NYS PCO Integrated Pest Management Flashcards

Biological control in pest management uses:

Answer: Natural enemies such as predators, parasites, or pathogens to reduce pest populations

Biological control introduces or augments natural enemies — parasitic wasps, predatory beetles, entomopathogenic fungi — to suppress pest populations.

The 'pesticide treadmill' in pest management describes:

Answer: Over-reliance on chemicals that leads to resistance, requiring ever-stronger products

The pesticide treadmill occurs when repeated use of the same chemistry selects for resistant populations, requiring higher doses or different products in a cycle.

For cockroach management under IPM in a New York restaurant, the FIRST recommended step is:

Answer: Thorough inspection to identify harborage sites and species

Inspection to locate harborage sites and confirm species identification is the essential first step before selecting targeted IPM tactics.

Which of the following best describes an IPM 'preventive' control measure for rodents?

Answer: Sealing gaps larger than ¼ inch with rodent-proof materials before infestation occurs

Preventive exclusion — sealing entry gaps to ¼ inch or less — is the most durable rodent IPM tactic and stops infestations before they start.

The use of pheromone traps in an IPM program primarily serves to:

Answer: Monitor pest populations and determine if action thresholds are met

Pheromone traps capture insects to detect presence, estimate populations, and guide treatment timing decisions rather than acting as a mass kill device.

Under New York's IPM requirements for schools, PCOs must prioritize which approach?

Answer: Non-chemical or least-toxic chemical methods first, with notification before pesticide use

NY school IPM mandates a least-toxic, preventive approach with required pre-notification and documentation before any pesticide application.