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California SPCB Applicator Exam 2026/2027 | Structural Pest Control Board Study Questions

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Prepare for the California Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) Applicator Examination with targeted study questions covering pesticide equipment, pesticide formulations and mixing, safe application procedures, pesticide label directions, general pest control, termites and wood-destroying organisms, safety, and applicator licensing knowledge. The California SPCB currently administers an applicator licensing examination for candidates seeking authority in structural pest control.

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Structural Pest Control Board Applicators Exam Study Questions

What are the identifying features of a female black widow Glossy black, globe-like abdomen with a deep red hour glass on her stomach.
spider?



What are the identifying features of a black widow web? It is irregular with no distinct pattern and very strong in comparison to most other
spiders.



What does the term 'Ballooning' mean? When spiderlings (newly hatched spiders) climb to a high place, spin a piece of
web, throw it out into the breeze and float away.



What are chelicera? Fangs of a spider.




What color is a male black widow spider? Brown




What is the Toxicity Category 1 signal word? And what Danger. It signifies 'Highly Toxic'.
does it signify?
Danger LD50 = 0 -50


What is the Toxicity Category 2 signal word? And what Warning. It signifies 'Moderately Toxic'.
does it signify?
Warning LD50=50-500


What is the Toxicity Category 3 signal word? And what Caution. It signifies 'Slightly Toxic'.
does it signify?
Caution LD50= 500-5000


What is the Toxicity Category 4 signal word? And what No signal word is required. It signifies 'Relatively Non-toxic'.
does it signify?



What are the 11 key parts of a pesticide label? 1. Classification of pesticide use
2. Product name
3. Type of formulation
4. Ingredient statement
5. Net contents of container
6. Signal word
7. Name of manufacturing company
8. EPA registration and establishment numbers
9. Directions for use
10. Hazard Statement
11. Storage and disposal information.


What species of recluse spider is found in the Southwest? The Desert Recluse




What are the identifying features of a recluse spider? Brown with a violin shape behind its head. Usually found in dark places; wood piles,
under rocks, closets and stored boxes.



What is the largest native spider in the U.S.? The Tarantula

, Structural Pest Control Board Applicators Exam Study Questions

What does Tarantula mean? Big, hairy spider




How does a tarantula live? They live in burrows or gaps under rocks. They will often utilize an abandoned
rodent hole which they will at least partially line with silk.



What is the most persistent and troublesome ant that The Argentine Ant.
invades houses?



What are some identifying features of an argentine ant Argentine ants live in shallow galleries in the ground, often only a few inches deep.
colony?
One colony will have multiple queens.

They feed off of aphid honeydew, and will often defend the aphids.


What are some identifying features of the imported fire ant Usually found to live in large mounds in fields, woodlands and other open spaces.
and of the black fire ant?
Will eat pretty much anything organic; other insects, seeds, fruits, meats,
vegetables, flowers, honeydew, etc.

One prominent queen.

Have a stinger and can bite.

Very hostile to other ants.


What are the identifying features of a Wolf Spider? Large, hairy spider.

Had three rows of eyes when most other spiders have two rows.

Three tiny claws on the end of each leg

Will prey on their victims instead of weaving webs. Will even prey on black widows.

Can inflict serious bites on humans.


What are the identifying features of a Orb Weaver Spider? The spider is know to have beautiful spoke-patterned webs you see hanging
between trees or shrubs.

They are medium to large-sized, with a body of about a half-inch to an inch.

There are many kinds of web (or orb) weaver spiders, most have a large abdomen
and fairly long legs. They range in body size up to about an inch, and many have
color markings. At least two varieties can inflict bites on humans, notably the
Common Orb Weaver and the Jeweled Araneus.


What are the identifying features of a Funnel Spider? It is know to builds its web in a funnel shape.
The spider hides at the back of the funnel when disturbed. They actually prey upon
the Black Widow Spider along with other insects on the ground.


What are some identifying features of the thief ant? Tiny, pale brownish ant.

Eats meats, cheeses, grease foods, and other dead insects.

Nest in galleries in dirt. Often very near another colony of ants so they can raid and
steal food from the other colony (hence the name).

They will build colonies in houses; walls, cupboards, cracks and crevices.

They can host diseases and tapeworms which can be an additional problem for
humans.

, Structural Pest Control Board Applicators Exam Study Questions

What are some identifying features of the velvety tree ant? Red and black in color. Abdomen appears velvety.

Colonies live in trees, old stumps, and underground.

Found in foothill and mountain areas, and they will invade homes.

Will commonly tend to aphids

Will bring dead insects and other food back their nests.

Will bite and inject poison into the wound.


What some identifying features of the odorous house ant? Very small, brown to black in color.

Rotten coconut- like smell when crushed.

Nest just about anywhere, under stones, pavement, inside houses.

When outside galleries will e very shallow, only a few inches deep.

Feed on sweets usually aphid honeydew.

Will routinely invade houses in search for food.

Will have multiple queens in one colony.


What are some identifying features of the Southern Fire Yellow to red in color.
Ant?
Build mounds in open spaces, but can be found in lawns, rotten wood, under
concrete and beneath houses.

Feed on fatty oily substances.

Will inflict a painful sting (how they got their name).


What does LD50 mean? Lethal dose (LD50) is the amount of an ingested substance that kills 50 percent of a
test sample. It is expressed in mg/kg, or milligrams of substance per kilogram of
body weight.

The lower the amount, the higher the toxicity. This is because it took less of the
substance to kill 50% of test subjects.

LD 50 is ratio mg of poison / kg of body weight.

So the smaller the LD50 number the MORE toxic it is.

Most Dangerous compound:
Botulinum LD50 (0.000009) = 9 ng/kg
Cyanide LD50 (6.8)

Comparing:
Atrazine Herbicide LD50 (3000)
Caffeine LD50 (200)

So it would take 15 times more atrazine to kill you than caffeine.
3000/200 = 15 times.


What is the LD50 for only three of the Toxicity Category Danger LD50= 0-50
signal word Danger, Warning, and Caution? Warning LD50=50-500
Caution LD50 = 500-5000


When using pesticides, what should you always do before Wash your hands
you eat, drink, smoke, or use the restroom?



No job is finished until what has been done? The pesticides, containers, and equipment have been put away properly.

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