Iowa Applicator 11F Exam Questions and
Complete Solutions with Rationales
This exam covers general fumigation principles, safety, pest identification,
labeling, equipment use, and Iowa regulations.
1. What is the primary method of action for most fumigants?
A. Contact poison
B. Stomach poison
C. Respiratory poison
D. Repellent
Fumigants work as respiratory poisons, disrupting cellular respiration once
inhaled.
2. Which of the following fumigants is most commonly used for stored
product pests?
A. Methyl bromide
B. Phosphine
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Aluminum nitrate
Phosphine gas, released from aluminum or magnesium phosphide, is widely
used for stored grain pest control.
3. What is the primary safety concern when using phosphine gas?
,A. Flammability
B. Corrosiveness
C. Staining
D. Odor
Phosphine is highly flammable and can ignite in air if concentrations become
high enough.
4. Which pest is most likely to be targeted in a grain bin fumigation?
A. Housefly
B. Termite
C. Lesser grain borer
D. Boll weevil
Lesser grain borers and other stored-product insects are common grain bin
pests.
5. What must be done before re-entering a fumigated structure?
A. Repaint the interior
B. Restock food
C. Aerate to below threshold levels
D. Apply a follow-up pesticide
Proper aeration is required to reduce fumigant concentration below safe levels
before reentry.
6. Which device is used to detect fumigant levels in the air?
A. Thermocouple
B. Gas detector
, C. Barometer
D. Tachometer
Gas detectors or monitoring tubes are used to measure fumigant
concentrations.
7. How should aluminum phosphide tablets be stored?
A. With grain in silos
B. In glass jars
C. In a dry, well-ventilated area
D. Near heat to activate faster
Moisture activates aluminum phosphide, so it must be stored in dry conditions.
8. What is the U.S. EPA signal word for phosphine-producing fumigants?
A. Caution
B. Warning
C. Danger-Poison
D. Harmful
Phosphine fumigants are labeled “Danger-Poison” due to their high toxicity.
9. Which is an example of a commodity fumigation?
A. Treating a grain bin for insects
B. Treating a house for termites
C. Fogging a warehouse
D. Spraying field crops
Commodity fumigation treats stored agricultural products like grain, not
structures.
Complete Solutions with Rationales
This exam covers general fumigation principles, safety, pest identification,
labeling, equipment use, and Iowa regulations.
1. What is the primary method of action for most fumigants?
A. Contact poison
B. Stomach poison
C. Respiratory poison
D. Repellent
Fumigants work as respiratory poisons, disrupting cellular respiration once
inhaled.
2. Which of the following fumigants is most commonly used for stored
product pests?
A. Methyl bromide
B. Phosphine
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Aluminum nitrate
Phosphine gas, released from aluminum or magnesium phosphide, is widely
used for stored grain pest control.
3. What is the primary safety concern when using phosphine gas?
,A. Flammability
B. Corrosiveness
C. Staining
D. Odor
Phosphine is highly flammable and can ignite in air if concentrations become
high enough.
4. Which pest is most likely to be targeted in a grain bin fumigation?
A. Housefly
B. Termite
C. Lesser grain borer
D. Boll weevil
Lesser grain borers and other stored-product insects are common grain bin
pests.
5. What must be done before re-entering a fumigated structure?
A. Repaint the interior
B. Restock food
C. Aerate to below threshold levels
D. Apply a follow-up pesticide
Proper aeration is required to reduce fumigant concentration below safe levels
before reentry.
6. Which device is used to detect fumigant levels in the air?
A. Thermocouple
B. Gas detector
, C. Barometer
D. Tachometer
Gas detectors or monitoring tubes are used to measure fumigant
concentrations.
7. How should aluminum phosphide tablets be stored?
A. With grain in silos
B. In glass jars
C. In a dry, well-ventilated area
D. Near heat to activate faster
Moisture activates aluminum phosphide, so it must be stored in dry conditions.
8. What is the U.S. EPA signal word for phosphine-producing fumigants?
A. Caution
B. Warning
C. Danger-Poison
D. Harmful
Phosphine fumigants are labeled “Danger-Poison” due to their high toxicity.
9. Which is an example of a commodity fumigation?
A. Treating a grain bin for insects
B. Treating a house for termites
C. Fogging a warehouse
D. Spraying field crops
Commodity fumigation treats stored agricultural products like grain, not
structures.
