MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Exam AND
STUDY GUIDE 400+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
What is a threshold as it relates to IPM?
a. The level of pesticide required to control a pest.
b.The levels of pest populations at which you must take pest control action to prevent unacceptable
damage or injury.
c. A type of structure designed to be more resistant to pest invasion.
d.The levels of heat and moisture required for a pest to survive. - ANSWER-b.The levels of pest
populations at which you must take pest control action to prevent unacceptable damage or injury.
What is pest monitoring ?
a. Watching your pesticide application kill the pest.
b. Recordkeeping of the pesticide used.
c. Checking or scouting for pests in an area to determine what pests are present, how many and how
much damage they are causing.
d. Identifying the pest's predators. - ANSWER-c. Checking or scouting for pests in an area to determine
what pests are present, how many and how much damage they are causing.
How can pest identification help you develop a good pest control strategy? - ANSWER-Identifying the
pest allows you to determine basic information about it, including its life cycle and the time that it is
most susceptible to being controlled.
Why should you consider thresholds when you develop a pest control strategy? - ANSWER-Use of
threshold information can improve your pest control strategy by helping you make a decision about
when to begin management strategies.
Why is pest monitoring so important to pest management? - ANSWER-Monitoring is important to many
pest control strate gies because it helps determine if the threshold has been reached and whether
control measures have been effective.
Define integrated pest management (IPM). - ANSWER-Integrated pest management utilizes all
appropriate economical strategies to manage pests and their damage to acceptable levels with the least
disruption to the environment.
,List several possible control tactics that may be used in an IPM strategy. - ANSWER-Pest management
tactics may include: host resis tance, biological control, cultural control, mechanical control, sanitation
and chemical (pesticide) control.
A pesticide was applied, but it did not control the pest. Name four reasons why the pesticide application
might have failed to control the pest. - ANSWER-The failure of the pesticide to control the pest might
have been caused by : 1. Pest resistance. 2. Choosing the wrong pesticide. 3. Misidentifying the pest. 4.
Applying the wrong amount. 5. Applying the pesticide incorrectly, including applying at the wrong time.
6. Weather problems: too dry, wet, hot or cold.
What can you do to keep the pests you are trying to control from becoming resistant to the pesticides
you use? - ANSWER-Pest resistance can be reduced by using integrated pest management and rotating
the types of pesticides used.
What is the EPA? - ANSWER-U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
What is the basic federal law administered by the EPA in regulating pesticides? - ANSWER-(FIFRA)
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
Violating FIFRA can cost... - ANSWER-A commercial applicator may be fined up to $5,000 for each
offense.
What is FIFRA's definition of misuse? - ANSWER-"to use any pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its
labeling".
This act mandated keeping records of RUP applications. - ANSWER-The 1990 Farm Bill (officially called
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade [FACT] Act of 1990.
( The federal pesticide recordkeeping requirements primarily affect private applicators because
commercial applicators are already required to keep records by Michigan's Regulation 636)
,What is the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA)? - ANSWER-This legislation
provides a means to protect people from chemical emergencies by requiring state and local agencies to
gather information about the quantities and locations of hazardous chemicals in their community.
What does the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) cover? - ANSWER-It covers pesticides that are used in
the production of agricultural plants on farms, and in forests, nurseries and greenhouses. The WPS
requires that you take steps to reduce the risk of pesticide-related illness and injury if you use such
pesticides, or employ workers or pesticide handlers who are exposed to such pesticides.
What are the OSHA requirements for employers? - ANSWER-- OSHA recordkeeping and reporting
requirements apply to employers with 10 or more workers.
- Regardless of the number of employees you have, if a work-related death occurs or if five or more
employees are hospitalized, OSHA must be notified within 48 hours.
What is the Endangered Species Act? - ANSWER-The federal Endangered Species Act requires the U.S.
EPA to ensure that endangered species are protected from pesticides.
The Act requires each pesticide label to limit its use in areas where endangered species could be
harmed.
County bulletins that define habitat areas will be available from pesticide dealers or county Extension
offices.
What is the CZMA? - ANSWER-The Coastal Zone Management Act. "Protecting Coastal Waters." This
provision requires Michigan and other states to develop and implement Coastal Non-point Pollution
Control Programs to improve and protect water quality.
SMP - ANSWER-State Management Plan
What are commercial registered technicians allowed to do? - ANSWER-A registered technician working
for a licensed pesticide applicator firm may apply general use pesticides under supervision of a certified
applicator and restricted use pesticide (RUPs) while under direct supervision.
Regulation 636 - Pesticide Applicators - ANSWER-Regulation 636 establishes the two types of certified
applicators as discussed above—private and commercial.
, All commercial applicators shall maintain records of pesticide use for a time period not less than the
following:
General-use pesticides. One year following application.
Restricted-use pesticides. Three years following the application.
What needs to be included in pesticide record keeping? - ANSWER-All records shall contain the
following:
A. The name and concentration of the pesticide applied and the EPA registration number.
B. The amount of pesticide applied.
C. The target pest or purpose.
D. The date the pesticide was applied.
E. The address or location of pesticide application.
F. Where applicable, the method and rate of application.
How much experience do approved trainers need? - ANSWER-2 years
Regulation 637 - ANSWER-Pesticide Use
Regulation 637 sets standards for pesticide use. It requires that pesticides be used in a manner
consistent with their labels, that applications be made in a manner that prevents off-target discharges of
pesticides, and that pesticide application equipment be properly calibrated and in sound mechanical
condition.
Regulation 640 - ANSWER-Commercial Pesticide Bulk Storage
If BOTH of the following conditions apply to your facility or operation, it must be registered annually
with the MDA. 1.Stores pesticides in individual quantities greater than 55 gallons (liquid) or 100 pounds
(dry). 2.Distributes these bulk pesticides as a direct sale or as part of a service you perform. Regulation
640 sets rules for commercial pesticide storage
How can an empty pesticide container be recycled? - ANSWER-Empty pesticide containers that have
been triplerinsed or power-rinsed (with a high-pressure nozzle) can be recycled at an MDA pesticide
container recycling program. Pesticide containers need to be triple- or powerrinsed and punctured
STUDY GUIDE 400+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
What is a threshold as it relates to IPM?
a. The level of pesticide required to control a pest.
b.The levels of pest populations at which you must take pest control action to prevent unacceptable
damage or injury.
c. A type of structure designed to be more resistant to pest invasion.
d.The levels of heat and moisture required for a pest to survive. - ANSWER-b.The levels of pest
populations at which you must take pest control action to prevent unacceptable damage or injury.
What is pest monitoring ?
a. Watching your pesticide application kill the pest.
b. Recordkeeping of the pesticide used.
c. Checking or scouting for pests in an area to determine what pests are present, how many and how
much damage they are causing.
d. Identifying the pest's predators. - ANSWER-c. Checking or scouting for pests in an area to determine
what pests are present, how many and how much damage they are causing.
How can pest identification help you develop a good pest control strategy? - ANSWER-Identifying the
pest allows you to determine basic information about it, including its life cycle and the time that it is
most susceptible to being controlled.
Why should you consider thresholds when you develop a pest control strategy? - ANSWER-Use of
threshold information can improve your pest control strategy by helping you make a decision about
when to begin management strategies.
Why is pest monitoring so important to pest management? - ANSWER-Monitoring is important to many
pest control strate gies because it helps determine if the threshold has been reached and whether
control measures have been effective.
Define integrated pest management (IPM). - ANSWER-Integrated pest management utilizes all
appropriate economical strategies to manage pests and their damage to acceptable levels with the least
disruption to the environment.
,List several possible control tactics that may be used in an IPM strategy. - ANSWER-Pest management
tactics may include: host resis tance, biological control, cultural control, mechanical control, sanitation
and chemical (pesticide) control.
A pesticide was applied, but it did not control the pest. Name four reasons why the pesticide application
might have failed to control the pest. - ANSWER-The failure of the pesticide to control the pest might
have been caused by : 1. Pest resistance. 2. Choosing the wrong pesticide. 3. Misidentifying the pest. 4.
Applying the wrong amount. 5. Applying the pesticide incorrectly, including applying at the wrong time.
6. Weather problems: too dry, wet, hot or cold.
What can you do to keep the pests you are trying to control from becoming resistant to the pesticides
you use? - ANSWER-Pest resistance can be reduced by using integrated pest management and rotating
the types of pesticides used.
What is the EPA? - ANSWER-U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
What is the basic federal law administered by the EPA in regulating pesticides? - ANSWER-(FIFRA)
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
Violating FIFRA can cost... - ANSWER-A commercial applicator may be fined up to $5,000 for each
offense.
What is FIFRA's definition of misuse? - ANSWER-"to use any pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its
labeling".
This act mandated keeping records of RUP applications. - ANSWER-The 1990 Farm Bill (officially called
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade [FACT] Act of 1990.
( The federal pesticide recordkeeping requirements primarily affect private applicators because
commercial applicators are already required to keep records by Michigan's Regulation 636)
,What is the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA)? - ANSWER-This legislation
provides a means to protect people from chemical emergencies by requiring state and local agencies to
gather information about the quantities and locations of hazardous chemicals in their community.
What does the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) cover? - ANSWER-It covers pesticides that are used in
the production of agricultural plants on farms, and in forests, nurseries and greenhouses. The WPS
requires that you take steps to reduce the risk of pesticide-related illness and injury if you use such
pesticides, or employ workers or pesticide handlers who are exposed to such pesticides.
What are the OSHA requirements for employers? - ANSWER-- OSHA recordkeeping and reporting
requirements apply to employers with 10 or more workers.
- Regardless of the number of employees you have, if a work-related death occurs or if five or more
employees are hospitalized, OSHA must be notified within 48 hours.
What is the Endangered Species Act? - ANSWER-The federal Endangered Species Act requires the U.S.
EPA to ensure that endangered species are protected from pesticides.
The Act requires each pesticide label to limit its use in areas where endangered species could be
harmed.
County bulletins that define habitat areas will be available from pesticide dealers or county Extension
offices.
What is the CZMA? - ANSWER-The Coastal Zone Management Act. "Protecting Coastal Waters." This
provision requires Michigan and other states to develop and implement Coastal Non-point Pollution
Control Programs to improve and protect water quality.
SMP - ANSWER-State Management Plan
What are commercial registered technicians allowed to do? - ANSWER-A registered technician working
for a licensed pesticide applicator firm may apply general use pesticides under supervision of a certified
applicator and restricted use pesticide (RUPs) while under direct supervision.
Regulation 636 - Pesticide Applicators - ANSWER-Regulation 636 establishes the two types of certified
applicators as discussed above—private and commercial.
, All commercial applicators shall maintain records of pesticide use for a time period not less than the
following:
General-use pesticides. One year following application.
Restricted-use pesticides. Three years following the application.
What needs to be included in pesticide record keeping? - ANSWER-All records shall contain the
following:
A. The name and concentration of the pesticide applied and the EPA registration number.
B. The amount of pesticide applied.
C. The target pest or purpose.
D. The date the pesticide was applied.
E. The address or location of pesticide application.
F. Where applicable, the method and rate of application.
How much experience do approved trainers need? - ANSWER-2 years
Regulation 637 - ANSWER-Pesticide Use
Regulation 637 sets standards for pesticide use. It requires that pesticides be used in a manner
consistent with their labels, that applications be made in a manner that prevents off-target discharges of
pesticides, and that pesticide application equipment be properly calibrated and in sound mechanical
condition.
Regulation 640 - ANSWER-Commercial Pesticide Bulk Storage
If BOTH of the following conditions apply to your facility or operation, it must be registered annually
with the MDA. 1.Stores pesticides in individual quantities greater than 55 gallons (liquid) or 100 pounds
(dry). 2.Distributes these bulk pesticides as a direct sale or as part of a service you perform. Regulation
640 sets rules for commercial pesticide storage
How can an empty pesticide container be recycled? - ANSWER-Empty pesticide containers that have
been triplerinsed or power-rinsed (with a high-pressure nozzle) can be recycled at an MDA pesticide
container recycling program. Pesticide containers need to be triple- or powerrinsed and punctured
