RI Pesticide Applicator key terms

A decision-making approach that combines monitoring, sanitation, biological controls, and pesticides so chemicals are used only when other tactics cannot keep a pest below the damage threshold.

The pest population level at which control measures should begin to prevent the population from reaching the level where unacceptable damage or loss occurs.

The lowest pest population density that causes crop damage equal in value to the cost of controlling that pest; it is the break-even point for treatment.

Systematically inspecting a site or crop on a regular schedule to detect pests, identify them, and estimate their numbers so treatment decisions rest on current field information.

A pest that regularly reaches damaging numbers in a given crop or site and requires routine management attention rather than occasional response.

The specific biochemical or physiological process by which a pesticide kills or suppresses a pest, such as nerve disruption or inhibition of a particular enzyme.

An inherited ability of a pest population to survive a pesticide dose that would normally kill individuals of that species, developing after repeated exposure and selection.

Practices such as rotating pesticide modes of action, mixing tactics, and using labeled rates that slow the selection of pest individuals able to survive treatment.

The single word CAUTION, WARNING, or DANGER that appears on a pesticide label to summarize the product's acute toxicity hazard to people.

Label sections describing hazards to humans and the environment and the protective measures required, including personal protective equipment, first aid, and environmental warnings.

The label portion stating approved sites, pests, application rates, timing, and methods; applying in a manner inconsistent with these directions is a violation of federal law.

A pesticide that may be sold and used only by or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator because of its potential to harm people or the environment.

The written, printed, or graphic material attached to or accompanying a pesticide container that carries the EPA-approved directions, warnings, and use restrictions.

All written or graphic material that accompanies a pesticide or its container, including the label itself, brochures, and supplemental information referenced by the label.

An identifying number assigned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency when a pesticide product is registered, showing the product has met federal review requirements.

The component of a pesticide formulation that is responsible for the pesticidal effect; its identity and percentage are stated on the label.

Any substance in a pesticide formulation other than the active ingredient, such as carriers, solvents, or surfactants; inerts may still be hazardous to the handler.

The physical mixture of active ingredient with carriers, solvents, and adjuvants that makes a pesticide safe, stable, and usable in application equipment.

A liquid formulation in which the active ingredient dissolves in an organic solvent with emulsifiers so it disperses in water as a milky mixture in the spray tank.

A dry powder formulation that is mixed with water to form a suspension for spraying; it requires constant agitation because the particles settle out.

A surface-active adjuvant that lowers the surface tension of spray droplets so the mixture spreads and wets the target surface more evenly.

A substance added to a spray mixture to improve its performance, such as a surfactant, spreader, sticker, or drift-control agent.

Clothing and gear such as gloves, coveralls, boots, goggles, and respirators worn to reduce exposure to pesticides during mixing, application, and cleanup.

Movement of pesticide droplets, particles, or vapor away from the intended target area by wind, air currents, or volatilization during or after application.

The component at the end of a spray boom that meters and shapes the spray, controlling droplet size, spray pattern, and the volume delivered per acre.

The process of measuring and adjusting application equipment so it delivers the labeled rate uniformly over the treated area, verified by measuring output and travel speed.

The amount of pesticide product or active ingredient applied per unit area or volume, such as pounds per acre or ounces per gallon, as specified on the label.

Mechanical or hydraulic mixing in the spray tank that keeps the pesticide uniformly suspended or dissolved so the applied mixture matches the intended concentration.

A person who has passed the required competency examinations and holds a valid state or tribal certification to use or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides.

Maintaining required written records of pesticide applications, such as product used, rate, date, location, and applicator, for the period required by regulation.

The required handling of empty pesticide containers, typically triple rinsing or pressure rinsing and then recycling or disposing of them according to label and state rules.

The planned procedure for containing, absorbing, and cleaning up a pesticide spill safely, including protecting people, keeping material from drains, and proper disposal of cleanup debris.

A mixture in which fine solid pesticide particles are dispersed but not dissolved in a liquid carrier, requiring agitation to keep particles evenly distributed.

Injury to desirable plants caused by a pesticide, appearing as leaf burn, distortion, or stunting, and often worsened by improper rate, formulation, or weather conditions.