Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Test
Commercial Category 6.0
Compare and contrast Solid and Hazardous wastes: - ANS-Solid wastes can sometimes be
solid, liquid or contained gas, in terms of pest. disposal, solid waste is anything that is not
considered hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is the pest. itself if determined as such by the
SDS.
Compare selective and non-selective herbicides: - ANS-Selective herbicides only harm certain
plants and leave others unharmed. Non-selective herbicides are toxic to most or all plants.
Define and explain "pesticide". - ANS-A pesticide is any substance used to directly control pest
populations or to prevent or reduce pest damage. Pesticides can range from anything such as
an insecticide to a herbicide to a fungicide.
Define overspray and drift. - ANS-Overspray is the direct application of pests. beyond the
boundaries of the target area. Drift is the movement of pests. in air currents onto property
beyond the boundaries of the target area.
Describe the function of inert ingredients: - ANS-They do not possess pesticidial activity but are
added to improve application effectiveness, safety, handling, storage or other characteristics of
the final product.
Describe the life cycles and propagation of annual, biennial, and perennial plants - ANS-Annual
plants live for less than a year, they produce many seeds in one growing season, and then die.
Summer annuals winter as seeds, and winter annuals winter as a low-growing plant, both
summer and winter annuals are easiest to control when they are small. Biennial plants live for
two growing seasons, they germinate from seed in the spring or summer and winter as a rosette
of leaves. They flower in their second year, produce seeds and then die. Both annuals and
biennials reproduce only by seed. Perennial plants live for at least 2 years and sometimes
longer, they may reproduce by seed or vegetatively through several different mechanisms.
Describe the short-term storage of empty containers and of pesticides at an application site: -
ANS-You must cover or otherwise secure pesticides and containers that you temporarily hold at
a mixing and loading or application site to prevent unauthorized access or water contamination.
You must have a designated area for properly rinsed containers.
Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and herbaceous from woody plants - ANS-Grasses
are considered monocots, meaning they have a single seed leaf, they also have narrow leaves
,with parallel veins and a fibrous root system. Broadleaf plants have two seed leaves and are
therefore called dicots, they have broad leaves with veins that form a net patterns. Broadleaf
plants can be further classified into herbaceous and woody, where the woody plants have a
thick layer of dense tissue called bark, which herbaceous plants lack.
How and when should you apply soil herbicides? - ANS-Soil treatments are commonly used
when a site requires residual non-selective control, such as electric transformer stations, rail
ballasts and signpost bases. They can be applied any time that the soil is not frozen, and some
soil applied herbicides need to be transported by rain to be absorbed by the plant.
How are adjuvants used most effectively? - ANS-Adjuvants may be necessary to use for better
absorption by foliage that is extremely waxy or hairy.
How are pesticides assigned to toxicity categories or given signal words? - ANS-The signal
words are assigned on the basis of the highest measured toxicity, whether that is oral, dermal or
inhalation. Signal words indicate the relative toxicity of the pesticide.
How can pesticides get into groundwater or surface water, and what do the terms point and
non-point source pollution mean? - ANS-Point source pollution is: a pest. spill entering a storm
sewer, back-siphoning, repeated spilling of pests. at mixing and loading sites, careless spilling
of wash water at equip. cleanup sites, improper handling of spills and leaks at storage sites and
improper disposal of containers, rinsate and excess pests.
Non-point source pollution: the movement of pests. into streams or groundwater following a
broadcast application to a large turf area, right-of-way, or agricultural field.
How can the different characteristics of pesticides effect movement of a pesticide from a target
site? - ANS-Solubility, absorption, volatility and persistence all effect the movement of a pest. off
target.
How can you obtain a uniform spray pattern with a broadcast sprayer? - ANS-Check that the
nozzle flow rate is about the same for each nozzle on the boom, check that the spray pattern is
uniform, adjust operating pressure and sprayer ground speed to get the spray rate per unit area
within the desired range, determine how much pesticide and water you need to add to the spray
tank.
How do application practices effect the chance for surface and groundwater contamination? -
ANS-By applying pesticides in areas only if absolutely necessary and by techniques that
minimize the risk of leaching and or runoff, risk of water contamination can be greatly reduced.
How do you keep soil herbicides from moving off target? - ANS-Do not apply herbicides to areas
where they may leach into groundwater, or run off into water sources or cropping areas. Also
avoid applying herbicides to areas where desired tree and shrub roots may extend and DO NOT
apply herbicides to frozen soils.
, How do you know if a site is suitable for mixing and loading or cleaning application equipment? -
ANS-A suitable site will have a curbed or sloped surface to contain spills and prevent water or
other liquids on adjacent surfaces form flowing onto it. It must also be paved or lined with
liquid-tight materials approved by the DATCP.
How do you recognize and respond to shock? - ANS-The victim's skin will be pale, moist, cold
and clammy. Their eyes will be vacant and their pupils will be dilated, breathing will be shallow
and irregular and their pulse will be weak, rapid or irregular. Unless they are vomiting, place the
victim on their back and elevate their feet above their heart. Keep the victim warm, quiet and
give them reassurance.
How does chemical resistance effect a workers acceptance of PPE? - ANS-It must be resistant
enough to keep chemicals away from the skin.
How does heat stress effect a person? - ANS-It can make them feel ill and impair their ability to
do a good job. Less blood is going to the active muscles, the brain and organs. Weakness and
fatigue accompany other symptoms of heat stress.
How does pesticide resistance arise in a pest population? - ANS-Due to the large population of
pests, there is bound to be a few individuals within a pest population that are resistant to the
pesticides, these individuals will survive and reproduce to eventually expand into a new
population of completely resistant pests. (Natural Selection)
How does PPE reduce the hazard associated with pesticide use? - ANS-It greatly reduces your
dermal, inhalation and eye exposure to pesticides.
How is disposal of hazardous waste different and why? - ANS-There are much more stringent
rules that apply to the disposal of hazardous wastes due to their potential to cause harm to the
environment.
How is exposed skin and pesticide formulation related to absorption into the skin? - ANS-The
amount of pesticide your skin absorbs depends on the chemical itself, the extent of the
exposure, the product's formulation, area of skin exposed, and the condition of the skin
exposed. Oil based products are absorbed more easily and the genital area tends to be the
most absorptive area. Also hot, sweaty skin will absorb pesticides more readily.
How is heat stress different from heat illness? - ANS-Heat stress is the buildup in the body of
heat generated by your muscles during work and by a warm or hot work environment. Heat
illness includes a number of disorders that can occur when the body is subjected to more heat
than it can cope with.
How should you arrange pesticides in storage to protect the products and containers? -
ANS-Separate chemicals by type within the storage area. Isolate the volatile pesticides so their
Commercial Category 6.0
Compare and contrast Solid and Hazardous wastes: - ANS-Solid wastes can sometimes be
solid, liquid or contained gas, in terms of pest. disposal, solid waste is anything that is not
considered hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is the pest. itself if determined as such by the
SDS.
Compare selective and non-selective herbicides: - ANS-Selective herbicides only harm certain
plants and leave others unharmed. Non-selective herbicides are toxic to most or all plants.
Define and explain "pesticide". - ANS-A pesticide is any substance used to directly control pest
populations or to prevent or reduce pest damage. Pesticides can range from anything such as
an insecticide to a herbicide to a fungicide.
Define overspray and drift. - ANS-Overspray is the direct application of pests. beyond the
boundaries of the target area. Drift is the movement of pests. in air currents onto property
beyond the boundaries of the target area.
Describe the function of inert ingredients: - ANS-They do not possess pesticidial activity but are
added to improve application effectiveness, safety, handling, storage or other characteristics of
the final product.
Describe the life cycles and propagation of annual, biennial, and perennial plants - ANS-Annual
plants live for less than a year, they produce many seeds in one growing season, and then die.
Summer annuals winter as seeds, and winter annuals winter as a low-growing plant, both
summer and winter annuals are easiest to control when they are small. Biennial plants live for
two growing seasons, they germinate from seed in the spring or summer and winter as a rosette
of leaves. They flower in their second year, produce seeds and then die. Both annuals and
biennials reproduce only by seed. Perennial plants live for at least 2 years and sometimes
longer, they may reproduce by seed or vegetatively through several different mechanisms.
Describe the short-term storage of empty containers and of pesticides at an application site: -
ANS-You must cover or otherwise secure pesticides and containers that you temporarily hold at
a mixing and loading or application site to prevent unauthorized access or water contamination.
You must have a designated area for properly rinsed containers.
Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and herbaceous from woody plants - ANS-Grasses
are considered monocots, meaning they have a single seed leaf, they also have narrow leaves
,with parallel veins and a fibrous root system. Broadleaf plants have two seed leaves and are
therefore called dicots, they have broad leaves with veins that form a net patterns. Broadleaf
plants can be further classified into herbaceous and woody, where the woody plants have a
thick layer of dense tissue called bark, which herbaceous plants lack.
How and when should you apply soil herbicides? - ANS-Soil treatments are commonly used
when a site requires residual non-selective control, such as electric transformer stations, rail
ballasts and signpost bases. They can be applied any time that the soil is not frozen, and some
soil applied herbicides need to be transported by rain to be absorbed by the plant.
How are adjuvants used most effectively? - ANS-Adjuvants may be necessary to use for better
absorption by foliage that is extremely waxy or hairy.
How are pesticides assigned to toxicity categories or given signal words? - ANS-The signal
words are assigned on the basis of the highest measured toxicity, whether that is oral, dermal or
inhalation. Signal words indicate the relative toxicity of the pesticide.
How can pesticides get into groundwater or surface water, and what do the terms point and
non-point source pollution mean? - ANS-Point source pollution is: a pest. spill entering a storm
sewer, back-siphoning, repeated spilling of pests. at mixing and loading sites, careless spilling
of wash water at equip. cleanup sites, improper handling of spills and leaks at storage sites and
improper disposal of containers, rinsate and excess pests.
Non-point source pollution: the movement of pests. into streams or groundwater following a
broadcast application to a large turf area, right-of-way, or agricultural field.
How can the different characteristics of pesticides effect movement of a pesticide from a target
site? - ANS-Solubility, absorption, volatility and persistence all effect the movement of a pest. off
target.
How can you obtain a uniform spray pattern with a broadcast sprayer? - ANS-Check that the
nozzle flow rate is about the same for each nozzle on the boom, check that the spray pattern is
uniform, adjust operating pressure and sprayer ground speed to get the spray rate per unit area
within the desired range, determine how much pesticide and water you need to add to the spray
tank.
How do application practices effect the chance for surface and groundwater contamination? -
ANS-By applying pesticides in areas only if absolutely necessary and by techniques that
minimize the risk of leaching and or runoff, risk of water contamination can be greatly reduced.
How do you keep soil herbicides from moving off target? - ANS-Do not apply herbicides to areas
where they may leach into groundwater, or run off into water sources or cropping areas. Also
avoid applying herbicides to areas where desired tree and shrub roots may extend and DO NOT
apply herbicides to frozen soils.
, How do you know if a site is suitable for mixing and loading or cleaning application equipment? -
ANS-A suitable site will have a curbed or sloped surface to contain spills and prevent water or
other liquids on adjacent surfaces form flowing onto it. It must also be paved or lined with
liquid-tight materials approved by the DATCP.
How do you recognize and respond to shock? - ANS-The victim's skin will be pale, moist, cold
and clammy. Their eyes will be vacant and their pupils will be dilated, breathing will be shallow
and irregular and their pulse will be weak, rapid or irregular. Unless they are vomiting, place the
victim on their back and elevate their feet above their heart. Keep the victim warm, quiet and
give them reassurance.
How does chemical resistance effect a workers acceptance of PPE? - ANS-It must be resistant
enough to keep chemicals away from the skin.
How does heat stress effect a person? - ANS-It can make them feel ill and impair their ability to
do a good job. Less blood is going to the active muscles, the brain and organs. Weakness and
fatigue accompany other symptoms of heat stress.
How does pesticide resistance arise in a pest population? - ANS-Due to the large population of
pests, there is bound to be a few individuals within a pest population that are resistant to the
pesticides, these individuals will survive and reproduce to eventually expand into a new
population of completely resistant pests. (Natural Selection)
How does PPE reduce the hazard associated with pesticide use? - ANS-It greatly reduces your
dermal, inhalation and eye exposure to pesticides.
How is disposal of hazardous waste different and why? - ANS-There are much more stringent
rules that apply to the disposal of hazardous wastes due to their potential to cause harm to the
environment.
How is exposed skin and pesticide formulation related to absorption into the skin? - ANS-The
amount of pesticide your skin absorbs depends on the chemical itself, the extent of the
exposure, the product's formulation, area of skin exposed, and the condition of the skin
exposed. Oil based products are absorbed more easily and the genital area tends to be the
most absorptive area. Also hot, sweaty skin will absorb pesticides more readily.
How is heat stress different from heat illness? - ANS-Heat stress is the buildup in the body of
heat generated by your muscles during work and by a warm or hot work environment. Heat
illness includes a number of disorders that can occur when the body is subjected to more heat
than it can cope with.
How should you arrange pesticides in storage to protect the products and containers? -
ANS-Separate chemicals by type within the storage area. Isolate the volatile pesticides so their
