Private Applicator cheat sheet

IPM pyramid order: prevention/cultural, mechanical/physical, biological, then chemical controls; chemical is used when scouting shows thresholds are exceeded.

Economic threshold (ET): pest density at which control cost equals crop value lost to the pest; action threshold may be set lower to account for response lag.

Economic injury level (EIL): lowest pest density that causes economic damage; ET is usually set below EIL.

Degree-days = sum of daily (average temperature minus lower development threshold) for days above threshold; used to time scouting and treatment to insect stages.

Resistance management: rotate among IRAC/FRAC/WSSA mode-of-action groups and use multiple tactics; switching among products in the same group does not delay resistance.

Disease triangle: susceptible host + virulent pathogen + favorable environment must all be present; disrupting one factor prevents disease.

Grass vs broadleaf weed ID: grasses have round stems, two-ranked narrow leaves, and a ligule; broadleaves have netted veins and two cotyledons.

Scouting: sample in a pattern (zigzag or random) across the field, record counts per unit (per sweep, per plant, per square foot), and compare with thresholds.

The label is the legal use document; using a product in a manner inconsistent with its label is a violation of FIFRA.

REI = restricted-entry interval, the time after application before worker entry without PPE; PHI = preharvest interval, days before harvest.

Signal words: DANGER-POISON with skull and crossbones for Category I oral/dermal/inhalation toxicity; DANGER for Category I non-poison or corrosive; WARNING for Category II; CAUTION for III/IV.

"Keep out of reach of children" must appear on every pesticide label.

The Directions for Use portion of the label includes PPE, first aid, environmental hazards, storage, and disposal; supplemental labeling distributed with the product must also be followed.

SDS has 16 sections; Section 4 first aid, Section 6 accidental release, Section 7 handling/storage, Section 8 exposure controls/PPE.

Restricted-use pesticides carry "Restricted Use Pesticide" at the top and may be applied only by or under the supervision of a certified applicator.

Tank-mix order: fill tank half to three-quarters with water, add dry formulations (WP/WDG) first, then flowables, then emulsifiable concentrates, then adjuvants, keeping agitation.

If a label prohibits tank mixing, do not mix; if not prohibited, a jar test checks physical compatibility.

FIFRA gives EPA authority to register pesticides; states may impose stricter requirements, and Section 24(c) allows special local need registrations.

Private applicator: certified to apply restricted-use pesticides on land owned or rented by self or employer, or to produce stored on that land, not for hire.

Commercial applicator applies for hire or on property not owned/rented by self or employer; both require certification.

Federal RUP records: date, product name, EPA registration number, amount, location, crop/site, applicator name and certification number; retain 2 years.

WPS records: application information provided to workers, training verification, and REI exceptions; retain 2 years.

Misuse includes applying to a nonlabeled site, at an excessive rate, or without required PPE; penalties can be civil or criminal for knowing violations.

WPS training for workers and handlers is required every 5 years; handlers must be trained before handling pesticides.

Certification renewal: state-specific cycle and continuing education credits; expired certification means no RUP applications.

Formulation codes: EC emulsifiable concentrate, WP wettable powder, WDG water-dispersible granule, SC suspension concentrate, SL soluble liquid, G granular, CS capsule suspension.

EC formulations contain solvents that can injure sensitive foliage and increase dermal absorption; WP can leave visible residue on fruit.

Adjuvant types: surfactant lowers surface tension; crop oil concentrate increases penetration but raises crop injury risk; organosilicone improves spreading.

Jar test: use a clear jar with water and products in planned order; observe for flocculation, separation, sediment, oil film, or heat.

Addition order: water first, then dry products, then liquid flowables, then ECs, then adjuvants; keep agitation running.

Alkaline spray water can hydrolyze organophosphates and carbamates; buffer to the label-recommended pH and mix soon before use.

Product per acre = desired lb active ingredient per acre divided by fraction active ingredient in product.

lb ai per acre = (product rate per acre x percent active ingredient) divided by 100; use to compare products with different concentrations.

Compatibility agents are used when mixing with liquid fertilizers; follow label and jar test first.

Acute oral LD50 categories: I <=50 mg/kg; II >50-500; III >500-5000; IV >5000.

Dermal LD50 categories: I <=200 mg/kg; II >200-2000; III >2000-5000; IV >5000.

Inhalation LC50 categories: I <=0.05 mg/L; II >0.05-0.5; III >0.5-2; IV >2.

Signal words: Category I DANGER (DANGER-POISON when oral, dermal, or inhalation Category I); II WARNING; III and IV CAUTION.

Acute toxicity is from a single exposure; chronic toxicity includes carcinogenicity, reproductive effects, birth defects, and neurotoxicity from repeated exposure.

Organophosphates and carbamates inhibit cholinesterase; signs include salivation, sweating, miosis, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle twitching, and respiratory depression.

Dermal absorption is the main applicator exposure route; solvents and warm, moist skin increase absorption.

Most pesticide poisonings have no specific antidote; treatment is supportive, and atropine is used for organophosphate poisoning under medical direction.

Label-specified PPE is the minimum; typical baseline is long pants, long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks, and waterproof gloves.

Chemical-resistant gloves: nitrile, neoprene, butyl, viton; leather and latex are not chemical resistant for pesticides.

Respirator selection: dust/mist filtering facepiece for particles; cartridge respirator with prefilter for vapors; fit test annually and remain clean-shaven at the seal.

Inspect PPE before each use; discard gloves and clothing that are torn, punctured, or contaminated on the inside.

Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, smoking, or using the toilet; change out of contaminated clothing promptly.

Pesticide-contaminated work clothing should be washed separately from family laundry, and PPE stored separately from personal clothing.

PPE increases heat stress risk; use work-rest cycles, fluids, and cooling measures when wearing impermeable gear.

GPM = (GPA x MPH x W) divided by 5,940, where W is nozzle spacing in inches for broadcast or band width for banded application.

Acres covered per tank = tank capacity in gallons divided by gallons per acre.

Nozzle flow varies with square root of pressure: flow2 = flow1 x square root of (pressure2/pressure1).

Speed change: GPA is inversely proportional to ground speed; doubling speed halves GPA if nozzle flow is unchanged.

Calibration steps: measure a course, time nozzle output into a container, convert to GPA, and adjust pressure or speed to the label rate.

Nozzle types: flat fan for broadcast foliar, even flat fan for banding, hollow cone for penetration/contact, air induction for drift reduction.

Replace nozzles when flow is about 10% above rated; abrasive WP/WDG formulations wear tips faster and cause pattern distortion.

Smaller droplets increase drift; increase orifice size, lower pressure, or use air-induction nozzles to produce coarser droplets.

Drift = off-target movement; particle drift is droplet movement during application, vapor drift is volatilization after application.

Temperature inversion: cool air under warm air suppresses mixing, and fine droplets can stay suspended and move far; do not spray.

Wind: follow label wind speed limits (often 2-10 mph); avoid gusty winds and dead-calm inversions.

Buffer zones protect sensitive areas: water bodies, schools, hospitals, bee hives, and endangered species habitat.

Runoff: reduce with buffer strips, incorporation, lower application rates, and avoiding application before forecast rain.

Leaching risk increases with high water solubility, low soil adsorption (low Koc), long persistence, sandy soils, and shallow groundwater.

Volatilization risk increases with high vapor pressure, high temperature, and low humidity; use a low-volatility formulation.

Endangered species: consult the label and EPA Bulletins Live! Two for county-specific restrictions.

Storage: locked, ventilated, away from food, feed, seed, and ignition; keep products in original labeled containers.

Transport: secure containers, keep shipping papers and emergency response information, and do not carry pesticides with food or feed.

Spill response: protect people, stop the source only if safe, contain with absorbent or soil, and keep material out of drains and water.

Spill kit contents: PPE, absorbent, broom and dustpan, heavy-duty bags, and soap for cleanup.

Triple rinse: fill container about one-quarter full, cap, shake, drain rinse into spray tank, repeat three times.

Rinsate from containers can be applied to a labeled site at a labeled rate; never pour it on the ground or into a drain.

Empty containers: triple rinse or pressure rinse, then follow label and state rules; never reuse a pesticide container.

Reportable spills: notify state pesticide agency and emergency services as required; do not bury or burn containers unless the label allows it.

Poisoning signs: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, salivation, blurred vision, miosis, muscle twitching, seizures, and respiratory depression.

First aid priority: protect yourself, then move the victim to fresh air and remove contaminated clothing.

Skin: wash with soap and water; eye: flush with clean water for at least 15 minutes, holding eyelids open.

Inhalation: give fresh air and artificial respiration if breathing has stopped; avoid mouth-to-mouth if the victim's mouth is contaminated, use a barrier device.

Oral: rinse mouth and give small sips of water if conscious; do not induce vomiting unless the label or poison control instructs.

Call 911 and Poison Help 1-800-222-1222; have the label, SDS, and product container for medical staff.

Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious or convulsing person; for seizures, protect from injury and do not restrain.