Ohio Pest Control Applicator Certification Exam
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales | Updated 2026/2027 |
Graded A+.
1. What is the main purpose of an integrated pest management
(IPM) program?
A. To eliminate all pests using chemicals
B. To reduce pest populations below damaging levels using multiple
strategies
C. To rely primarily on biological control
D. To avoid pesticide use completely
Answer: B
IPM aims to manage pests using a combination of biological, cultural,
physical, and chemical methods, keeping populations below harmful
levels.
2. What is the signal word on a pesticide label that indicates the
highest toxicity?
A. Caution
B. Warning
,C. Danger
D. Notice
“Danger” indicates highly toxic pesticides, requiring extreme caution
during handling.
3. Which of the following is an example of a biological control
method?
A. Spraying insecticides
B. Releasing lady beetles to eat aphids
C. Trapping rodents
D. Using heat treatments
Biological control uses natural predators or parasites to control pest
populations.
5. What does PPE stand for in pesticide application?
A. Professional Pest Equipment
B. Personal Protective Equipment
C. Pesticide Preparation Essentials
D. Pest Protection Engineering
PPE protects applicators from direct exposure to pesticides.
6. What federal law regulates the registration and use of pesticides in
the U.S.?
A. OSHA
B. FIFRA
C. EPA Act
,D. USDA Pesticide Control Law
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
governs pesticide use and labeling.
7. What is the main function of the EPA registration number on a
pesticide label?
A. Identifies product ingredients
B. Indicates restricted use
C. Identifies the specific pesticide registered with the EPA
D. Shows manufacturer location
The EPA registration number tracks the product's official approval
and registration.
8. When mixing pesticides, which should you add first to the tank?
A. Water
B. Wettable powders
C. Emulsifiable concentrates
D. Adjuvants
Adding water first prevents foaming and splashing of concentrated
chemicals.
9. What is a restricted-use pesticide (RUP)?
A. Available to all homeowners
B. Less toxic than general-use pesticides
C. Can only be applied by certified applicators
D. Only used for research
, RUPs require certification because they pose higher risks to humans
or the environment.
10. Which of the following is an example of a cultural control
method?
A. Spraying insecticides
B. Using pheromone traps
C. Rotating crops
D. Using predatory insects
Crop rotation disrupts pest life cycles and is a cultural control
measure.
4. What is the first step when you notice pesticide poisoning
symptoms?
A. Remove the person from exposure immediately
B. Give them water
C. Call the pesticide supplier
D. Wait to see if symptoms improve
Removing the person from exposure limits further absorption and is
the first emergency action.
11. What is drift in pesticide application?
A. Chemical decomposition
B. Movement of pesticide droplets or particles off-target
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales | Updated 2026/2027 |
Graded A+.
1. What is the main purpose of an integrated pest management
(IPM) program?
A. To eliminate all pests using chemicals
B. To reduce pest populations below damaging levels using multiple
strategies
C. To rely primarily on biological control
D. To avoid pesticide use completely
Answer: B
IPM aims to manage pests using a combination of biological, cultural,
physical, and chemical methods, keeping populations below harmful
levels.
2. What is the signal word on a pesticide label that indicates the
highest toxicity?
A. Caution
B. Warning
,C. Danger
D. Notice
“Danger” indicates highly toxic pesticides, requiring extreme caution
during handling.
3. Which of the following is an example of a biological control
method?
A. Spraying insecticides
B. Releasing lady beetles to eat aphids
C. Trapping rodents
D. Using heat treatments
Biological control uses natural predators or parasites to control pest
populations.
5. What does PPE stand for in pesticide application?
A. Professional Pest Equipment
B. Personal Protective Equipment
C. Pesticide Preparation Essentials
D. Pest Protection Engineering
PPE protects applicators from direct exposure to pesticides.
6. What federal law regulates the registration and use of pesticides in
the U.S.?
A. OSHA
B. FIFRA
C. EPA Act
,D. USDA Pesticide Control Law
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
governs pesticide use and labeling.
7. What is the main function of the EPA registration number on a
pesticide label?
A. Identifies product ingredients
B. Indicates restricted use
C. Identifies the specific pesticide registered with the EPA
D. Shows manufacturer location
The EPA registration number tracks the product's official approval
and registration.
8. When mixing pesticides, which should you add first to the tank?
A. Water
B. Wettable powders
C. Emulsifiable concentrates
D. Adjuvants
Adding water first prevents foaming and splashing of concentrated
chemicals.
9. What is a restricted-use pesticide (RUP)?
A. Available to all homeowners
B. Less toxic than general-use pesticides
C. Can only be applied by certified applicators
D. Only used for research
, RUPs require certification because they pose higher risks to humans
or the environment.
10. Which of the following is an example of a cultural control
method?
A. Spraying insecticides
B. Using pheromone traps
C. Rotating crops
D. Using predatory insects
Crop rotation disrupts pest life cycles and is a cultural control
measure.
4. What is the first step when you notice pesticide poisoning
symptoms?
A. Remove the person from exposure immediately
B. Give them water
C. Call the pesticide supplier
D. Wait to see if symptoms improve
Removing the person from exposure limits further absorption and is
the first emergency action.
11. What is drift in pesticide application?
A. Chemical decomposition
B. Movement of pesticide droplets or particles off-target
