1|Page
Pesticide Applicators License Exam
2026|Actual Questions And Rationales
All pesticides have risks!!! - correct-answer-•Organic does not mean Safe
•Synthetic does not mean Highly toxic
•Natural does not mean Safe
What makes a poison? - correct-answer-The Dose
"All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right DOSE
differentiates a poison from a remedy."
What are the environmental risks? - correct-answer-•Wildlife effects
•Water contamination
•Residues on food
,2|Page
Know the "fate" of the pesticide you apply - Read the label-often states if toxic to
fish, birds, invertebrates, etc.
What is the most important thing to do before applying pesticides? - correct-
answer-Always carefully read the precautionary statements & environmental
hazards on the label
Persistence and Resistance - correct-answer-Pest Resistance
Remember "Silent Spring" - correct-answer-Biomagnification of chlorinated
hydrocarbons like DDT or Dieldrin
Today's wildlife concerns - correct-answer--Biomagnification is not a big issue any
more
-Fat soluble products were cancelled in the 70's
,3|Page
-Pollinators are now a focus area (look for bee icon on label (*Products with acute
or residual toxicity to pollinators will have the bee icon on their labels
*The new warnings will be next to that icon
*Includes all types of pesticides not just insecticides)
Protect Bees and Other Pollinators - correct-answer--Do not apply pollinator toxic
pesticides if the crop is blooming or about to bloom or if plants are blooming in
nearby areas
-Mow blooming weeds before treatments
-Reduce drift
-Apply early or late when most pollinators are not foraging
-Select pesticides least harmful to bees
-Use low hazard formulations, avoid microencapsulated formulations, dusts and
powders
-Be especially careful with systemic insecticides
-Check the label for toxicity
, 4|Page
-Spot treat if appropriate
-Cooperate with beekeepers!
Be aware of blooms in the area, whether it's the crop or weeds that are blooming,
or flowers in an ornamental bed. Broad-spectrum insecticides can kill individual
bees, or be taken back by foraging bees and fed to the entire colony.
If you have blooms, either mow them prior to making the application or don't
make the application. Be careful with spray drift that can reach blooming plants.
Bees tend to be lazy and don't forage early in the morning or late in the
afternoon, so you may be able to time your application when they're not present.
Some insecticides aren't harmful to bees. Also, some formulations are low hazard.
Microencapsulated insecticide formulations, dusts and wettable powders can be
very harmful, since bees can capture these formulations in their leg hairs when
they collect pollen. Read the label for notes on bee toxicity. If possible, spot treat
instead of doing a broadcast application. If you have hives in the vicinity,
communicate with the beekeeper.
Pesticide Applicators License Exam
2026|Actual Questions And Rationales
All pesticides have risks!!! - correct-answer-•Organic does not mean Safe
•Synthetic does not mean Highly toxic
•Natural does not mean Safe
What makes a poison? - correct-answer-The Dose
"All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right DOSE
differentiates a poison from a remedy."
What are the environmental risks? - correct-answer-•Wildlife effects
•Water contamination
•Residues on food
,2|Page
Know the "fate" of the pesticide you apply - Read the label-often states if toxic to
fish, birds, invertebrates, etc.
What is the most important thing to do before applying pesticides? - correct-
answer-Always carefully read the precautionary statements & environmental
hazards on the label
Persistence and Resistance - correct-answer-Pest Resistance
Remember "Silent Spring" - correct-answer-Biomagnification of chlorinated
hydrocarbons like DDT or Dieldrin
Today's wildlife concerns - correct-answer--Biomagnification is not a big issue any
more
-Fat soluble products were cancelled in the 70's
,3|Page
-Pollinators are now a focus area (look for bee icon on label (*Products with acute
or residual toxicity to pollinators will have the bee icon on their labels
*The new warnings will be next to that icon
*Includes all types of pesticides not just insecticides)
Protect Bees and Other Pollinators - correct-answer--Do not apply pollinator toxic
pesticides if the crop is blooming or about to bloom or if plants are blooming in
nearby areas
-Mow blooming weeds before treatments
-Reduce drift
-Apply early or late when most pollinators are not foraging
-Select pesticides least harmful to bees
-Use low hazard formulations, avoid microencapsulated formulations, dusts and
powders
-Be especially careful with systemic insecticides
-Check the label for toxicity
, 4|Page
-Spot treat if appropriate
-Cooperate with beekeepers!
Be aware of blooms in the area, whether it's the crop or weeds that are blooming,
or flowers in an ornamental bed. Broad-spectrum insecticides can kill individual
bees, or be taken back by foraging bees and fed to the entire colony.
If you have blooms, either mow them prior to making the application or don't
make the application. Be careful with spray drift that can reach blooming plants.
Bees tend to be lazy and don't forage early in the morning or late in the
afternoon, so you may be able to time your application when they're not present.
Some insecticides aren't harmful to bees. Also, some formulations are low hazard.
Microencapsulated insecticide formulations, dusts and wettable powders can be
very harmful, since bees can capture these formulations in their leg hairs when
they collect pollen. Read the label for notes on bee toxicity. If possible, spot treat
instead of doing a broadcast application. If you have hives in the vicinity,
communicate with the beekeeper.
