WISCONSIN PESTICIDE 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Ch.7 Describe what is meant by prohibited pesticide, limited-use pesticide, pesticide
governed by a special rule - ✔✔-Prohibited: contains active ingredients & use has been
prohibited due to hazardous nature/persistence.
-Limited-Use: in WI the purchase, sale, or use of some are limited to specifically defined
uses.
-Special Rule: potentially adverse effect on the environment or human health, regulated
through special rules.
✔✔Ch.7 Explain when you may need to get special permits and/or obtain another
certification category to perform certain pesticide applications - ✔✔For some situations
there are regulations that go beyond the need to be certified and you must also obtain a
special permit before buying/using pesticides for these cases.
✔✔Ch.8 Describe the difference between the terms "labels" and "labeling" - ✔✔-Labels:
info printed/attached to the pesticide container or wrapper.
-Labeling: both the actual label and to all addition product info.
✔✔Ch.8 List the 5 times when you should read the relevant parts of a label - ✔✔1.
Before you buy the product, to make sure it's the best choice for the pest you wish to
control and that the product is labeled for the site where you need to use it.
2. Before you store the product.
3. Before you mix and use the product, to be sure you apply it safely, effectively, and at
the proper rate.
4. Before you clean the pesticide application equipment.
5. Before you dispose of the product and/or its container.
✔✔Ch.8 Outline the kinds of information you can find on a label - ✔✔Restricted-use
statement, Trade name, Type of pesticide, Formulation, Ingredient statement, Net
contents, Name & address, EPA registration & establishment numbers
✔✔Ch.8 Explain how products with similar brand names or ingredients may have
different uses - ✔✔Companies often use the same basic name with slight variations for
different products. Different companies may sell products that seem similar but are
registered for different uses. Always check the label for active ingredients and
registered uses.
✔✔Ch.8 List the signal words that you may find on a pesticide label (4) - ✔✔1. Danger-
Poison (often with skull and cross bones)
2. Danger
3. Warning
4. Caution
,✔✔Ch.8 Define what a signal word is and how it related to the relative toxicity of a
product - ✔✔Definition: identify the toxicity category to which the product is assigned.
There are 4 toxicity categories indicated by Roman numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 (1=high 4=low)
✔✔Ch.8 List the 4 ways you may legally deviate from label directions - ✔✔1. Applying a
pesticide at a lower rate, concentration, or frequency than that specified on the label.
2. Applying a pesticide against any target pest not specified on the label if the
application is to the site specified on the label.
3. Using any method of application not prohibited by the label.
4. Mixing two or more pesticides or mixing a pesticide with a fertilizer when such mixture
is not mentioned by the label.
✔✔Ch.8 Explain what to do if state laws are more strict that label directions - ✔✔Label
directions must be consistent with federal laws. However each state may pass pesticide
laws that are more strict that (or in addition to) federal laws. It's important that you know
Wisconsin's laws that govern pesticide use. Otherwise, you might violate state law even
though you followed label directions.
✔✔Ch.8 Explain which directions you should follow when using a product whose label
has changed since you bought it - ✔✔-When to Follow the Old Label: Use the product
according to the label that came with it.
-When Not to Follow the Old Label: A registrant/state/federal agency may
cancel/prohibit a product or a specific use of the product. Then there may be a phase
out date. Anyone who has some of the product may use it up to the specified date; after
that the prohibition extends even to products already in the hands of the end user.
✔✔Ch.8 Describe differences between a pesticide label and an MSDS sheet - ✔✔-
Pesticide Label:
-MSDS Sheet: contains more details and technical info than the label about the
product's chemical and physical properties, toxicological and ecological info, first-aid
procedures, and emergency response.
✔✔Chapter 8 Know the Law - ✔✔The label and the supplemental labeling are legally
binding documents.
✔✔Chapter 8 Know the Law - ✔✔This chapter describes the only 4 ways you may
legally deviate from label directions.
✔✔Ch.9 Explain the difference between hazard and toxicity - ✔✔-Hazard: potential for
injury. (toxicity x exposure)
-Toxicity: measure of a pesticide's capacity to cause injury.
✔✔Ch.9 List the four routes by which pesticides can enter your body - ✔✔1. Dermal
Exposure
2. Oral Exposure
, 3. Inhalation Exposure
4. Eye Exposure
✔✔Ch.9 Give examples of work habits that lead to pesticide exposure via these four
routes - ✔✔1. Dermal Exposure: no wearing PPE, not washing hands, splashing/spilling
on skin, exposure to spray/dust drift, applying on a windy day, touching treated
surfaces.
2. Eye Exposure: rubbing eyes, splashing pesticide into eyes, not wearing eye
protection, applying in windy weather.
3. Oral Exposure: not washing hands before eating, smoking, chewing, or drinking;
splashing pesticide into mouth.
4. Inhalation Exposure: handling pesticides in confined/poorly ventilated areas, handling
dusts/powders, using inadequate/poorly fitting respirator, exposed to spray/dust drift.
✔✔Ch.9 Explain how a pesticide's formulation, or body part exposed, affects how much
pesticide is absorbed through the skin - ✔✔1. Dermal Exposure: amount absorbed
depends on the chemical itself and extent of exposure, as well as product formulation,
area of your body exposed and condition of exposed skin. Pesticides enter body
through cuts, scapes, and hot sweaty skin more easily.
2. Eye Exposure: very absorbent, can be blinded or even fatal.
3. Oral Exposure: relatively rare, almost always due to carelessness.
4 Inhalation Exposure: lungs readily absorb vapors and fine particles.
✔✔Ch.9 Describe the relationship between a pesticide's toxicity and its LD50 and/or
LC50 - ✔✔-Both: The amount of chemical required to kill 50% of the test population is
referred to as the "Lethal Dose to 50%"
-LD50: measure of a pesticide's acute toxicity, a range of doses is either fed to or
applied to skin.
-LC50: measure of chemicals in the air, the material is mixed with air in various
concentrations.
✔✔Ch.9 Describe how pesticides are assigned to toxicity categories and given signal
words - ✔✔A signal word required on a pesticide's label is assigned on the basis of the
highest measured toxicity, whether that is oral, dermal, or inhalation.
✔✔Ch.9 Describe some of the general symptoms of pesticide exposure - ✔✔Varies
greatly from headaches, fatigue weakness to unconsciousness, convulsions, or death.
✔✔Ch.9 Compare the difference between acute, delayed, and allergic effects - ✔✔-
Acute: causes a harmful reaction that doesn't become apparent until much later
-Delayed: illness or injuries that don't appear soon after first exposure; can be delayed
for days, weeks, months, or even years.
-Allergic: harmful effects that some people, but not all, develop when exposed.
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Ch.7 Describe what is meant by prohibited pesticide, limited-use pesticide, pesticide
governed by a special rule - ✔✔-Prohibited: contains active ingredients & use has been
prohibited due to hazardous nature/persistence.
-Limited-Use: in WI the purchase, sale, or use of some are limited to specifically defined
uses.
-Special Rule: potentially adverse effect on the environment or human health, regulated
through special rules.
✔✔Ch.7 Explain when you may need to get special permits and/or obtain another
certification category to perform certain pesticide applications - ✔✔For some situations
there are regulations that go beyond the need to be certified and you must also obtain a
special permit before buying/using pesticides for these cases.
✔✔Ch.8 Describe the difference between the terms "labels" and "labeling" - ✔✔-Labels:
info printed/attached to the pesticide container or wrapper.
-Labeling: both the actual label and to all addition product info.
✔✔Ch.8 List the 5 times when you should read the relevant parts of a label - ✔✔1.
Before you buy the product, to make sure it's the best choice for the pest you wish to
control and that the product is labeled for the site where you need to use it.
2. Before you store the product.
3. Before you mix and use the product, to be sure you apply it safely, effectively, and at
the proper rate.
4. Before you clean the pesticide application equipment.
5. Before you dispose of the product and/or its container.
✔✔Ch.8 Outline the kinds of information you can find on a label - ✔✔Restricted-use
statement, Trade name, Type of pesticide, Formulation, Ingredient statement, Net
contents, Name & address, EPA registration & establishment numbers
✔✔Ch.8 Explain how products with similar brand names or ingredients may have
different uses - ✔✔Companies often use the same basic name with slight variations for
different products. Different companies may sell products that seem similar but are
registered for different uses. Always check the label for active ingredients and
registered uses.
✔✔Ch.8 List the signal words that you may find on a pesticide label (4) - ✔✔1. Danger-
Poison (often with skull and cross bones)
2. Danger
3. Warning
4. Caution
,✔✔Ch.8 Define what a signal word is and how it related to the relative toxicity of a
product - ✔✔Definition: identify the toxicity category to which the product is assigned.
There are 4 toxicity categories indicated by Roman numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 (1=high 4=low)
✔✔Ch.8 List the 4 ways you may legally deviate from label directions - ✔✔1. Applying a
pesticide at a lower rate, concentration, or frequency than that specified on the label.
2. Applying a pesticide against any target pest not specified on the label if the
application is to the site specified on the label.
3. Using any method of application not prohibited by the label.
4. Mixing two or more pesticides or mixing a pesticide with a fertilizer when such mixture
is not mentioned by the label.
✔✔Ch.8 Explain what to do if state laws are more strict that label directions - ✔✔Label
directions must be consistent with federal laws. However each state may pass pesticide
laws that are more strict that (or in addition to) federal laws. It's important that you know
Wisconsin's laws that govern pesticide use. Otherwise, you might violate state law even
though you followed label directions.
✔✔Ch.8 Explain which directions you should follow when using a product whose label
has changed since you bought it - ✔✔-When to Follow the Old Label: Use the product
according to the label that came with it.
-When Not to Follow the Old Label: A registrant/state/federal agency may
cancel/prohibit a product or a specific use of the product. Then there may be a phase
out date. Anyone who has some of the product may use it up to the specified date; after
that the prohibition extends even to products already in the hands of the end user.
✔✔Ch.8 Describe differences between a pesticide label and an MSDS sheet - ✔✔-
Pesticide Label:
-MSDS Sheet: contains more details and technical info than the label about the
product's chemical and physical properties, toxicological and ecological info, first-aid
procedures, and emergency response.
✔✔Chapter 8 Know the Law - ✔✔The label and the supplemental labeling are legally
binding documents.
✔✔Chapter 8 Know the Law - ✔✔This chapter describes the only 4 ways you may
legally deviate from label directions.
✔✔Ch.9 Explain the difference between hazard and toxicity - ✔✔-Hazard: potential for
injury. (toxicity x exposure)
-Toxicity: measure of a pesticide's capacity to cause injury.
✔✔Ch.9 List the four routes by which pesticides can enter your body - ✔✔1. Dermal
Exposure
2. Oral Exposure
, 3. Inhalation Exposure
4. Eye Exposure
✔✔Ch.9 Give examples of work habits that lead to pesticide exposure via these four
routes - ✔✔1. Dermal Exposure: no wearing PPE, not washing hands, splashing/spilling
on skin, exposure to spray/dust drift, applying on a windy day, touching treated
surfaces.
2. Eye Exposure: rubbing eyes, splashing pesticide into eyes, not wearing eye
protection, applying in windy weather.
3. Oral Exposure: not washing hands before eating, smoking, chewing, or drinking;
splashing pesticide into mouth.
4. Inhalation Exposure: handling pesticides in confined/poorly ventilated areas, handling
dusts/powders, using inadequate/poorly fitting respirator, exposed to spray/dust drift.
✔✔Ch.9 Explain how a pesticide's formulation, or body part exposed, affects how much
pesticide is absorbed through the skin - ✔✔1. Dermal Exposure: amount absorbed
depends on the chemical itself and extent of exposure, as well as product formulation,
area of your body exposed and condition of exposed skin. Pesticides enter body
through cuts, scapes, and hot sweaty skin more easily.
2. Eye Exposure: very absorbent, can be blinded or even fatal.
3. Oral Exposure: relatively rare, almost always due to carelessness.
4 Inhalation Exposure: lungs readily absorb vapors and fine particles.
✔✔Ch.9 Describe the relationship between a pesticide's toxicity and its LD50 and/or
LC50 - ✔✔-Both: The amount of chemical required to kill 50% of the test population is
referred to as the "Lethal Dose to 50%"
-LD50: measure of a pesticide's acute toxicity, a range of doses is either fed to or
applied to skin.
-LC50: measure of chemicals in the air, the material is mixed with air in various
concentrations.
✔✔Ch.9 Describe how pesticides are assigned to toxicity categories and given signal
words - ✔✔A signal word required on a pesticide's label is assigned on the basis of the
highest measured toxicity, whether that is oral, dermal, or inhalation.
✔✔Ch.9 Describe some of the general symptoms of pesticide exposure - ✔✔Varies
greatly from headaches, fatigue weakness to unconsciousness, convulsions, or death.
✔✔Ch.9 Compare the difference between acute, delayed, and allergic effects - ✔✔-
Acute: causes a harmful reaction that doesn't become apparent until much later
-Delayed: illness or injuries that don't appear soon after first exposure; can be delayed
for days, weeks, months, or even years.
-Allergic: harmful effects that some people, but not all, develop when exposed.
