Pesticide Applicator IPM Flashcards

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

• IPM is a proactive pest population management system designed to prevent damage caused by pests.
• Implements ecological approaches including pest identification, monitoring, and biological controls.

Pesticide Regulations

• A pesticide, per law, is any substance aimed at preventing or mitigating pests, including growth regulators.
• Registration of pesticides is done by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) governs the sale and use of pesticides.

Applicator Types and Responsibilities

• A private pesticide applicator is one who supervises the use of restricted-use pesticides for agricultural purposes.
• Supervision does not require the applicator to be physically present but must be reachable.
• Licensed applicators must ensure that supervised personnel understand label requirements and regulations.

Record-Keeping and Reporting

• Private applicators must maintain records for two years for restricted-use pesticides.
• Records must document applicator identity, application details, product used, and treated area.

Pesticide Label Importance

• Pesticide labels have legal weight; deviation from label instructions violates federal and state laws.
• Signal words indicate toxicity levels: "Caution" (least toxic), "Warning" (moderately toxic), "Danger" (highly toxic).
• Restricted-use pesticides require certification for safe application.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

• Pesticide application can harm groundwater, necessitating careful practices to prevent contamination.
• Situations increasing leaching risk include sandy soils, shallow groundwater, and excessive pesticide solubility.
• Biological diversity is critical; many pharmaceuticals originate from natural sources.

Worker Protection Standards (WPS)

• WPS applies mainly to agricultural production areas; exemptions include pastures and rangeland.
• Employers must monitor handlers using highly toxic pesticides every two hours for safety.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Chemical-resistant PPE includes materials like PVC and rubber; cotton or leather gloves are inadequate.
• Properly wearing PPE involves several guidelines related to clothing and glove usage to minimize exposure.

Cleaning Up and Managing Pesticides

• The proper management of pesticide spills follows the three 'C's: Control, Contain, Clean up.
• Contaminated work clothes must be washed separately using heavy-duty detergent and hot water.

Notification Requirements

• Neighbors within 1/4 mile must be notified prior to pesticide applications using specific equipment.
• Notification can be accomplished through raising an EPA WPS flag or through other agreed methods.

Licensing and Renewal

• Renewal of the private applicator's license requires 15 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) over five years, including legal and IPM credits.
• Failure to renew on time incurs late fees and can result in license suspension if address changes are unreported.### Cleaning and Disposing of Contaminated Items
• Perform two complete washer cycles for moderately to heavily contaminated items.
• Hang washed work clothes outside to dry.
• Run an empty washer cycle with hot water and detergent for additional cleaning.
• Avoid using a dryer; if necessary, use the highest setting. Heavily contaminated clothing should be destroyed.

Pesticide Container Disposal

• Rinse empty pesticide containers three times before disposal.
• Rinse water from triple rinsing should be added to the spray tank and applied at labeled sites.
• Empty, rinsed containers must not be reused; triple rinse and either recycle, recondition, or puncture for landfill disposal. Burning is prohibited in Texas.

Worker Training Requirements

• Worker training must utilize EPA-approved written or audio-visual materials.
• Training information can be personally delivered or through audio-visual programs with the option to involve another approved trainer.
• Ensure training is presented in a language and terms that workers can understand.

Pump Pressures and Capacities

• Rank pumps by pressure: centrifugal (lowest), roller (mid), piston (highest). Centrifugal pumps have higher volume capacity.
• Pump size should supply all spray boom nozzles and provide agitation if necessary.
• Choose a pressure gauge with a range twice the maximum expected pressure.

Nozzle Considerations

• Avoid brass tips for spraying wettable powders.
• Adjust boom height to change spray pattern overlap with flat spray tips.
• Flat and even spray tips can operate between 20 to 40 psi.

Nozzle Flow Rate and Maintenance

• Changing operating pressure can alter nozzle output, but significant changes may require nozzle tip replacement.
• To double nozzle flow rate, increase pressure fourfold, which is impractical for typical psi ranges.
• Clean nozzles with soft brushes like toothbrushes, avoiding knives or wires.

Drift Prevention and Application Timing

• Monitor weather conditions to prevent chemical drift; do not apply chemicals with wind towards sensitive crops.
• Optimal spray application times are early morning and late evening when temperature differences are minimal.

Equipment Calibration

• Calibrate equipment before each use.
• Use water in the tank for checking nozzle discharge or calibrating the sprayer.

Plant and Insect Management

• Recognize plant diseases by symptoms such as leaf spots, blights, and wilts; requires a susceptible host, the organism's presence, and a favorable environment for infection.
• Economic thresholds guide when pest control measures are needed, considering pest population development and damage levels.

Pest Categories and Control

• Insects categorized by impact: 90% have no significant impact, 7% beneficial, 3% economically important or destructive.
• Key, occasional, and secondary pests differ in their economic impact and frequency.

Weed Life Cycles and Control Methods

• Weeds categorized by life cycle: annuals (1 year), biennials (2 years), and perennials (multiple years).
• Control methods include biological (e.g., beneficial insects), mechanical (e.g., mowing, tilling), cultural (e.g., crop rotation), and chemical (caution with herbicide use).

Herbicide Effectiveness

• Herbicide effectiveness varies with the weed growth stage: near 100% effectiveness at seedling stage, drops to 75% at vegetative, less than 40% at flowering, and lowest at mature stage.

Test your knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with these flashcards. This study guide covers key concepts such as pest identification, monitoring, and components that contribute to effective pest control. Perfect for pesticide applicators looking to enhance their understanding.