NYS PCO/PCT flashcards

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

NYSDEC pesticide registration

A pesticide must be registered with NYSDEC before sale or use in New York; federal EPA registration alone is insufficient for legal NY distribution or application.

Restricted-use pesticide (RUP)

A pesticide that may harm humans or the environment and may be applied only by a certified applicator or under direct supervision of one, per federal and NY rules.

Private applicator certification

Certification allowing a person to use or supervise restricted-use pesticides on land they own or rent for agricultural production, issued under NYSDEC authority.

Commercial applicator

A certified person who applies pesticides for hire or as part of a business on property not owned or rented by them; requires NYSDEC certification in a category.

Certification categories

NYSDEC classifies applicators by use, such as 3A ornamentals/turf, 3B turf, 5 aquatics, 6A rights-of-way, 7A structural, and 7F food processing.

Special local needs (SLN)

A state-approved registration for a specific local pest problem not covered by the federal label; NYSDEC approval is required before use in New York.

Signal word: DANGER-POISON

Highest acute toxicity category (Category I); oral LD50 is 50 mg/kg or less. Requires the skull-and-crossbones symbol and strict handling precautions.

Chemical-resistant gloves

Gloves made of materials such as nitrile, butyl, or laminate that resist pesticide penetration; leather and cloth gloves absorb chemicals and are prohibited for concentrates.

Respirator cartridge selection

Choose cartridges matching the hazard (organic vapor, particulate, or combination) and replace them per the manufacturer's schedule or when breakthrough occurs.

Triple rinsing

Filling an empty pesticide container one-third full, shaking, and draining into the spray tank three times, then puncturing and disposing per NYSDEC rules.

Pesticide spill response

Protect people, stop the source, contain with absorbent, avoid washing into drains, clean and decontaminate the area, and report significant spills to NYSDEC.

Poison control number

The national Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222, used for suspected pesticide exposure; have the product label available when calling.

Heat stress vs. exposure

Heat stress and pesticide poisoning share symptoms such as headache, nausea, sweating, and weakness; stop work and seek medical help when symptoms appear.

Integrated Pest Management

A decision framework: identify the pest, monitor and set thresholds, prevent with cultural and mechanical methods, then use biological and chemical controls as needed.

Action threshold

The pest population density at which the cost of control equals the expected crop loss; treatment is justified only when monitoring exceeds this level.

Resistance management

Rotating herbicide WSSA groups and insecticide IRAC groups and avoiding repeated use of one mode of action to slow pest resistance development.

Pre-emergent herbicide

An herbicide applied before weed seeds germinate that forms a soil barrier and controls weeds as they sprout; timing and moisture affect effectiveness.

Selective vs. nonselective

Selective herbicides control certain plant groups (e.g., 2,4-D on broadleaf weeds) while sparing others; nonselective products such as glyphosate injure most plants.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

A biological insecticide producing proteins toxic to specific larvae (e.g., caterpillars); it requires ingestion and correct timing against susceptible life stages.

Mite vs. insect

Mites are arachnids with eight legs and two body regions; insects have six legs and three body regions. Identification determines the correct control product.

Leaching vs. runoff

Leaching moves pesticides downward through soil into groundwater; runoff carries them across the surface into streams and lakes. Both threaten water resources.

Sprayer calibration formula

GPA = (GPM × 5940) / (MPH × swath width in inches); used to verify application rate before spraying to prevent over- or under-application.

Temperature inversion

A weather condition where cooler air is trapped under warmer air, preventing droplet dispersion and causing long-distance drift; avoid spraying during inversions.

Buffer zone

A label-required untreated distance between the application area and sensitive sites such as wells, streams, wetlands, or occupied buildings to protect water and people.

Drift reduction

Using low pressure, coarse droplets, drift-reduction nozzles and adjuvants, and spraying when wind is low and away from sensitive areas to limit off-target movement.

Pollinator protection

Label statements and practices that avoid applying pesticides to blooming crops or weeds when bees forage, reducing honey bee and native pollinator losses.

Rinse water disposal

Apply rinse water to a labeled site at the labeled rate or manage it per NYSDEC rules; never discharge it into storm drains, ditches, or surface water.

FIFRA

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act governs pesticide registration, labeling, and use nationally; NY adds requirements under ECL Article 33.

Application records

Required documentation of each application: date, location, product name, EPA registration number, rate, area treated, and applicator; retained per NYSDEC rules.

Label as legal document

The pesticide label's directions, restrictions, and precautionary statements are enforceable; applying in a manner inconsistent with the label is illegal.

Worker Protection Standard

Federal rules protecting agricultural workers and handlers: pesticide safety training, notification, re-entry intervals, PPE, and decontamination supplies.

Certification renewal

NYSDEC certification expires after a set term; renewal requires continuing education credits or reexamination before the expiration date to maintain legal status.