NYSDEC PESTICIDE APPLICATORS
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
EXAM REVIEW Q&A UPDATED
⩥ Pesticide. Answer: any substance or mixture of substances used to kill
pests or to prevent/reduce the damage pests cause
⩥ IPM. Answer: an approach to pest management in which we combine
all available necessary techniques into a unified program with the goal
of managing pest populations in a way that avoids pest damage and
minimizes adverse effects
⩥ Pesticide Use. Answer: the application of the pesticide AND the
transport and storage of a pesticide after the manufacturer's seal has been
broken; also cleaning pesticide equipment, disposal of pesticides and
their containers
⩥ Site. Answer: The particular entity to which a pesticide is or could be
applied i.e, a pesticide applied in the backyard: site might be 'turf'
whereas 'backyard' would be location
⩥ Label. Answer: The information about the product and its use that is
printed on or attached to the pesticide container at the time of purchase
,⩥ Labeling. Answer: Gives you instructions on how to use the product
legally and correctly. Includes the label itself plus all other information:
referenced on the label, received from the manufacturer about the
product when you buy it, approved by regulatory agencies regarding the
use of the products
⩥ Labeled. Answer: the use that is listed on and allowed by the pesticide
product label. I.e, if a pesticide label states it can be used on particular
vegetables such as tomatoes, the pesticide is labelled for use on
tomatoes. Can also be used to describe a container which holds a
pesticide
⩥ Pesticide Product v Pest Control Device. Answer: a device is any
mechanical instrument (sans firearm) intended for trapping, destroying,
repelling, or mitigating any pest where as a pesticide product is a
substance or mixture of substances. Pesticide regulations do not pertain
to pest control devices unless packaged with a substance
⩥ Reasons to follow directions on the label / labeling. Answer: provides
the information you need to use the product as effectively and safely as
possible. Includes name of the product and ingredients that control the
pest; who makes or distributes product; restriction as to who can
purchase or use; info about hazards to human health/environment; safety
precautions and first aid measures; directions for use
⩥ Four basic survival needs which bring pests into conflict with people.
Answer: Food, Water, Shelter, Breeding Sites
, ⩥ Example of pest types within each fo the 4 main groups of pests.
Answer: Insects , Vertebrates (rodents), Plants, Microorganisms (fungi
like mold/mildew)
⩥ Different types of insect metamorphosis. Answer: No metamorphosis
(springtails): egg, young, adult
Gradual Metamorphosis (aphids): egg, nymph, adult
Complete metamorphosis (butterfly): egg, larva, pupa, adult
⩥ Where on the label might you find which pests the pesticide will
control. Answer: "Direction for Use" section of label
⩥ Sources from which we get pesticides. Answer: minerals, plants,
insects (hormones/pheromones), microorganisms (Bt)
⩥ Mode of action. Answer: the way a pesticide acts on a pest
⩥ Residual vs nonresidual insecticides. Answer: Residual provide
control for hours, days, weeks ,or even longer after application.
Nonresidual are effective only at the time of application / a short time
afterwards
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
EXAM REVIEW Q&A UPDATED
⩥ Pesticide. Answer: any substance or mixture of substances used to kill
pests or to prevent/reduce the damage pests cause
⩥ IPM. Answer: an approach to pest management in which we combine
all available necessary techniques into a unified program with the goal
of managing pest populations in a way that avoids pest damage and
minimizes adverse effects
⩥ Pesticide Use. Answer: the application of the pesticide AND the
transport and storage of a pesticide after the manufacturer's seal has been
broken; also cleaning pesticide equipment, disposal of pesticides and
their containers
⩥ Site. Answer: The particular entity to which a pesticide is or could be
applied i.e, a pesticide applied in the backyard: site might be 'turf'
whereas 'backyard' would be location
⩥ Label. Answer: The information about the product and its use that is
printed on or attached to the pesticide container at the time of purchase
,⩥ Labeling. Answer: Gives you instructions on how to use the product
legally and correctly. Includes the label itself plus all other information:
referenced on the label, received from the manufacturer about the
product when you buy it, approved by regulatory agencies regarding the
use of the products
⩥ Labeled. Answer: the use that is listed on and allowed by the pesticide
product label. I.e, if a pesticide label states it can be used on particular
vegetables such as tomatoes, the pesticide is labelled for use on
tomatoes. Can also be used to describe a container which holds a
pesticide
⩥ Pesticide Product v Pest Control Device. Answer: a device is any
mechanical instrument (sans firearm) intended for trapping, destroying,
repelling, or mitigating any pest where as a pesticide product is a
substance or mixture of substances. Pesticide regulations do not pertain
to pest control devices unless packaged with a substance
⩥ Reasons to follow directions on the label / labeling. Answer: provides
the information you need to use the product as effectively and safely as
possible. Includes name of the product and ingredients that control the
pest; who makes or distributes product; restriction as to who can
purchase or use; info about hazards to human health/environment; safety
precautions and first aid measures; directions for use
⩥ Four basic survival needs which bring pests into conflict with people.
Answer: Food, Water, Shelter, Breeding Sites
, ⩥ Example of pest types within each fo the 4 main groups of pests.
Answer: Insects , Vertebrates (rodents), Plants, Microorganisms (fungi
like mold/mildew)
⩥ Different types of insect metamorphosis. Answer: No metamorphosis
(springtails): egg, young, adult
Gradual Metamorphosis (aphids): egg, nymph, adult
Complete metamorphosis (butterfly): egg, larva, pupa, adult
⩥ Where on the label might you find which pests the pesticide will
control. Answer: "Direction for Use" section of label
⩥ Sources from which we get pesticides. Answer: minerals, plants,
insects (hormones/pheromones), microorganisms (Bt)
⩥ Mode of action. Answer: the way a pesticide acts on a pest
⩥ Residual vs nonresidual insecticides. Answer: Residual provide
control for hours, days, weeks ,or even longer after application.
Nonresidual are effective only at the time of application / a short time
afterwards
