NYS PCO NYS PCO Pesticide Application Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of calibrating a pesticide application equipment before use?
- To make the sprayer look newer
- To ensure the correct amount of pesticide is delivered per unit area (Correct answer)
- To increase the speed of application
- To reduce the need for PPE
Correct answer: To ensure the correct amount of pesticide is delivered per unit area
Calibration ensures that the equipment delivers the label-required rate, preventing under-treatment (poor control) or over-treatment (illegal and potentially hazardous).
Question 2: Which environmental condition most increases the risk of pesticide drift during an outdoor application?
- High relative humidity
- Calm wind conditions
- High wind speeds and fine droplet size (Correct answer)
- Cool temperatures
Correct answer: High wind speeds and fine droplet size
High wind speeds combined with fine droplets dramatically increase the potential for pesticide drift to non-target areas and sensitive sites.
Question 3: In New York State, which document must a PCO consult before making any pesticide application?
- The Material Safety Data Sheet only
- The pesticide label, which is a legally binding document (Correct answer)
- The manufacturer's website
- A trade association newsletter
Correct answer: The pesticide label, which is a legally binding document
Under FIFRA and NYS law, the pesticide label is a legal document and applicators are required to follow all label directions.
Question 4: When applying pesticides in a food-handling establishment, which area requires the most careful attention to avoid contamination?
- Employee break rooms
- Food preparation surfaces, utensils, and open food containers (Correct answer)
- Parking lots
- Office areas
Correct answer: Food preparation surfaces, utensils, and open food containers
Food preparation surfaces and open food containers can become contaminated during pesticide applications, creating serious health risks for consumers.
Question 5: What is the recommended action if a PCO realizes mid-application that the mix ratio was calculated incorrectly and the solution is too concentrated?
- Continue the application to use up the mix
- Stop the application, discard the mix properly, and prepare a correctly diluted batch (Correct answer)
- Add more concentrate to correct the ratio
- Apply faster to cover more area
Correct answer: Stop the application, discard the mix properly, and prepare a correctly diluted batch
Applying an over-concentrated pesticide violates label requirements and can cause phytotoxicity, surface damage, or human health hazards; the mix must be corrected.
Question 6: Which sprayer type is best suited for applying pesticide inside wall voids during a structural treatment?
- Hydraulic boom sprayer
- Dust applicator or injection-tip sprayer (Correct answer)
- Granule spreader
- Backpack fogger
Correct answer: Dust applicator or injection-tip sprayer
Dust applicators or injection-tip sprayers allow pesticide to be delivered directly into wall voids where wiring harborages and pests exist without opening walls.
Question 7: What does the term 'residual pesticide application' mean?
- Applying leftover pesticide from a previous job
- Applying a pesticide that remains active and continues to kill pests for an extended period after application (Correct answer)
- Applying pesticide only during residual (off-peak) hours
- Applying only the minimum amount of pesticide
Correct answer: Applying a pesticide that remains active and continues to kill pests for an extended period after application
A residual application leaves an active pesticide deposit on surfaces that continues to kill pests upon contact for days, weeks, or months depending on the product.
NYS PCO NYS PCO Pesticide Application Techniques 2
What is the purpose of calibrating a pesticide application equipment before use?