PA Pesticide Applicator Exam Core Info with
correct answers 2025 GRADED A+
Bioaccumulation - Answer- The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in
various tissues of a living organism.
Biomagnification - Answer- Accumulation of pollutants at successive levels of the food chain
abiotic factors - Answer- natural control measures within the environment.
EX: climactic factors, air/water pollution, topographic features.
Biological Control - Answer- The use of natural enemies to control pests.
EX: Predators, Parasites, Pathogens
Cultural Control - Answer- These are Practices that reduce pest establishment, reproduction,
dispersal and survival.
EX: Mowing, irrigation, aeration, fertilization and sanitation.
Genetic control - Answer- Making use of plant varieties that are naturally resistant to insect
feedings.
Mechanical/Physical control - Answer- Kills a pest directly or makes its environment unsuitable
EX: Rodent traps, deer fences, mulches, barriers
Regulatory control - Answer- Removal of pests that cant be controlled at a local level. Utilizes
quarantines to prevent entry of pests at airports or ocean ports and can be used to remove pests
with government power. (i.e. draining standing water that provides breeding sites for mosquitos.)
, Mode of action - Answer- How chemicals kill a pest
Site of action - Answer- The specific biological system affected within the pest
Economic threshold - Answer- The point at which the economic loss caused by pest damage
outweighs the cost of applying a pesticide.
(Treat pests when they pass the economic threshold)
Economic injury level - Answer- the pest population density that causes losses equal to the cost
of control measures
Action threshold - Answer- the predetermined level at which pest control is needed
Certified applicator - Answer- A person qualified to apply or supervise the application of
restricted-use pesticides.
Private applicator - Answer- A certified applicator who uses or supervises the use of any
restricted-use pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity.
Commercial applicator - Answer- A certified applicator who uses or supervises the use of
pesticides for purposes other than those covered under a private applicator certification.
Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) - Answer- set pesticide limits in food, & all active and
inactive ingredients must be screened for estrogenic/endocrine effects. (Amended FIFRA)
Review old pesticides and aggregate/cumulative exposure.
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) - Answer- A set of laws passed by Congress
giving authority to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to oversee the safety of food,
drugs, and cosmetics. Also called for the reassessment of existing tolerances. Governs the
establishment of pesticide tolerances for food and feed.
correct answers 2025 GRADED A+
Bioaccumulation - Answer- The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in
various tissues of a living organism.
Biomagnification - Answer- Accumulation of pollutants at successive levels of the food chain
abiotic factors - Answer- natural control measures within the environment.
EX: climactic factors, air/water pollution, topographic features.
Biological Control - Answer- The use of natural enemies to control pests.
EX: Predators, Parasites, Pathogens
Cultural Control - Answer- These are Practices that reduce pest establishment, reproduction,
dispersal and survival.
EX: Mowing, irrigation, aeration, fertilization and sanitation.
Genetic control - Answer- Making use of plant varieties that are naturally resistant to insect
feedings.
Mechanical/Physical control - Answer- Kills a pest directly or makes its environment unsuitable
EX: Rodent traps, deer fences, mulches, barriers
Regulatory control - Answer- Removal of pests that cant be controlled at a local level. Utilizes
quarantines to prevent entry of pests at airports or ocean ports and can be used to remove pests
with government power. (i.e. draining standing water that provides breeding sites for mosquitos.)
, Mode of action - Answer- How chemicals kill a pest
Site of action - Answer- The specific biological system affected within the pest
Economic threshold - Answer- The point at which the economic loss caused by pest damage
outweighs the cost of applying a pesticide.
(Treat pests when they pass the economic threshold)
Economic injury level - Answer- the pest population density that causes losses equal to the cost
of control measures
Action threshold - Answer- the predetermined level at which pest control is needed
Certified applicator - Answer- A person qualified to apply or supervise the application of
restricted-use pesticides.
Private applicator - Answer- A certified applicator who uses or supervises the use of any
restricted-use pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity.
Commercial applicator - Answer- A certified applicator who uses or supervises the use of
pesticides for purposes other than those covered under a private applicator certification.
Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) - Answer- set pesticide limits in food, & all active and
inactive ingredients must be screened for estrogenic/endocrine effects. (Amended FIFRA)
Review old pesticides and aggregate/cumulative exposure.
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) - Answer- A set of laws passed by Congress
giving authority to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to oversee the safety of food,
drugs, and cosmetics. Also called for the reassessment of existing tolerances. Governs the
establishment of pesticide tolerances for food and feed.
