TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
PESTICIDE APPLICATOR'S STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Define IPM - CORRECT ANSWER-1. a pest population management system that
anticipates and prevents pests from causing damage.
2. an ecological approach to pest control.
Components of IPM - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-Texas
Department of Agriculture (TDA)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
What is the federal law that regulates the sale and use of pesticides? - CORRECT
ANSWER-The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
What is a state-limited-use pesticide? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT
ANSWER-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? - CORRECT
ANSWER-The licensed applicator (may be private, commercial, or noncommercial).
What practical knowledge and skills should a private applicator have? - CORRECT
ANSWER-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? - CORRECT
ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-
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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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. -
CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-Failure to provide such information may be grounds
for denial, suspension or revocation of the license.
When can a person request prior notification? - CORRECT ANSWER-Prior notification
can be requested when pesticides are being applied with air-blast, mist blowing or aerial
equipment by people on adjoining property living within 1/4 mile or by persons in charge
of day-care centers, hospitals, or nursing homes, and schools within 1/4 mile of the
application.
Name an accepted method of giving prior notification of a scheduled application to a
neighbor who has requested prior notification. - CORRECT ANSWER-The notification
may be made by raising an EPA WPS flag/sign in or about the field to which pesticides
are scheduled to be applied.
How long are licensed pesticide applicators required to keep records? What type of
pesticides are required to be included in these records? - CORRECT ANSWER-A
person license or certified as a private applicator must maintain records of each
application of a restricted-use pesticide, state-limited0use pesticide, or regulated
herbicide. Records of pesticide use must be maintained for a period of two years.
PESTICIDE APPLICATOR'S STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Define IPM - CORRECT ANSWER-1. a pest population management system that
anticipates and prevents pests from causing damage.
2. an ecological approach to pest control.
Components of IPM - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-Texas
Department of Agriculture (TDA)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
What is the federal law that regulates the sale and use of pesticides? - CORRECT
ANSWER-The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
What is a state-limited-use pesticide? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT
ANSWER-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? - CORRECT
ANSWER-The licensed applicator (may be private, commercial, or noncommercial).
What practical knowledge and skills should a private applicator have? - CORRECT
ANSWER-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? - CORRECT
ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-
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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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. -
CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-Failure to provide such information may be grounds
for denial, suspension or revocation of the license.
When can a person request prior notification? - CORRECT ANSWER-Prior notification
can be requested when pesticides are being applied with air-blast, mist blowing or aerial
equipment by people on adjoining property living within 1/4 mile or by persons in charge
of day-care centers, hospitals, or nursing homes, and schools within 1/4 mile of the
application.
Name an accepted method of giving prior notification of a scheduled application to a
neighbor who has requested prior notification. - CORRECT ANSWER-The notification
may be made by raising an EPA WPS flag/sign in or about the field to which pesticides
are scheduled to be applied.
How long are licensed pesticide applicators required to keep records? What type of
pesticides are required to be included in these records? - CORRECT ANSWER-A
person license or certified as a private applicator must maintain records of each
application of a restricted-use pesticide, state-limited0use pesticide, or regulated
herbicide. Records of pesticide use must be maintained for a period of two years.
