
Economic injury level - Correct Answers -the pest population density that causes losses
equal to the cost of control measures
Action threshold - Correct Answers -the predetermined level at which pest control is
needed
Certified applicator - Correct Answers -A person qualified to apply or supervise the
application of restricted-use pesticides.
Private applicator - Correct Answers -A certified applicator who uses or supervises the
use of any restricted-use pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity.
Commercial applicator - Correct Answers -A certified applicator who uses or supervises
the use of pesticides for purposes other than those covered under a private applicator
certification.
Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) - Correct Answers -set pesticide limits in food, & all
active and inactive ingredients must be screened for estrogenic/endocrine effects.
(Amended FIFRA) Review old pesticides and aggregate/cumulative exposure.
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) - Correct Answers -A set of laws
passed by Congress giving authority to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to
oversee the safety of food, drugs, and cosmetics. Also called for the reassessment of
existing tolerances. Governs the establishment of pesticide tolerances for food and
feed.
Worker Protection Standard - Correct Answers -is intended to reduce the incidence of
occupational pesticide exposure and related illnesses/injuries. Employers must supply
pesticide safety training, ppe, and decontamination supplies as well as maintain records
and display specific pesticide safety information.
