Category-7A-General-and-Household-Pest-Control Practice Exam Questions with Answers Pesticide Applicator Category 7A General and Household Pest Control Exam Certification

Chronic toxicity refers to the adverse effects of long-term, repeated exposure to a pesticide, which is a significant concern for applicators who handle pesticides regularly. This can lead to health issues like cancer, neurological disorders, or reproductive problems, as noted in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 3: Pesticide Safety). Option B (acute toxicity) refers to effects from a single, high-dose exposure, which is less relevant to repeated use. Option C (periodic) is not a recognized term in toxicology.

Back siphonage occurs when pesticide solution is drawn back into the water supply during application, posing a contamination risk. NJDEP regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:30-9.11) mandate the use of check valves or anti-siphon devices to prevent this, making it a legal requirement in New Jersey. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application) also emphasizes this as a standard safety practice. Option A understates the requirement, and Option B is incorrect because it is necessary and legally mandated.

Pests like roaches, ants, or bedbugs tend to concentrate in specific areas where conditions are favorable, such as kitchens (food sources), bathrooms (moisture), or bedrooms (for bedbugs). TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Pest Behavior) explains that infestations are focused on specific areas based on pest biology and environmental factors. Option A (uniformly distributed) is incorrect, as pests do not spread evenly. Option B (restrained to entryways) is too limited, as infestations often occur deeper inside structures.

Under the New Jersey School IPM Act (N.J.A.C. 7:30-13), commercial pesticide applicators must notify the School IPM Coordinator and students, faculty, and staff of pesticide applications on school property. This includes advance notice (at least 72 hours prior) and posting signs at the application site. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 4: IPM in Schools) aligns with these requirements. Option A is incorrect because schools are also required to notify, but the applicator has a direct responsibility. Option C is incorrect, as notification is mandatory, not optional.

The TEMPRID SC label specifies that the re-entry interval for treated areas is to wait until the treated area is dry, typically 1-2 hours under normal conditions, unless otherwise specified for specific uses. This ensures that the pesticide has settled and there is no risk of exposure to wet residues. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application) aligns with this guidance for most indoor applications. Option A (24 hours) and Option C (12 hours) are incorrect, as they exceed the label’s re-entry requirement unless specified for a specific situation (e.g., in schools, where additional restrictions may apply).

Under NJDEP regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:30-6.2 and 7:30-5.2), a certified commercial pesticide applicator overseeing a pesticide operator has multiple responsibilities. Option A: The applicator is jointly liable for violations committed by the operator under their supervision, as they are responsible for ensuring compliance with all pesticide laws. Option B: The applicator must ensure the operator receives proper training, which includes initial training on safe pesticide use, handling, and application techniques as outlined in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 1: Legal Responsibilities). Option C: Annual retraining is also required to maintain competency and stay updated on regulations, a requirement for operators under the supervision of a certified applicator (NJDEP guidelines). Since all these responsibilities apply, Option D is correct.

The first step in any pest control program, especially under IPM, is an inspection to identify the pest, assess the infestation’s extent, and determine contributing factors. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 4: IPM) emphasizes that inspection guides the development of a targeted control strategy. Option A (pesticide application) should only occur after inspection and other methods are considered. Option C (alteration of the habitat) is a control method that follows inspection.

Acute toxicity refers to the adverse effects resulting from a single, short-term exposure to a pesticide, such as during an application. This can cause immediate symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or skin irritation, as explained in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 3: Pesticide Safety). Option A (chronic toxicity) involves long-term exposure. Option C (systemic toxicity) refers to effects on the entire body but is not specific to one-time exposure.

The second most common cause of pesticide poisoning for applicators is inhalation, as pesticides can be inhaled as vapors, mists, or dusts during mixing or application, especially in enclosed spaces. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 3: Pesticide Safety) notes that inhalation exposure often follows dermal exposure (the most common cause, see Question 18) in frequency. Option A (fire) is not a common cause of poisoning, though it poses other risks. Option C (dermal exposure) is the most common cause, not the second.

Only the adult stage of a flea feeds on blood, typically from a host like a pet or human. Flea larvae feed on organic debris and flea feces (dried blood), not directly on blood. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Fleas) details this life cycle. Option B (adult and larva) is incorrect, as larvae do not feed on blood. Option C (egg and larva) is incorrect, as eggs are non-feeding, and larvae do not consume blood.

Contact lenses can trap pesticide residues against the eye, increasing the risk of irritation or injury if exposure occurs. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 3: Pesticide Safety) advises applicators to not wear contact lenses when handling pesticides to avoid this risk. Option A (face shield) and Option B (goggles) are protective measures for the eyes but do not address the specific hazard of contact lenses trapping chemicals.

For single-family residences, NJDEP regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:30-9.13) require written notification to include the exact date of application to inform residents of when the treatment will occur. Option B (full pesticide label directions) is not required in the notification, though the label must be followed. Option C (name of the pesticide) is typically included in post-application notices but is not mandatory in the pre-application written notification.

Bait stations are effective for controlling pests like roaches or rodents when placed in areas where pests are active, such as near food sources or nesting sites. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application) emphasizes that placement is critical for success, as improper placement reduces pest contact with the bait. Option A (harborage) refers to pest hiding spots, not bait station use. Option B (application as a dab) applies to gel baits, not bait stations.

Cultural controls in IPM involve modifying the environment to make it less favorable for pests. Garbage elimination is a cultural control because it removes food sources that attract pests like roaches or flies, as noted in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 4: IPM). Option A (caulking) is a mechanical control, as it physically blocks pest entry. Option B (threshold numbers elevation) refers to monitoring, not a cultural practice.

For cockroach control indoors, the TEMPRID SC label and theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Cockroaches) recommend using a coarse low-pressure spray to treat specific areas where cockroaches are active, such as entry points, feeding and hiding areas, and cracks and crevices. This targeted approach ensures effective control while minimizing pesticide use. Option B (spray entire area) is incorrect, as broadcast treatments are not recommended for cockroaches indoors; spot or crack-and-crevice treatments are more effective. Option C (coarse spray at 80 psi) is incorrect, as 80 psi is too high for indoor applications, risking overspray and dispersal of pests.

Cockroaches undergo gradual metamorphosis, which includes three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Nymphs hatch from eggs and resemble smaller, wingless adults, molting several times before reaching maturity. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Cockroaches) confirms this life cycle for common species like the German cockroach. Option B (complete metamorphosis) applies to insects like flies or beetles. Option C (total metamorphosis) is not a recognized term and is incorrect.

Power sprayers are designed for high-volume applications over large areas, such as exterior perimeter and lawn applications (Option B) or termite applications (Option C), where large amounts of pesticide are needed. However, they are not suitable for interior house ant and roach applications (Option A), as these require precise, low-volume treatments (e.g., crack-and-crevice applications) using handheld sprayers, as noted in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application).

Pigeons are known to cause building damage through their droppings, which are acidic and can corrode structures, and they carry diseases like histoplasmosis and salmonellosis. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 8: Vertebrate Pests) identifies pigeons as a major pest in urban areas. Option B (starlings) and Option C (house finches) can cause some damage but are less associated with disease transmission to humans.

The TEMPRID SC label provides first aid instructions: if swallowed, the victim should sip water if conscious, but vomiting should not be induced unless directed by a poison control center or doctor. This aligns with standard pesticide safety protocols in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 3: Pesticide Safety). Option A (inducing vomiting) can be dangerous without professional guidance. Option B (giving water if unconscious) is incorrect, as no liquids should be given to an unconscious person.