2023/24 OH Pesticide Certification – CORE

A pest can be anything that: a. Competes with humans, domestic animals or desirable plants for food or water b. Injures humans, animals, desirable plants, structures, or possessions c. Spreads disease to humans, domestic animals, wildlife, or desirable plants d. Annoys human or domestic animals e. All of the above - ANSWER-E. A pest can be anything that annoys, injures, spreads disease or competes with desired plants, animals, or humans. Examples of pests include weeds, insects, fungi, bacteria, mites and nematodes One requirement for effective pest control is: a. Identification of the pest to be controlled b. New spray equipment c. Using more than the recommended dosage d. Spraying only the field margin - ANSWER-A. Identifying the pest is the first step. Additionally, it is necessary to know what control methods are available; evaluate the benefits and risks of each method or combination of methods; choose the methods that are most effective and will cause the least harm to people and the environment; use each method correctly; and observe local, state, and federal regulations that apply to the situation. A pest-control method should be used only when that method will cost less than the expected value of a loss from the pest. a. True b. False - ANSWER-A. Even though a pest is present, it may not do very much harm. It could cost more to control the pest than to allow the damage to occur. The point at which the cost of the damage exceeds the cost of the control is the "economic threshold." Successful pest control is based on the ability to: a. Eradicate all pests b. Use pesticides whenever pests are identified c. Contaminate the environment d. None of the above - ANSWER-D. The best answer should be to: 1) keep pest damage to a minimum by choosing an appropriate combination of control methods, 2) recognize when direct action is necessary, and 3) endanger the environment as little as possible Which of the following is NOT a pest control goal? a. Prevention - keeping a pest from becoming a problem b. Suppression - reducing pest numbers to an acceptable level c. Eradication - destroying an entire pest population