QAC Pesticide Applicator Test California 2026 Core Exam
Pest An undesirable organism that injures humans, desirable plants and animals,
manufactured products, or natural substances
Pathogens Disease causing organisms
Four Main Groups of Pest Organisms 1. Weeds
2. Invertebrates
3. Pathogens
4. Vertebrates
Weed Undesirable plant
Invertebrate Examples Insects, mites, ticks, spiders, snails, slugs
Pathogen Examples Bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes, mycoplasmas, and other microorganisms
Vertebrate Examples Birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, rodents, and other mammals
Importance of Pest Identification Applicators can learn about its life cycle, behavior, characteristic damage, factors
that favor its development, susceptible life stages, and known control methods.
Could cause pest control success or failure.
6 Pest Management Methods 1. Biological
2. Chemical
3. Cultural
4. Genetic
5. Mechanical/Physical
6. Regulatory
Biological Control Use of natural enemies to control pests.
Avicide Control or repel pest birds
Bactericide Control bacteria
Chemosterilants Sterilize insects or pest vertebrates
Defoliants Causes leaves to drop from plants
, QAC Pesticide Applicator Test California 2026 Core Exam
Desiccants Promote drying or loss of moisture from plant tissues and insects
Disinfectants Control microorganisms
Fungicide Control fungi
Growth Regulators Alter growth or development of plant or animal
Herbicide Control weeds
Insecticide Control insects and related arthropods
Miticide (Acaricide) Control mites
Molluscicides Control snails and slugs
Nematicides Control nematodes
Ovicides Destroy eggs
Pheromone Attract insects
Piscicides Control pest fish
Predacides Control predatory vertebrates
Repellants Repel insects, mites, ticks, pest vertebrates, invertebrates, birds, and mammals
Rodenticides Controls rodents
, QAC Pesticide Applicator Test California 2026 Core Exam
Selective Pesticide Toxic to some pests, but have little or no effect on others
Systemic Pesticide Absorbed and translocated within a plant or animal
Contact Pesticide Must directly touch the pest or a site the pest frequents
Persistence How long a pesticide remains actives to control pest
Residual Pesticides Control pests long term (ie weeks, months, or years)
Cultural Control Practices that reduce pest establishment, reproduction, dispersal, and survival
Examples of Cultural Controls Mowing, irrigation, aeration, fertilization, crop selection, etc.
Genetic Control Selected or bred to resists specific pests
Mechanical Control Kill a pest directly or make its environmental unsuitable
Examples of Mechanical Control Traps, mulches, fences, cloth mesh, etc.
Quarantine Pest control process designed to prevent entry of certain pests into pest-free areas
Eradication Elimination of a pest from a designated area
Integrated Pest Management Strategy that utilizes a wide range of pest control tactics to prevent pests from
reaching economically or aesthetically damaging levels with the least risk to the
environment
Why Practice IPM (5) 1. Balanced ecosystem.
2. Pesticides can be ineffective.
3. Can save money.
4. Promotes healthy environment.
5. Maintains good public image.
Pest An undesirable organism that injures humans, desirable plants and animals,
manufactured products, or natural substances
Pathogens Disease causing organisms
Four Main Groups of Pest Organisms 1. Weeds
2. Invertebrates
3. Pathogens
4. Vertebrates
Weed Undesirable plant
Invertebrate Examples Insects, mites, ticks, spiders, snails, slugs
Pathogen Examples Bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes, mycoplasmas, and other microorganisms
Vertebrate Examples Birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, rodents, and other mammals
Importance of Pest Identification Applicators can learn about its life cycle, behavior, characteristic damage, factors
that favor its development, susceptible life stages, and known control methods.
Could cause pest control success or failure.
6 Pest Management Methods 1. Biological
2. Chemical
3. Cultural
4. Genetic
5. Mechanical/Physical
6. Regulatory
Biological Control Use of natural enemies to control pests.
Avicide Control or repel pest birds
Bactericide Control bacteria
Chemosterilants Sterilize insects or pest vertebrates
Defoliants Causes leaves to drop from plants
, QAC Pesticide Applicator Test California 2026 Core Exam
Desiccants Promote drying or loss of moisture from plant tissues and insects
Disinfectants Control microorganisms
Fungicide Control fungi
Growth Regulators Alter growth or development of plant or animal
Herbicide Control weeds
Insecticide Control insects and related arthropods
Miticide (Acaricide) Control mites
Molluscicides Control snails and slugs
Nematicides Control nematodes
Ovicides Destroy eggs
Pheromone Attract insects
Piscicides Control pest fish
Predacides Control predatory vertebrates
Repellants Repel insects, mites, ticks, pest vertebrates, invertebrates, birds, and mammals
Rodenticides Controls rodents
, QAC Pesticide Applicator Test California 2026 Core Exam
Selective Pesticide Toxic to some pests, but have little or no effect on others
Systemic Pesticide Absorbed and translocated within a plant or animal
Contact Pesticide Must directly touch the pest or a site the pest frequents
Persistence How long a pesticide remains actives to control pest
Residual Pesticides Control pests long term (ie weeks, months, or years)
Cultural Control Practices that reduce pest establishment, reproduction, dispersal, and survival
Examples of Cultural Controls Mowing, irrigation, aeration, fertilization, crop selection, etc.
Genetic Control Selected or bred to resists specific pests
Mechanical Control Kill a pest directly or make its environmental unsuitable
Examples of Mechanical Control Traps, mulches, fences, cloth mesh, etc.
Quarantine Pest control process designed to prevent entry of certain pests into pest-free areas
Eradication Elimination of a pest from a designated area
Integrated Pest Management Strategy that utilizes a wide range of pest control tactics to prevent pests from
reaching economically or aesthetically damaging levels with the least risk to the
environment
Why Practice IPM (5) 1. Balanced ecosystem.
2. Pesticides can be ineffective.
3. Can save money.
4. Promotes healthy environment.
5. Maintains good public image.
