NYS PCO Pesticide Application Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real NYS PCO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 NYS PCO Pesticide Application Techniques flashcards as text
When treating a multi-unit residential building in New York State, what notice must typically be provided to occupants prior to a pesticide application?
Answer: A 48-hour written notice as required by NYS law for multi-family dwellings
NYS law requires PCOs to provide a 48-hour advance written notice to occupants of multiple dwellings before applying pesticides inside their units.
Which method of pesticide application is generally preferred in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program because it minimizes non-target exposure?
Answer: Targeted crack, crevice, and spot treatments
IPM favors targeted treatments that place pesticide only where pests are present or likely to travel, reducing total pesticide use and non-target risks.
What is a wettable powder (WP) and how does it differ from an emulsifiable concentrate (EC) when mixed with water?
Answer: WP forms a suspension that must be agitated; EC forms a stable emulsion
Wettable powders do not dissolve—they form suspensions requiring constant agitation—while ECs form stable emulsions through emulsifiers that blend the oil-based concentrate with water.
When a PCO treats a property adjacent to a water body in New York State, what is the primary concern regarding pesticide application?
Answer: Preventing pesticide runoff or drift from reaching and contaminating the water body
Pesticides entering water bodies can harm aquatic organisms and violate federal and state environmental regulations, so buffer zones and careful application are required.
If a PCO must re-enter a treated area, what information on the pesticide label determines when safe re-entry is permitted?
Answer: The re-entry interval (REI) specified on the label
The re-entry interval (REI) on the label specifies the minimum time that must pass after application before unprotected persons may enter the treated area.
What is the purpose of a backflow preventer on a pesticide mixing and filling station?
Answer: To prevent pesticide-contaminated water from flowing back into the potable water supply
A backflow preventer protects the public water supply from contamination if pressure drops cause siphoning of pesticide-laden water back through the hose connection.
Which of the following practices helps prevent pesticide resistance from developing in a target pest population?
Answer: Rotating between pesticides with different modes of action
Rotating between products with different modes of action prevents any single resistance mechanism from becoming dominant in the pest population over time.