PESTICIDE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION SAMPLE QUESTIONS
COMPLETE EXAM REVIEW | VERIFIED & UPDATED 2025–2026
Using barriers to prevent pests from getting
into an area is an example of which type of pest
management method?
A. Biological control.
B. Mechanical control.
C. Genetic control.
D. Chemical control. - correct answer -B.
Lowering the humidity of stored grains and other
food products to reduce damage from mold is
an example of which type of pest management
method?
A. Biological.
B. Mechanical.
C. Physical/environmental modification.
D. Regulatory pest control. - correct answer -C.
Which statement is true about biological control
methods?
,A. If pesticides are part of a biological control
program to control an exotic pest, it is better
to apply them at the strongest label rate
and to choose the more toxic pesticides.
B. Modifying the environment to enhance
natural enemies is a recommended practice
in biological control.
C. Biological control involves the importation
of exotic pests to control natural enemies.
D. Using several cultural practices and a wide variety
of pesticides works best in biological control. - correct answer -B.
Sealing cracks and crevices and small openings
in buildings is an example of which type of
mechanical control method?
A. Exclusion.
B. Trapping.
C. Cultivation.
D. Mulching. - correct answer -A.
Which statement is true about cultural control
practices?
A. Cultural practices alter the environment, the
condition of the host, or the behavior of the
,pest to prevent or suppress an infestation.
B. Trapping is an important cultural control practice.
C. Sanitation is not considered a cultural practice.
D. Cultural controls involve the release of parasites
and predators found in foreign countries. - correct answer -A.
Which statement is true about regulatory pest
control?
A. Pests that pose a serious public health threat
are rarely regulated by federal and state
agencies.
B. Pests that are to be eradicated are rarely
under quarantine restrictions.
C. Airports and ocean ports are monitored by
pest quarantine regulatory agencies.
D. Entry of pests across state lines is not regulated. - correct answer -C.
Which statement is true about pest management
strategies in IPM?
A. The goal is often to maintain pest damage
at economically acceptable levels.
B. Eradication is never the goal of an IPM
program.
C. Pesticides are not included in an IPM
, strategy.
D. Non-chemical methods usually provide only
short-term control of a pest. - correct answer -A.
Which would be considered a preventive pest
management strategy?
A. Planting weed- and disease-free seed.
B. Releasing natural enemies to help reduce
pest populations.
C. Eliminating rodents from a commercial
food establishment.
D. Removing from an area a pest that is a
public health concern. - correct answer -A.
Which statement is true about action
thresholds?
A. The IPM technician needs to implement
control measures below the action threshold
level.
B. The action threshold for a pest may be set
at a zero pest population density.
C. Action thresholds are usually easy to
COMPLETE EXAM REVIEW | VERIFIED & UPDATED 2025–2026
Using barriers to prevent pests from getting
into an area is an example of which type of pest
management method?
A. Biological control.
B. Mechanical control.
C. Genetic control.
D. Chemical control. - correct answer -B.
Lowering the humidity of stored grains and other
food products to reduce damage from mold is
an example of which type of pest management
method?
A. Biological.
B. Mechanical.
C. Physical/environmental modification.
D. Regulatory pest control. - correct answer -C.
Which statement is true about biological control
methods?
,A. If pesticides are part of a biological control
program to control an exotic pest, it is better
to apply them at the strongest label rate
and to choose the more toxic pesticides.
B. Modifying the environment to enhance
natural enemies is a recommended practice
in biological control.
C. Biological control involves the importation
of exotic pests to control natural enemies.
D. Using several cultural practices and a wide variety
of pesticides works best in biological control. - correct answer -B.
Sealing cracks and crevices and small openings
in buildings is an example of which type of
mechanical control method?
A. Exclusion.
B. Trapping.
C. Cultivation.
D. Mulching. - correct answer -A.
Which statement is true about cultural control
practices?
A. Cultural practices alter the environment, the
condition of the host, or the behavior of the
,pest to prevent or suppress an infestation.
B. Trapping is an important cultural control practice.
C. Sanitation is not considered a cultural practice.
D. Cultural controls involve the release of parasites
and predators found in foreign countries. - correct answer -A.
Which statement is true about regulatory pest
control?
A. Pests that pose a serious public health threat
are rarely regulated by federal and state
agencies.
B. Pests that are to be eradicated are rarely
under quarantine restrictions.
C. Airports and ocean ports are monitored by
pest quarantine regulatory agencies.
D. Entry of pests across state lines is not regulated. - correct answer -C.
Which statement is true about pest management
strategies in IPM?
A. The goal is often to maintain pest damage
at economically acceptable levels.
B. Eradication is never the goal of an IPM
program.
C. Pesticides are not included in an IPM
, strategy.
D. Non-chemical methods usually provide only
short-term control of a pest. - correct answer -A.
Which would be considered a preventive pest
management strategy?
A. Planting weed- and disease-free seed.
B. Releasing natural enemies to help reduce
pest populations.
C. Eliminating rodents from a commercial
food establishment.
D. Removing from an area a pest that is a
public health concern. - correct answer -A.
Which statement is true about action
thresholds?
A. The IPM technician needs to implement
control measures below the action threshold
level.
B. The action threshold for a pest may be set
at a zero pest population density.
C. Action thresholds are usually easy to
