VA CORE MANUAL: APPLYING
PESTICIDES CORRECTLY: UNIT 4.
PESTICIDE FORMULATIONS - TERMS
TO KNOW
Abrasive - ANSWER-Capable of wearing away or grinding down another object
Precipitation - ANSWER-The formation of a solid in a solution resulting from a chemical
reaction
Absorption - ANSWER-The process of taking in (soaking up) a substance
Acidic - ANSWER-The opposite of alkaline; having a pH less than 7
Active Ingredient (a.i.) - ANSWER-A chemical in a pesticide product that affects or
controls the target pest
Adjuvant - ANSWER-A substance added to a pesticide formulation or tank mix to
increase its effectiveness or safety (ex. emulsifiers and wetting agents)
Formulation - ANSWER-A pesticide product as sold, usually a mixture of active and
inert ingredients
Impregnates - ANSWER-Solid materials with one or more pesticide active ingredients
incorporated into them (ex. livestock ear tags, plastic pest strips and adhesive tapes,
and pet collars)
Incompatible - ANSWER-A combination of ingredients that is not usable, stable, safe, or
effective
Adsorption - ANSWER-The process of adhesion; coating a particle or binding
something to a surface
Agitation - ANSWER-The process of stirring or mixing
Alkaline - ANSWER-The opposite of acidic; having a pH greater than 7
Carrier - ANSWER-The primary material used to allow a pesticide to be dispersed
effectively. Examples include talc in a dust formulation, water mixed with a wettable
powder before a spray application, and air that disperses the pesticide in an air-blast
application
PESTICIDES CORRECTLY: UNIT 4.
PESTICIDE FORMULATIONS - TERMS
TO KNOW
Abrasive - ANSWER-Capable of wearing away or grinding down another object
Precipitation - ANSWER-The formation of a solid in a solution resulting from a chemical
reaction
Absorption - ANSWER-The process of taking in (soaking up) a substance
Acidic - ANSWER-The opposite of alkaline; having a pH less than 7
Active Ingredient (a.i.) - ANSWER-A chemical in a pesticide product that affects or
controls the target pest
Adjuvant - ANSWER-A substance added to a pesticide formulation or tank mix to
increase its effectiveness or safety (ex. emulsifiers and wetting agents)
Formulation - ANSWER-A pesticide product as sold, usually a mixture of active and
inert ingredients
Impregnates - ANSWER-Solid materials with one or more pesticide active ingredients
incorporated into them (ex. livestock ear tags, plastic pest strips and adhesive tapes,
and pet collars)
Incompatible - ANSWER-A combination of ingredients that is not usable, stable, safe, or
effective
Adsorption - ANSWER-The process of adhesion; coating a particle or binding
something to a surface
Agitation - ANSWER-The process of stirring or mixing
Alkaline - ANSWER-The opposite of acidic; having a pH greater than 7
Carrier - ANSWER-The primary material used to allow a pesticide to be dispersed
effectively. Examples include talc in a dust formulation, water mixed with a wettable
powder before a spray application, and air that disperses the pesticide in an air-blast
application
