Pesticide Application Licenses Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a General-Use Pesticide?

Requires certification to apply

Used for commercial purposes

Harmful to humans

Not that harmful (correct)

What is a Restricted-Use Pesticide?

Not harmful

Used solely for garden maintenance

Requires no certification to apply

Can be harmful to humans and the environment (correct)

Who can use Restricted-Use Pesticides?

Private Pesticide Applicators use or supervise their use on their own or employer's property.

What is a Commercial Pesticide Applicator?

Someone who uses or supervises the use of Restricted-Use Pesticides on someone else's property for payment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the certification requirement for a Commercial Applicator?

Pass 2 exams (core and specialized). Signup and view all the answers

What is required for re-certifying as a Commercial Applicator?

Earn required hours of Continuing Education or retake and pass the exams again. Signup and view all the answers

How long does a Structural Pest Control License last?

5 years. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide (FIFRA) Act?

Ruled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Signup and view all the answers

What is an important aspect of a Pesticide Label?

It is against the law to not follow it. Signup and view all the answers

What does the EPA do in relation to pesticides?

Re-evaluates older pesticides, reviews every pesticide on a 15-year cycle, and establishes safety rules for workers. Signup and view all the answers

States can create pesticide regulations that are less strict than EPA guidelines.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the Food Quality Protection Act?

Mandates safe levels of pesticide residues Signup and view all the answers

How should pesticides be stored?

Tightly sealed, labeled, dry, not around food or combustible materials. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential disadvantage of using pesticides?

Pests can become resistant Signup and view all the answers

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

A holistic approach involving monitoring and various control methods Signup and view all the answers

How can you keep bees safe from pesticides?

Apply in the evening or early morning. Signup and view all the answers

What are symptoms of pesticide exposure?

Fatigue, headache, dizziness, sweating, nausea. Signup and view all the answers

What does DANGER on a label indicate?

Highly toxic. Signup and view all the answers

What is Exposure in the context of pesticides?

When a pesticide gets onto or into the body. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pesticide Application Licenses Overview

General-Use Pesticide: Not harmful, no certification needed for application.
Restricted-Use Pesticide: Potentially harmful; requires a certified applicator or supervision.
Private Pesticide Applicators: Certified to use restricted pesticides on their own or employer's property. Often farmers or nursery operators.
Commercial Pesticide Applicators: Apply restricted pesticides for payment on others' properties.
Public Applicators: Use restricted pesticides as part of government responsibilities.
Structural Pest Control Operator: Licensed to use restricted pesticides around structures, covering household pests, wood-destroying insects, and fumigation.

Certification and Licensing for Applicators

Commercial Applicator Certification: Requires passing core and specialty exams; valid for five years.
Re-Certification: Involves continuing education or re-taking exams.
Structural Pesticide Applicator Certification: Pass core and three phase-specific exams.
Licensing for Structural Applicators requires certification and two years of experience.
Structural Pest Control License: Valid for five years.
Categories of Licensing for Commercial Applicators include Registered Technicians, Non-Commercial and Commercial Certified Applicators.

Regulatory Framework

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide (FIFRA) Act: Regulated by EPA, which registers products based on safety assessments.
Importance of Pesticide Labels: Non-compliance equates to breaking the law.
EPA's Role: Reevaluates older pesticides, reviews safety every 15 years, and establishes worker safety rules.
State Regulations: Must adhere to at least EPA guidelines but can impose stricter rules.
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: Establishes acceptable pesticide residue levels on food.

Pesticide Management and Safety

NC Pesticide Law of 1971: Regulates pesticide registration, usage, and handling, excluding structural factors.
Proper Pesticide Storage: Must be tightly sealed, labeled, dry, and away from food or combustible materials.
Pesticide Board Responsibilities: Establishes regulations for acceptable pesticide usage and licensing.
Vertebrates as Pests: Include various mammals and birds if they cause harm to humans, plants, or properties.

Pest Control Strategies and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Three Pest Management Goals: Prevention, suppression, and eradication.
Importance of Pest Identification: Essential for effective treatment; misidentification can lead to failure.
IPM Steps: Identify pests, monitor populations, determine thresholds, assess treatment options, implement the least harmful method, record actions.

Environmental Considerations

Pesticide Movement: Can occur through air, water, equipment, or organisms.
Types of Pollution: Point-source (specific origin) vs. non-point-source (diffuse movement).
Leaching: Movement of pesticides through soil to water; influenced by soil type, organic matter, and water table level.

Pesticide Toxicity and Exposure

Toxicity Definition: Potential for a pesticide to cause harm over short or long-term exposure.
Routes of Entry: Skin, eyes, mouth, or inhalation can lead to pesticide exposure.
Symptoms of Exposure: Range from mild (fatigue, headache) to severe (fainting, muscle twitching).
Pesticide Hazard: Determined by the equation of toxicity multiplied by exposure level.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Legal requirements for PPE: Mandated for pesticide handlers and entry workers; specific limits defined on labels.
Fit Check for Respirators: Essential for ensuring a tight seal to prevent pesticide inhalation.

Best Practices in Pesticide Use

Mechanical Control: Prevent pests using barriers.
Biological Control: Enhancing natural predators.
Cultural Control: Modifying the environment or host conditions to deter pests.
Understanding Action Thresholds: Helps manage pest populations before they become resistant to pesticides.

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Description

This quiz covers the different types of pesticide application licenses, including general-use and restricted-use categories. It also delves into the certification process for private, commercial, public, and structural pest control applicators. Test your knowledge on the requirements and responsibilities of these roles.