Pest Control flashcards
Pest Control · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Complete metamorphosis
- An insect life cycle with four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult; examples include beetles, flies, moths, and butterflies.
- Incomplete metamorphosis
- An insect life cycle with three stages: egg, nymph, and adult; nymphs resemble small adults, and examples include cockroaches and true bugs.
- Termite and ant differences
- Termites have straight antennae, broad waists, and four equal-length wings; ants have elbowed antennae, pinched waists, and unequal forewings.
- Monocot vs dicot
- Monocots have one cotyledon, parallel leaf veins, and fibrous roots; dicots have two cotyledons, netlike veins, and a taproot.
- Action threshold
- The pest population density at which control measures are needed to prevent unacceptable damage, based on monitoring and the site’s tolerance.
- Economic injury level
- The pest density at which the cost of control equals the value of crop loss; action thresholds are often set below this level.
- Biological control
- Use of living natural enemies, such as predators, parasitoids, and pathogens, to suppress pest populations; conserving existing beneficials is a key tactic.
- Resistance management
- A strategy to slow pesticide resistance by rotating mode-of-action groups, using labeled rates, and avoiding repeated sublethal applications against the same pest.
- Signal words
- Label terms indicating acute toxicity: DANGER means highly toxic or corrosive, WARNING means moderately toxic, and CAUTION means slightly toxic.
- Dermal exposure
- Pesticide contact with skin, a common route of handler exposure; chemical-resistant gloves, coveralls, and prompt washing reduce absorption.
- Triple rinsing
- A container-cleaning procedure: fill the empty pesticide container about one-quarter full with water, rinse, pour rinse water into the spray tank, and repeat twice.
- SLUDGE syndrome
- Signs of organophosphate or carbamate poisoning: salivation, lacrimation, urination, diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress, and emesis; seek emergency medical care immediately.
- FIFRA
- The U.S. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act requires pesticide registration and makes the label legally binding; use inconsistent with the label is a violation.
- Restricted-use pesticide
- A pesticide that may be applied only by a certified applicator or under a certified applicator’s direct supervision because of human health or environmental risk.
- Reentry interval
- The minimum time after a pesticide application before workers may enter a treated area without required PPE, as stated on the label.
- Preharvest interval
- The minimum number of days between the last pesticide application and harvest of the crop, established to keep residues within legal tolerances.
- Nozzle pressure and flow
- Nozzle flow rate varies with the square root of pressure; increasing pressure fourfold doubles flow, while doubling pressure increases flow about 1.41 times.
- Broadcast GPA formula
- GPA equals (GPM times 5940) divided by (MPH times nozzle spacing in inches); use band width instead of nozzle spacing for banded sprays.
- Calibration
- The process of measuring and adjusting sprayer output, speed, pressure, and nozzle selection so the applicator delivers the label rate uniformly over the target area.
- Spray drift factors
- Drift increases with fine droplets, high pressure, low boom height, high wind, and temperature inversions; coarser droplets and buffer zones reduce risk.
- Temperature inversion
- A weather condition with cool air near the ground and warmer air above; it traps fine spray droplets and increases drift, so spraying should be avoided.
- Runoff vs leaching
- Runoff carries pesticides across the soil surface into surface water; leaching moves pesticides downward through soil toward groundwater.
- Bioaccumulation
- The buildup of a pesticide or other substance in an organism over time; biomagnification is increasing concentration through successive levels of a food chain.
- Pollinator protection
- Practices that reduce bee exposure, including avoiding applications to blooming crops, following label bee warnings, and applying when pollinators are not foraging.
- Acute vs chronic
- Acute effects appear soon after a single exposure, while chronic effects develop after repeated or long-term exposure and may include organ damage or cancer.
- Eye splash first aid
- Flush the eye with clean water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present, and seek medical attention; follow the label and SDS.
- Poison Control
- In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222 for poison emergencies; have the product label, SDS, and exposure information ready for the responder.
- Heat stroke signs
- Confusion, hot dry skin, high body temperature, and loss of consciousness are emergencies; cool the person and call emergency services immediately.
- Application record
- A document listing date, time, applicator, site, pest, product name, EPA registration number, rate, amount applied, area treated, and weather conditions.
- Service record
- A customer file entry describing inspection findings, pest activity, treatment areas, products used, and follow-up recommendations; it supports accountability and communication.
- Written contract
- A signed agreement defining service scope, fees, treatment limitations, cancellation terms, and liability; it should avoid promising complete pest elimination.
- SDS access
- Safety Data Sheets must be available to workers and emergency responders; they summarize hazards, first aid, handling, storage, and disposal information.