NYS PCO NYS PCO General 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A technician wants to spray a perimeter treatment but rain is forecast within the hour. What is the BEST decision?
- Postpone the application to avoid runoff and reduced effectiveness (Correct answer)
- Double the application rate so some product survives the rain
- Apply as scheduled since the label was already read
- Switch to a fogging application indoors instead
Correct 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.
Question 2: What is pesticide drift?
- Movement of pesticide through the air away from the intended target site (Correct answer)
- The gradual loss of potency in storage
- Residue remaining on a surface after treatment
- The movement of a pest population between buildings
Correct 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.
Question 3: Which condition MOST increases the risk of spray drift?
- Small droplet size combined with wind (Correct answer)
- Large droplet size and low nozzle pressure
- Applying at ground level on a calm day
- Using a bait formulation instead of a spray
Correct answer: Small droplet size combined with wind
Fine droplets produced at high pressure stay airborne longer and are easily carried off target by wind.
Question 4: Repeatedly using pesticides with the same mode of action against a pest population is most likely to cause what?
- Development of pesticide resistance in the pest population (Correct answer)
- Permanent eradication of the species
- Improved product performance over time
- Conversion of the pesticide into a fertilizer
Correct 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.
Question 5: In New York, what generally must a commercial applicator provide to a residential customer before an indoor pesticide application?
- Written information about the pesticide, such as label information or required notice (Correct answer)
- A refund guarantee in writing
- A list of competing pest control companies
- Nothing, as long as the customer signed an annual contract
Correct 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.
Question 6: Which formulation releases pesticide gradually and is often chosen to extend residual control?
- Microencapsulated (ME) formulation (Correct answer)
- Emulsifiable concentrate applied at half rate
- Fumigant gas
- Contact aerosol
Correct answer: Microencapsulated (ME) formulation
Microencapsulated formulations enclose the active ingredient in tiny capsules that release it slowly over time.
Question 7: 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?
- Refuse, because exceeding the labeled rate is illegal (Correct answer)
- Comply, since the customer is paying for results
- Apply the higher rate but note it in the records
- Apply the higher rate only in unoccupied rooms
Correct 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.
NYS PCO NYS PCO General 5
A technician wants to spray a perimeter treatment but rain is forecast within the hour.
What is the BEST decision?