KY Pesticide Applicator key terms

The federal law that governs how pesticides are registered, labeled, sold, and used in the United States; it gives EPA authority to set national standards.

A unique number assigned to each pesticide product when it is registered with EPA; it appears on the label and identifies the approved product and formulation.

A pesticide that can be bought and used only by a certified applicator or under the direct supervision of one, because it poses greater risk to people or the environment.

A person who has passed the required exams and been certified by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to apply or supervise use of restricted-use pesticides.

A certified applicator who uses restricted-use pesticides on land they own or rent, typically for agricultural production, and not as a paid service for others.

A certified applicator who applies pesticides for hire or as part of their job on property they do not own or rent, such as a lawn care or pest control business.

A registration granted by a state under FIFRA Section 24(c) that allows an additional use of a federally registered pesticide to solve a local pest problem.

A temporary EPA authorization allowing use of an unregistered pesticide, or an unregistered use, during a declared emergency pest outbreak when no registered alternative exists.

The printed directions, warnings, and use restrictions that come with a pesticide product; the label is legally binding and must be followed.

The period after a pesticide application during which people may not enter the treated area without required protective equipment, as stated on the label.

The minimum number of days that must pass between the last pesticide application and harvest of the crop, as required on the label.

A decision-making approach that combines monitoring, cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical tactics to keep pest populations below damaging levels while limiting pesticide use.

The pest population level at which the cost of control equals the value of crop loss that would occur without treatment; it signals when control is economically justified.

The pest population level at which control should begin to prevent the pest from reaching the economic threshold; it is usually set lower than the economic threshold.

Regular inspection of a field or site to identify pests, estimate their numbers, and check crop or site conditions so control decisions are based on current information.

Using natural enemies such as predators, parasites, or pathogens to reduce pest populations; a key nonchemical tactic in integrated pest management.

Changing normal management practices, such as crop rotation, sanitation, resistant varieties, or planting dates, to make conditions less favorable for pests.

The inherited ability of a pest population to survive a pesticide dose that would normally kill susceptible individuals of the same species.

The specific way a pesticide interferes with a pest's biology, such as blocking nerve signals or inhibiting an enzyme; rotating modes of action helps slow resistance.

A word on the pesticide label-DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION-that indicates the product's relative acute toxicity and the level of hazard to the user.

The dose of a pesticide that kills 50 percent of a test animal population; a lower LD50 means the product is more acutely toxic.

Harmful effects that occur from a single exposure or from exposures over a short time, such as skin irritation, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.

Harmful effects that develop after repeated or long-term exposure, such as organ damage or cancer, and may not appear until years later.

Clothing and gear, such as gloves, coveralls, boots, eyewear, and respirators, worn to reduce pesticide exposure; the label states the minimum required.

A device worn over the nose and mouth that filters air or supplies clean air to protect the lungs from pesticide dusts, mists, vapors, or fumes.

A document from the manufacturer that describes a product's hazards, first aid, safe handling, and emergency procedures; keep it available where pesticides are stored or used.

Washing or cleaning skin, clothing, equipment, or surfaces to remove pesticide residues and reduce the chance of exposure or carry-home contamination.

An enzyme in the body that is inhibited by organophosphate and carbamate pesticides; blood testing can monitor exposure for applicators who work with these products.

Adjusting application equipment so it delivers the intended amount of pesticide mixture over a known area, such as gallons per acre, under actual operating conditions.

The sprayer part that breaks liquid into droplets and shapes the spray pattern; nozzle type, size, pressure, and wear all affect application rate and drift.

The volume of spray mixture applied to one acre; a common calibration target for broadcast sprayers and a key number in pesticide rate calculations.

The off-target movement of pesticide droplets, particles, or vapor away from the application site, which can injure crops, people, or the environment.

An untreated area between the application site and a sensitive area, such as a home, school, or water body, that helps prevent pesticide drift or runoff from reaching it.

Injecting pesticides into irrigation water so the water carries the product to the crop; requires backflow prevention to protect the water supply.

The downward movement of pesticides through soil with water, which can contaminate groundwater; risk is higher in sandy soils and with highly soluble products.

The movement of pesticides across the soil surface with rainwater or irrigation, which can carry them into streams, ponds, or other surface water.

Rinsing an empty pesticide container three times, adding each rinse to the spray tank, then puncturing or disposing of the container as the label directs.

A structure such as a curb, tray, or dike placed under stored pesticide containers to catch leaks or spills and keep them from spreading.

Plants or animals listed as threatened or endangered under federal law; some pesticide labels restrict use in areas where these species live.

Practices that reduce pesticide exposure to bees and other pollinators, such as applying when flowers are not present, at night, or when bees are not foraging.