Illinois Pesticide Applicator Test
Federal insecticide, fungicide, and rodenticide act Approved in 1947. It provides a framework for pesticide registrations an is the
(FIFRA) pesticide users assurance that the product, if used correctly will provide some
helpful service without endangering the user, other persons, or the environment
Economic Injury Level break- even point at which the cost of pest control equals the revenue loss
caused by a pest.
Aesthetic Injury Level number of pests that might cause enough damage to the appearance of a plant
to warrant the cost of control
Scouting Regularly monitoring pest populations and plant or crop conditions. Could be the
owner, maintenance technician, or grower.
What is the Goal of IPM? To optimize, NOT maximize pest control
Pest any insect, mite, rodent, nematode, fungus, weed, or other organism that is
injurious to humans or their structures, or to plants, or animals of interest to
humans.
5 Control Methods Cultural Control, Mechanical Control, Biological Control, Preventative Control,
Chemical control
Cultural control improves plant health so that they plants are able to compete better against
pests. EX: soil preparation, fertility, proper planting, plant selection, crop rotation,
mulching, mowing
Mechanical control Physically eliminates the pest. EX: Cultivating, pruning, hoeing, weed pulling,
mowing, hand picking
Biological control Uses living organisms to reduce pest populations to economically acceptable
levels. EX: predators, parasites, pest diseases
preventative control Helps prevent the entry and spread of pests. EX: quarantines, inspections,
certified seed
chemical control Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, repellents, fumigants
Pesticide any chemical used to destroy, prevent, or control any form of like declared to be
a pest
Two general types of ingredients Active, Inert
Active ingredient part of the formulation that is effective against the targeted pest
Inert ingredient does not have a direct effect on the pest
Federal insecticide, fungicide, and rodenticide act Approved in 1947. It provides a framework for pesticide registrations an is the
(FIFRA) pesticide users assurance that the product, if used correctly will provide some
helpful service without endangering the user, other persons, or the environment
Economic Injury Level break- even point at which the cost of pest control equals the revenue loss
caused by a pest.
Aesthetic Injury Level number of pests that might cause enough damage to the appearance of a plant
to warrant the cost of control
Scouting Regularly monitoring pest populations and plant or crop conditions. Could be the
owner, maintenance technician, or grower.
What is the Goal of IPM? To optimize, NOT maximize pest control
Pest any insect, mite, rodent, nematode, fungus, weed, or other organism that is
injurious to humans or their structures, or to plants, or animals of interest to
humans.
5 Control Methods Cultural Control, Mechanical Control, Biological Control, Preventative Control,
Chemical control
Cultural control improves plant health so that they plants are able to compete better against
pests. EX: soil preparation, fertility, proper planting, plant selection, crop rotation,
mulching, mowing
Mechanical control Physically eliminates the pest. EX: Cultivating, pruning, hoeing, weed pulling,
mowing, hand picking
Biological control Uses living organisms to reduce pest populations to economically acceptable
levels. EX: predators, parasites, pest diseases
preventative control Helps prevent the entry and spread of pests. EX: quarantines, inspections,
certified seed
chemical control Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, repellents, fumigants
Pesticide any chemical used to destroy, prevent, or control any form of like declared to be
a pest
Two general types of ingredients Active, Inert
Active ingredient part of the formulation that is effective against the targeted pest
Inert ingredient does not have a direct effect on the pest
