Pest Control key terms

An animal with a hard outer skeleton, a segmented body, and jointed legs, such as insects, spiders, mites, and centipedes. Most structural pests belong to this group, so recognizing the body plan helps narrow an identification.

The stage between two molts in the life of an immature insect or mite. Growth happens only when the old skin is shed, so size and age are described by instar number.

A life cycle with four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva looks nothing like the adult, and usually only the adult stage reproduces.

A living organism that carries and transmits a disease-causing agent from one host to another, such as a mosquito spreading a virus or a cockroach moving bacteria onto food.

A rodent species that lives near people and depends on human food and shelter, such as house mice, Norway rats, and roof rats. Their habits guide where traps and bait are placed.

A decision-making approach that combines inspection, monitoring, sanitation, exclusion, and least-risk controls, and uses pesticides only when other methods cannot hold the pest below the action threshold.

The pest population level at which control action must be taken to prevent unacceptable damage, nuisance, or health risk. It is set before treatment and decides whether a pesticide is justified.

Systematic, repeated checking for pests, their signs, and the conditions that support them, using traps, devices, or visual inspection, so that control decisions rest on evidence rather than assumptions.

Using living natural enemies such as predators, parasites, or pathogens to reduce a pest population. It works best as a long-term component and is easily disrupted by broad-spectrum pesticide use.

Removing the food, water, and shelter pests need by cleaning, storing products in sealed containers, and clearing debris. It lowers the site's carrying capacity and makes other control methods work better.

Physical measures that keep pests out of a structure or area, such as sealing cracks, installing door sweeps and screens, and repairing gaps around utility lines.

Placing an attractive food or material containing a toxicant or other active ingredient where pests will find and consume it, usually in secured stations that protect children, pets, and non-target animals.

An inherited ability of a pest population to survive a pesticide dose that would normally kill it. Repeated selection favors resistant individuals, so rotating modes of action and using non-chemical methods slows it.

Clothing and gear worn to shield the body from pesticide exposure, such as gloves, coveralls, boots, eye protection, and respirators. The label states the minimum required for a product and task.

A procedure that checks whether a respirator seals against a person's face, using a taste, particle, or measured challenge. It is repeated at least yearly and whenever the model or size changes.

Gloves made of a material that resists penetration by the pesticide being handled. Labels may name specific materials, and unlined gloves should be rinsed and removed without touching the contaminated outer surface.

A container of absorbent material, broom, dustpan, heavy bags, and protective equipment kept on hand so a small pesticide spill can be contained and cleaned up without delay.

Contact of a pesticide with the skin. It is a common route of poisoning during mixing, application, and cleanup, and prompt washing with soap and water reduces how much is absorbed.

A pesticide that may be applied only by, or under the direct supervision of, a certified applicator because of risks to people or the environment. The classification is printed on the label.

A person who has passed the required competency examination and holds a valid credential permitting use of restricted-use pesticides, usually maintained through continuing education and renewal.

The word on the front panel of a pesticide label that shows the product's acute toxicity category: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION. It gives a quick indication of the hazard of the formulated product.

The period after a pesticide application during which entering the treated area is prohibited unless the person wears the protective equipment the label specifies.

A document, required for hazardous chemicals including pesticides, that summarizes physical properties, health hazards, first aid, handling, and spill response. It supplements the label but does not replace it.

Measuring and adjusting equipment so it delivers the intended amount of product over a known area, then confirming that output stays consistent during use.

The part of spray equipment that breaks liquid into droplets and shapes the spray pattern. Tip size, orifice wear, and pressure together determine flow rate and droplet size.

The amount of formulated product or active ingredient applied per unit of area, volume, or site, as the label specifies. It is achieved by combining equipment output with travel speed.

Movement of pesticide droplets or particles through the air away from the target area during or soon after application. It can injure non-target plants, animals, and people, and is limited by droplet size and weather awareness.

An untreated strip of land between the application area and a sensitive site such as water, a home, or a school. Its width may be set by the label or by local rules.

Movement of pesticide across the ground surface with water, which can carry product into storm drains, streams, and ponds. Avoiding application before rain and respecting setbacks reduces it.

Downward movement of pesticide through soil toward groundwater. It is more likely with highly soluble products, sandy soils, and heavy irrigation or rainfall soon after an application.

Any plant, animal, or microbe that is not the pest being controlled. Protecting these organisms is the purpose of label directions, buffer zones, bait stations, and careful timing of applications.

The harmful effect produced by a single exposure or a short series of exposures to a pesticide, usually measured within hours to a few days. It drives signal words and first aid statements.

The dose of a substance that kills 50 percent of a test population under stated conditions. A lower value means greater acute toxicity, so the figure is used to compare products.

A treatment that counteracts the effects of a poison. Most pesticides have no specific antidote, so following the label's first aid directions and getting professional medical care are the priority.

Removing pesticide residue from skin, clothing, equipment, or surfaces to stop further exposure. It begins at once with soap and water and removal of contaminated clothing.

A written entry for each application, typically listing date, site, target pest, product name, registration number, rate, total amount, applicator, and relevant conditions. It supports compliance and later evaluation.

Telling the client, and where required the occupants, what will be applied, when service will occur, what precautions to take, and when it is safe to return.

A written contract describing the scope of pest control service, treatment schedule, pricing, customer responsibilities, and any guarantees. It protects both parties and sets clear expectations.