ServSafe Certification Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the FIRST step in an Integrated Pest Management program?
- Apply pesticides immediately
- Identify the pest correctly (Correct answer)
- Seal all cracks and crevices
- Contact a licensed pest control operator
Correct answer: Identify the pest correctly
Correct identification of the pest is always the first step in IPM so the appropriate control method can be selected.
Question 2: A food establishment finds gnaw marks on food packaging. This is an example of which IPM concept?
- Pest control
- Pest monitoring
- Pest exclusion
- Pest identification sign (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Pest identification sign
Gnaw marks are a physical sign used during the identification phase to confirm the type of pest present.
Question 3: Which area of a food establishment is MOST likely to attract cockroaches?
- Walk-in freezer
- Dry storage with cardboard boxes (Correct answer)
- Stainless steel prep tables
- Reach-in refrigerator
Correct answer: Dry storage with cardboard boxes
Cockroaches are attracted to warm, moist areas with harborage, and cardboard boxes in dry storage provide ideal hiding spots.
Question 4: In IPM, what does 'exclusion' mean?
- Eliminating pests with traps
- Applying pesticides around the perimeter
- Blocking pest entry points into the facility (Correct answer)
- Removing food sources from pest-prone areas
Correct answer: Blocking pest entry points into the facility
Exclusion refers to physical measures that prevent pests from entering the facility, such as sealing gaps and installing door sweeps.
Question 5: How often should pest control monitoring logs be reviewed in a food establishment?
- Once a year during health inspections
- Only when a pest is spotted
- Regularly on a scheduled basis (Correct answer)
- Every five years
Correct answer: Regularly on a scheduled basis
Regular review of monitoring logs helps detect pest activity trends early and allows corrective actions before an infestation develops.
Question 6: A pest control operator (PCO) applied pesticide inside a food establishment. What must happen before food operations resume?
- Wait 24 hours regardless of pesticide used
- The area must be cleaned and ventilated per label instructions (Correct answer)
- Management must approve restart verbally
- Staff must wear PPE for the next shift
Correct answer: The area must be cleaned and ventilated per label instructions
The pesticide label dictates re-entry requirements, and the treated area must be properly cleaned and ventilated before food operations resume.
Question 7: Which pest is MOST commonly associated with the spread of Salmonella in a food establishment?
- German cockroach (Correct answer)
- Fruit fly
- Flour beetle
- Silverfish
Correct answer: German cockroach
German cockroaches are known vectors of Salmonella and other pathogens and are a major concern in food service environments.
ServSafe Certification Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 2
Which of the following is the FIRST step in an Integrated Pest Management program?