NYS PCO General Flashcards

A technician wants to spray a perimeter treatment but rain is forecast within the hour. What is the BEST decision?

Answer: Postpone the application to avoid runoff and reduced effectiveness

Rain shortly after application can wash pesticide into non-target areas and waterways while destroying efficacy.

What is pesticide drift?

Answer: Movement of pesticide through the air away from the intended target site

Drift is airborne off-target movement of spray droplets or vapors, which can harm people, pets, and the environment.

Which condition MOST increases the risk of spray drift?

Answer: Small droplet size combined with wind

Fine droplets produced at high pressure stay airborne longer and are easily carried off target by wind.

Repeatedly using pesticides with the same mode of action against a pest population is most likely to cause what?

Answer: Development of pesticide resistance in the pest population

Survivors of repeated identical treatments pass on resistance traits, so rotating modes of action is essential.

In New York, what generally must a commercial applicator provide to a residential customer before an indoor pesticide application?

Answer: Written information about the pesticide, such as label information or required notice

NYS neighbor-notification and consumer information rules require applicators to supply pesticide information and required notices to occupants.

Which formulation releases pesticide gradually and is often chosen to extend residual control?

Answer: Microencapsulated (ME) formulation

Microencapsulated formulations enclose the active ingredient in tiny capsules that release it slowly over time.

A customer asks a technician to apply a pesticide at a higher rate than the label allows 'to make sure it works.' What must the technician do?

Answer: Refuse, because exceeding the labeled rate is illegal

Applying any pesticide above the labeled rate violates FIFRA and state law regardless of customer wishes.