FL GHP/Rodent flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Complete metamorphosis

A life cycle of egg, larva, pupa, and adult in which the immature stages look different from the adult and often live in different habitats; examples include ants, fleas, and moths.

Incomplete metamorphosis

A life cycle of egg, nymph, and adult in which nymphs resemble small adults and share the same habitat and food; cockroaches, termites, and bed bugs develop this way.

House mouse identification

Mus musculus is small, about 15-19 cm including the tail, with a pointed snout, small feet, and a tail roughly as long as its body.

Norway rat identification

Rattus norvegicus is a large, heavy-bodied rat with a blunt snout, small ears, and a tail shorter than its body; it often burrows near ground level.

German cockroach identification

Blattella germanica adults are about 13 mm long, tan to light brown, with two dark parallel stripes on the pronotum and wings that reach the abdomen tip.

Termite versus ant

Termites have straight antennae, a broad waist, and equal-sized wings; ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist, and forewings larger than hindwings.

Bed bug adult appearance

Cimex lectularius adults are flat, oval, and reddish brown, about 4-5 mm long; first-instar nymphs are only about 1.5 mm and nearly translucent.

Stored-product pest signs

Indian meal moth larvae leave silk webbing on food surfaces, while grain and flour beetles are small beetles under 4 mm that attack whole or milled grain.

IPM decision sequence

Inspect and identify the pest, set an action threshold, apply sanitation and exclusion, use physical and biological controls, and use pesticides only as a targeted supplement.

Action threshold

The pest population level at which control is justified; below it, monitoring and prevention are preferred, and above it, treatment is warranted.

Inspection sequence

Inspect the exterior perimeter and entry points first, then the interior, working from the least-infested to the most-infested areas to avoid spreading pests.

Monitoring devices

Sticky traps and glue boards detect cockroaches and spiders, pheromone traps monitor stored-product moths and beetles, and snap traps detect rodent activity.

Rodent entry gap size

Mice can enter through openings as small as 1/4 inch (about 6 mm), so doors, utility penetrations, and foundation gaps must be sealed to exclude them.

Harborage reduction

Sealing cracks and crevices, caulking utility penetrations, repairing screens, and removing clutter reduce the shelter that supports indoor pest populations.

Label directions for use

The label states the permitted site, target pest, application rate, method, and frequency; use inconsistent with these directions violates FIFRA.

Signal word DANGER

DANGER indicates Category I acute toxicity; if the product is highly toxic by any route, the label also carries POISON and a skull and crossbones.

Signal word WARNING

WARNING indicates Category II acute toxicity, a moderate hazard level between the more severe DANGER and the less severe CAUTION categories.

Restricted-entry interval

The REI is the minimum time after a pesticide application before workers may enter the treated area without the PPE required by the label.

PPE label minimum

The personal protective equipment listed on the label is the minimum legal requirement; an applicator may wear more protection but not less.

Florida pesticide authority

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulates pesticide use in Florida, including certification and recordkeeping for restricted-use pesticide applications.

Off-label application

Applying a pesticide to a site, pest, or rate not listed on the label is off-label use and is a violation of federal and state pesticide law.

Crack-and-crevice application

A low-pressure pin-stream delivered with a narrow tip into voids, cracks, and harborage, used where the label specifies crack-and-crevice treatment rather than surface broadcast.

Gel bait placement

Place small dabs of gel bait near harborage at cracks, hinges, and corners; avoid spraying residual insecticide over bait because it can reduce bait acceptance.

Compressed air sprayer care

Pressurize per the manufacturer, use a strainer to prevent tip clogging, and clean the tank and nozzle after use to avoid cross-contamination between products.

Dust application limits

Dusts are suited to voids and dry areas; in damp locations they can clump and lose effectiveness, so the label use sites must be followed.

Bait station placement

Secure tamper-resistant rodent bait stations along walls and runways and out of reach of children, pets, and non-target wildlife, following label placement restrictions.

Calibration concept

Application rate equals equipment output per unit time divided by walking speed or swath coverage; check nozzle output and swath width before treating large areas.

Drift reduction

Lower pressure, larger droplets, correct nozzle height, and attention to wind reduce off-target pesticide movement toward sensitive sites.

German cockroach baiting

Gel baiting plus crack-and-crevice residual in kitchens and bathrooms, targeting behind appliances and under sinks, with follow-up in one to two weeks.

Ant trail baiting

Follow the trail to the colony and use species-labeled bait; broadcast sprays that kill foragers can cause colony budding and worsen the infestation.

Bed bug treatment combination

Inspect seams, box springs, and headboards; combine vacuuming, heat or steam, mattress encasement, and labeled residual or contact insecticide applications.

Rodenticide station rule

Place rodenticide only in tamper-resistant stations secured to the ground or structure, and follow label restrictions on placement and non-target wildlife protection.