NYS PCO NYS PCO Integrated Pest Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Biological control in pest management uses:
- Natural enemies such as predators, parasites, or pathogens to reduce pest populations (Correct answer)
- Pesticides derived from natural plant sources
- Physical barriers to exclude pests
- Habitat modification to reduce pest breeding
Correct 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.
Question 2: The 'pesticide treadmill' in pest management describes:
- Over-reliance on chemicals that leads to resistance, requiring ever-stronger products (Correct answer)
- The process of rotating pesticide classes to prevent resistance
- Calendar-based application schedules
- The escalating cost of pesticide products
Correct 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.
Question 3: For cockroach management under IPM in a New York restaurant, the FIRST recommended step is:
- Thorough inspection to identify harborage sites and species (Correct answer)
- Immediate broad application of a residual spray
- Placing glue traps only
- Calling for a structural fumigation
Correct 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.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes an IPM 'preventive' control measure for rodents?
- Sealing gaps larger than ¼ inch with rodent-proof materials before infestation occurs (Correct answer)
- Placing bait stations after rodents are detected
- Applying repellent sprays monthly
- Setting snap traps as a first response
Correct 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.
Question 5: The use of pheromone traps in an IPM program primarily serves to:
- Monitor pest populations and determine if action thresholds are met (Correct answer)
- Kill all insects in the treated area
- Repel pests from sensitive areas
- Replace all chemical treatments
Correct 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.
Question 6: Under New York's IPM requirements for schools, PCOs must prioritize which approach?
- Non-chemical or least-toxic chemical methods first, with notification before pesticide use (Correct answer)
- Immediate chemical treatment to protect children from all pests
- Monthly scheduled pesticide applications regardless of pest levels
- Only biological control methods, no chemical use allowed
Correct 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.
NYS PCO NYS PCO Integrated Pest Management 2
Biological control in pest management uses: