MDARD MICHIGAN CORE PESTICIDE APPLICATOR
2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Define and describe phytotoxicity - ✔✔-plant injury due to chemical exposure
-can occur on any part of plant
-primarily due to drift, also surface runoff and root uptake
✔✔list 4 ways bees and other pollinators can be exposed to pesticides - ✔✔1) direct
contact during foliar applications
2) contact with residues on plant surfaces after application
3) drift from application to hive
4) ingestion of residues when pesticide applied as a seed treatment, soil or tree
injection, or foliar application
✔✔list ways to minimize injury to bees and pollinators - ✔✔-follow specific instructions
to protect bees and pollinators
-do not apply insecticides to crops in bloom
-apply insecticides in evening or at night when bees not foraging (early morning
applications protects honey bees, wild bees forage at or before dawn)
-do not apply insecticide when weeds or other plants around treatment site in bloom
-do not allow pesticide to drift onto attractive habitat, natural areas, or beehives
-choose lease hazardous formulations and application methods
✔✔How can bird kills happen - ✔✔-ingesting pesticide granules**, baits, or treated
seeds
-direct exposure to sprays
-consume treated crops or contaminated water
-feed on contaminated insects/prey
-secondary poisoning
✔✔define endangered species - ✔✔a species on the brink of extinction throughout all a
significant part of its range
,✔✔define threatened species - ✔✔a species likely to become endangered
✔✔Which statement about transporting pesticides is true?
a) carry pesticides in the passenger compartment to prevent unauthorized access
b) enclosed and lockable cargo boxes offer the greatest protection
c) the operator (driver) is not held responsible if a pesticide spill or accident occurs -
✔✔b) enclosed and lockable cargo boxes offer the greatest protection
✔✔Which statement about pesticide storage facilities is true?
a) a ventilation system may reduce noxious vapors by venting air into an adjoining room
b) carefully consider the terrain when selecting a storage site
c) the floor should remain as bare soil, to absorb any spilled material - ✔✔b) carefully
consider the terrain when selecting a storage site
✔✔What is the first thing to do if a pesticide container is leaking?
a) put on PPE
b) transfer contents into another container
c) clean up any spilled material - ✔✔a) put on PPE
✔✔Which recommended practice will minimize pesticide storage problems?
a) Purchase quantities based on previous usage
b) purchase more than you need to ensure availability of the product
c) store metal pesticide containers on the higher shelves to prevent rusting - ✔✔c) store
metal pesticide containers on the higher shelves to prevent rusting
✔✔What is the first step a business should take to develop an effective pesticide
security program?
a) coordinate planned actions with authorities
b) conduct a risk assessment of business vulnerabilities
c) train employees on security measures - ✔✔b) conduct a risk assessment of business
vulnerabilities
✔✔Which of the following is considered a good security practice?
a) instruct employees on pesticide inventory control
b) allow employees access to inventory
c) back up confidential data daily and keep it at the facility - ✔✔a) instruct employees on
pesticide inventory control
,✔✔A well-designed pesticide storage site: - ✔✔-limits access
-permits better inventory control
-protects people from exposure
-reduces chance of environmental contamination
-prevents damage to pesticides from temperature extremes and excess moisture
-safeguards pesticides from theft, vandalism, and unauthorized use
-allows fire departments to know the location of products
✔✔The first step in developing a security program is to... - ✔✔conduct a risk
assessment of your business or farm's vulnerabilities
✔✔Employee training and security awareness - ✔✔-train employees to be vigilant in
detecting security threats
-instruct employees on pesticide inventory control
-instruct employees on security of storage facilities and application equipment
-instruct employees on emergency preparedness and response
✔✔Which of the following statements about emergency response planning is true?
a) the main reason to have an emergency response plan is to reduce economic losses
b) the first person to contact in an emergency is an attorney
c) it is important to make a detailed report of what took place before, during, and after
the incident - ✔✔c) it is important to make a detailed report of what took place before,
during, and after the incident
✔✔What is the backbone of any emergency response plan?
a) outlining the sequence of actions to take in a crisis
b) knowing where labels and SDSs are kept
c) having a designated emergency responder - ✔✔a) outlining the sequence of actions
to take in a crisis
✔✔In addition to an emergency response plan, which of the following will further reduce
the risk of a pesticide fire?
a) store pesticides close to a heat source to prevent freezing
b) keep a fire-detection system in the storage area
c) post the storage area with a storage sign - ✔✔b) keep a fire-detection system in the
storage area
✔✔Which is a recommended action to take in the event of a pesticide fire?
a) construct berms to contain contaminated runoff water
b) enter the storage facility and remove as much pesticide as possible
, c) try to extinguish fire before calling 911 - ✔✔a) construct berms to contain
contaminated runoff water
✔✔Which is an appropriate action to take in the event of a pesticide spill?
a) take a "time out" to read your emergency response plan
b) Call 911 only if the spill has a chance of entering surface water
c) put on the appropriate PPE before responding to the spill - ✔✔c) put on the
appropriate PPE before responding to the spill
✔✔List the guidelines for developing an emergency response plan: - ✔✔-designate
emergency coordinator as "go to person"
-post a lis of names & numbers of response agencies that may require notification
-prepare form with info to convey to emergency personnel, facility map, area map
-keep product inventory and labels and SDSs
-maintain emergency equipment needed to respond to fires and spills
-train employees how to execute response plan
✔✔The backbone of an emergency response plan is a: - ✔✔description of the
sequence of actions to take in a crisis
✔✔Take the following actions in case of pesticide fire: - ✔✔-evacuate premises to
designated rendezvous point
-notify fire department
-provide emergency responders with labels, SDSs, emergency plan, site maps
-follow instructions of commander
-establish security perimeter
-build berms to contain contaminated runoff and pesticide leaks
-call insurance
-regulatory phone calls
✔✔3 C's of pesticide spills - ✔✔-Control- put on PPE, try to stop the spill
-Contain- prevent spill from spreading/contaminating larger area
-Clean Up Spill
✔✔What should be in a spill response kit? - ✔✔-telephone # for emergency assistance
-PPE
-absorbents
-shovel, broom, dustpan
-heavy duty detergent
✔✔Determining when to apply a pesticide includes considering the:
a) life cycle of the pest and weather conditions
b) % active ingredient
2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Define and describe phytotoxicity - ✔✔-plant injury due to chemical exposure
-can occur on any part of plant
-primarily due to drift, also surface runoff and root uptake
✔✔list 4 ways bees and other pollinators can be exposed to pesticides - ✔✔1) direct
contact during foliar applications
2) contact with residues on plant surfaces after application
3) drift from application to hive
4) ingestion of residues when pesticide applied as a seed treatment, soil or tree
injection, or foliar application
✔✔list ways to minimize injury to bees and pollinators - ✔✔-follow specific instructions
to protect bees and pollinators
-do not apply insecticides to crops in bloom
-apply insecticides in evening or at night when bees not foraging (early morning
applications protects honey bees, wild bees forage at or before dawn)
-do not apply insecticide when weeds or other plants around treatment site in bloom
-do not allow pesticide to drift onto attractive habitat, natural areas, or beehives
-choose lease hazardous formulations and application methods
✔✔How can bird kills happen - ✔✔-ingesting pesticide granules**, baits, or treated
seeds
-direct exposure to sprays
-consume treated crops or contaminated water
-feed on contaminated insects/prey
-secondary poisoning
✔✔define endangered species - ✔✔a species on the brink of extinction throughout all a
significant part of its range
,✔✔define threatened species - ✔✔a species likely to become endangered
✔✔Which statement about transporting pesticides is true?
a) carry pesticides in the passenger compartment to prevent unauthorized access
b) enclosed and lockable cargo boxes offer the greatest protection
c) the operator (driver) is not held responsible if a pesticide spill or accident occurs -
✔✔b) enclosed and lockable cargo boxes offer the greatest protection
✔✔Which statement about pesticide storage facilities is true?
a) a ventilation system may reduce noxious vapors by venting air into an adjoining room
b) carefully consider the terrain when selecting a storage site
c) the floor should remain as bare soil, to absorb any spilled material - ✔✔b) carefully
consider the terrain when selecting a storage site
✔✔What is the first thing to do if a pesticide container is leaking?
a) put on PPE
b) transfer contents into another container
c) clean up any spilled material - ✔✔a) put on PPE
✔✔Which recommended practice will minimize pesticide storage problems?
a) Purchase quantities based on previous usage
b) purchase more than you need to ensure availability of the product
c) store metal pesticide containers on the higher shelves to prevent rusting - ✔✔c) store
metal pesticide containers on the higher shelves to prevent rusting
✔✔What is the first step a business should take to develop an effective pesticide
security program?
a) coordinate planned actions with authorities
b) conduct a risk assessment of business vulnerabilities
c) train employees on security measures - ✔✔b) conduct a risk assessment of business
vulnerabilities
✔✔Which of the following is considered a good security practice?
a) instruct employees on pesticide inventory control
b) allow employees access to inventory
c) back up confidential data daily and keep it at the facility - ✔✔a) instruct employees on
pesticide inventory control
,✔✔A well-designed pesticide storage site: - ✔✔-limits access
-permits better inventory control
-protects people from exposure
-reduces chance of environmental contamination
-prevents damage to pesticides from temperature extremes and excess moisture
-safeguards pesticides from theft, vandalism, and unauthorized use
-allows fire departments to know the location of products
✔✔The first step in developing a security program is to... - ✔✔conduct a risk
assessment of your business or farm's vulnerabilities
✔✔Employee training and security awareness - ✔✔-train employees to be vigilant in
detecting security threats
-instruct employees on pesticide inventory control
-instruct employees on security of storage facilities and application equipment
-instruct employees on emergency preparedness and response
✔✔Which of the following statements about emergency response planning is true?
a) the main reason to have an emergency response plan is to reduce economic losses
b) the first person to contact in an emergency is an attorney
c) it is important to make a detailed report of what took place before, during, and after
the incident - ✔✔c) it is important to make a detailed report of what took place before,
during, and after the incident
✔✔What is the backbone of any emergency response plan?
a) outlining the sequence of actions to take in a crisis
b) knowing where labels and SDSs are kept
c) having a designated emergency responder - ✔✔a) outlining the sequence of actions
to take in a crisis
✔✔In addition to an emergency response plan, which of the following will further reduce
the risk of a pesticide fire?
a) store pesticides close to a heat source to prevent freezing
b) keep a fire-detection system in the storage area
c) post the storage area with a storage sign - ✔✔b) keep a fire-detection system in the
storage area
✔✔Which is a recommended action to take in the event of a pesticide fire?
a) construct berms to contain contaminated runoff water
b) enter the storage facility and remove as much pesticide as possible
, c) try to extinguish fire before calling 911 - ✔✔a) construct berms to contain
contaminated runoff water
✔✔Which is an appropriate action to take in the event of a pesticide spill?
a) take a "time out" to read your emergency response plan
b) Call 911 only if the spill has a chance of entering surface water
c) put on the appropriate PPE before responding to the spill - ✔✔c) put on the
appropriate PPE before responding to the spill
✔✔List the guidelines for developing an emergency response plan: - ✔✔-designate
emergency coordinator as "go to person"
-post a lis of names & numbers of response agencies that may require notification
-prepare form with info to convey to emergency personnel, facility map, area map
-keep product inventory and labels and SDSs
-maintain emergency equipment needed to respond to fires and spills
-train employees how to execute response plan
✔✔The backbone of an emergency response plan is a: - ✔✔description of the
sequence of actions to take in a crisis
✔✔Take the following actions in case of pesticide fire: - ✔✔-evacuate premises to
designated rendezvous point
-notify fire department
-provide emergency responders with labels, SDSs, emergency plan, site maps
-follow instructions of commander
-establish security perimeter
-build berms to contain contaminated runoff and pesticide leaks
-call insurance
-regulatory phone calls
✔✔3 C's of pesticide spills - ✔✔-Control- put on PPE, try to stop the spill
-Contain- prevent spill from spreading/contaminating larger area
-Clean Up Spill
✔✔What should be in a spill response kit? - ✔✔-telephone # for emergency assistance
-PPE
-absorbents
-shovel, broom, dustpan
-heavy duty detergent
✔✔Determining when to apply a pesticide includes considering the:
a) life cycle of the pest and weather conditions
b) % active ingredient
