Partial preview of the text
Download Virginia Registered Technician Core Manual – Complete Study Guide (Units 1–10) with Key Co and more Exams Advanced Education in PDF only on Docsity!
Virginia Registered Technician Core Manual — Complete Study Guide (Units 1-10) with Key Concepts & Practice Questions and answers NEW!!! 1.1.1 - What is the main purpose of the Virginia Core Manual?: to support the general safety training for all pesticide users; this will assist in becoming a competent pesticide manager 2. 1.2 - What State Law set the rules for Pesticide use in Virginia?: The Virginia Pesticide Control Act (VPCA) 3. 1.3 - What two state agencies are responsible for ensuring the safe use of pesticide in Virginia?: the two state agencies are: 1. The Virginia Pesticide Control Board 2. The Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services 4. 1.4 - What is the difference between a private applicator and a commercial applicator?: Private: Farmer using restricted-use pesticide to assist in agricultural production on private land Commercial: Pest control on job sites for the general public 5. 1.5 - What is the main difference between the four classes of commercial applicators?: 1. Pesticide Business for Hire (Termite Control, Lawn Care) 2. Pesticide Business NOT for Hire (Private Schools, indoors) 3. Government Employee for local, state, or federal agency 4. Inactive Applicator maintaining certification 6. 1.6 - How does a registered technician differ from a certified commercial applicator?: A registered technician may ONLY USE GENERAL-USE pesticides, unless under the supervision of the commercial applicator 7.1.7 - What sort of training is required of registered technicians?: at least 20 hours of instruction, self-study, and 20 hours of on-site training 8.1.8 - What sort of credentials do you need to apply to take a commercial applicator exam in Virginia?: One of the following: - a valid Virginia Registered Technician certificate (1yr) - valid commercial applicator certificate from another state similar to VA - proof of enough formal education, training, and experience to qualify for testing 9. 1.9 - What are the formats for the certification exams? Where are exams given?: Format: Paper & Pencil / Touchscreen computer (multiple choice) 17. 1.17 - How long must applicators or businesses keep records of RUP sales and of commercial applications of any pesticides?: Two years 18. 1.18 - An employee of a daycare center places ant baits in the lobby of the center and sprays for cockroaches. Does this employee need to be certified?: Yes. Person is a commercial applicator NOT for hire. A daycare is a sensitive area where pesticides must not be sprayed. 19. 1.19 - What is the difference between the limited certificate category (87) and the single product certification category (86) for private applicators.: LC = allows use of a single RUP for one identified specific purpose SPC = allows use of a single RUP in emergencies or special cases 20. 1.20 - In Virginia, who needs to be certified to use pesticides? Who does not?: Necessary: commercial pesticide users, private applicators, and users of RUP's Not Necessary: - General use users - Farm workers under private applicator supervision - Researchers - Doctors & Vets - Janitors - Painters using safe paints - TBT Boat Painters - Forest & weed control using herbicides - Homeowners using lawn and garden products 21. 1.21 - What is a commercial applicator of record? What are their duties?: - Commercial applicator makes pesticide recommendations for a fee; responsible for the safety of all pesticide applicators as well as the recommendations 22. 2.1 - Explain the differences between key pests, occasional pests, and secondary pests.: Key: nearly always present, always require regular control Occasional: migratory or cyclical, require some attention Secondary: only require control under certain conditions (eliminate, or absence) 23.2.2 - What should you do first if you observe damage to a plant, animal, or valuable product or commodity?: identify the cause 24. 2.3 - What should you do first if you discover a pest that may need to be controlled?: Make sure it is actually responsible for the damage or problem observed. Then accurately define the pest. 25. 2.4 - How can pest identification help you develop a good pest control strategy?: It allows you to determine basic information about the pest, including its life cycle, and when it is most susceptible to control measures. 26. 2.5 - Name at least 3 Virginia Tech facilities that can help you identify a pest and diagnose an infestation.: 1. The Weed ID & Plant Disease Clinic 2. The Nematode Assay Laboratory 3. The Insect Identification Laboratory 27.2.6 - Name 5 basic pest groups discussed in this unit.: - weeds - parasites & diseases - mollusks - arthropods - vertebrates 28. 2.7 - Why do weeds present such a challenge to pest managers?: Weeds are often hardy, aggressive, and tolerant in harsh conditions; they can reproduce and spread easily, and they steal sunlight, nutrients, and soil moisture 29. 2.8 - How can you tell a monocot from a dicot plant?: Monocot (grasses and seeds) - one seed leaf - parallel leaf veins - flower parts in multiples of three - fibrous roots Dicot (broad-leaves) - two seeded leaves - broad or narrow leaves - net like veins - flower parts in multiples of 4-5 - taproots 30. 2.9 - Why are perennial weeds usually harder to control than annual (bi- ennial) weeds?: Perennial weeds don't die after a 1-2 year cycle; they also have underground storage units for food and growth. 31.2.10 - Nam the pathogens that cause most plant and animal diseases.: - fungi Indoor vertebrate control centers on eradication of rodent pests. Outdoor vertebrate control centers on suppressing nuisance animals. 43. 2.22 - What is an economic threshold?: The level at which economic losses caused by pest damage (with continued growth) would be greater than the cost of controlling the pests. 44. 2.23 - How are these thresholds important to a sound pest control strate- gy?: Setting a treatment or action threshold is essential to prevent the pests in an area from causing unacceptable injury or harm. (ex. only 1 rat in a food processing facility) 45. 2.24 - What is monitoring? How is it important to a sound pest control strategy?: Regular checking/scouting for pests in a designated area. It will tell you which pests are present, quantity, and damage amount. Will help you determine if pests have reached the damage threshold. 46. 2.25 - What is the difference between prevention, suppression, and eradi- cation of pests?: Prevention: reducing the chances of an infestation Suppression: Reducing actual pest numbers or damage Eradication: destroying the entire pest population 47. 2.26 - How could you prevent a pest infestation?: Plant weed and dis- ease-free seed, choose plants resistant to diseases and insects, and practice good sanitation. Herbicide as well. 48. 2.27 - How does regulatory pest control differ from pest control at the local level?: Regulatory pest control manages wide-scale infestation and pests that cant be controlled at a local level. 49. 2.28 - Briefly describe integrated pest management (IPM).: Ecological ap- proach to pest control. Reduce pest populations to an acceptable level in a practical, safe, and cost-effective way. 50. 2.29 - Give several reasons to use IPM, instead of just a pesticide.: - ensure better treatment success - promote a balanced ecosystem - reduce pesticide resistance and outbreak - "use - more acceptable to the public 51. 2.30 - Name at least 5 basic steps in an effective IPM program.: 1. Identify pest & biology . Monitoring pest . Decide justification . Determine control goal . Know available control tactics . Evaluate benefits & risks of each tactic . Choose most effective strategy . Use each tactic correctly . Observe all applicable local, state, and federal regulations 10. Recording and evaluating the results 52. 2.31 - What is the difference between natural and applied controls?: Nat- ural: forces independent of human action, either helping or hindering pest control (climate, geography) Applied: human-engineered methods to control a pest (biological, cultural, chemical, mechanical, and physical control). 53. 2.32 - How do natural enemies help maintain a balanced ecosystem? What happens when there are no enemies to control an exotic pest?: Predatory arthropods and pathogens feed on pests species and suppress pest populations (balance). 54. 2.33 - Name 5 IPM elements discussed in this unit.: - Host resistance - biological control - mechanical/physical control - cultural control - chemical control 55. 2.34 - What is the main principle of host resistance?: The ability of a plant, animal, or structure to withstand pests. 56. 2.35 - What is biological control and its techniques?: The use of living organism to control pests (natural enemies, microbial pesticides, etc..). Release sterile males, use pheromones... 57. 2.36 - What is cultural control, and its components?: Changing the habitat where pests flourish (disrupt ideal pest conditions). Types are cultural practices and sanitation. 58. 2.37 - Name 6 cultural practices used to help manage agricultural pests.: 1. Pruning, thinning, fertilizing cultivated plants 2. Rotating crops 3. Tillage 4. Mulching OONMDaAKRWNY repeated exposure of a pesticide (some insects resistant to pesticide; therefore, they keep the population alive). 67. 2.46 - How can you slow downl/limit pesticide resistance?: 1. Rotate/com- bine pesticides with different modes of action 2. Use pesticides that target multiple sites in a pest 3. Use new/altered pesticides. 4. Treat alternate generations of pests. 5. Use non-chemical control methods where feasible 68. 2.47 - You applied a failed pesticide. Name 5 reasons why your efforts failed.: 1. Misidentified the pest 2. Applied at the wrong stage of the life cycle 3. Pest not in the area/region 4. Chose wrong pesticide, applied wrong amount 5. Applied incorrectly 6. Pest was resistant to pesticide 7. Pests developed after application 69. 2.48 - What questions should be answered before application?: 1. Problem caused by pest?? 2. What kind of pest?? 3. Posing a nuisance, damaging health?? 4. Chemical control necessary?? 5. Cost effective?? 6. Can control happen at this stage yet?? 70. 2.49 - Why is accurate record keeping important for a successful pro- gram?: Helps with evaluating results of IPM program. Observe methods, improve management 71.3.1 - Differences between “label” and "labeling”.: Label: info printed on the pesticide container Labeling: includes label itself, plus other information from manufacturer 72. 3.2 - What is the reregistration of a pesticide? What is its goal?: To identify and reduce risks, based on current scientific knowedge 73. 3.3 - What is ‘tolerance’, and why is it important?: Max amount of pesticide residue that may remain on foods and plants. Regulated by the EPA. 74. 3.4 - When and why might a pesticide product be registered for a special local need (SLN)?: For a regional crop, or a localized pest problem. Allows states to expand/limit use of registered pesticides within their jurisdictions 75. 3.5 - What is a federal registration? How do you know if you've bought a Sec(3) pesticide?: EPA-registered product with label approved by that agency. Have EPA registration number 76. 3.6 - TF: ALL Pesticide products must be registered with EPA. The agency labels ALL pesticides in the U.S.: False. EPA exempts pesticides with minimal risk. ALL pesticides must be registered with VDACS, as well as the people using them 77.3.7 - Under what conditions may a pesticide be labeled "minimum risk", and exempt from federal registration? How they differ from EPA labeled?: Pesticide must on a 'safe' list created by the EPA. Won't have EPA reg. number 78. 3.8 - Are ‘minimum risk’ products exempt from Virginia's state registration requirements?: No. ALL pesticides sold in the state must be VDACS registered. 79. 3.9 - What are emergency (18) exemptions. List 4 types.: Responses to pest problem, though, no registered product. Include: 1. Specific 2. Quarantine 3. Public Health 4. Crisis 80. 3.10 - What do the words ‘restricted use pesticide’ tell about a product.: - RUP's require special handling and care. - Limit usage - Only for sale to certified applicators - Only handled by certified applicators and RegTechs 81. 3.11 - Where would you look to find whether a pesticide is classified as "RU'?: In box, front panel of label. 'Restricted Use’ should appear if true. 82. 3.12 - Difference between chemical name, common name, brand name. Which term is most accurate for identification?: Chemical Name: complex ter- minology, identifying chemical components and structure of pesticide Common Name: shorter name that is recognizable by the EPA Brand Name: identified by the chemical company as a pesticide product 83. 3.13 - What problems arise from choosing a pesticide by its brand or trade name alone?: - if active ingredient is not patented, may be sold by several companies 11/33 93. 3.23 - When and why might you use a Material Safety Data sheet (MSDS) for a pesticide product?: To get technical information about the environmental and human health effects of a pesticide product. 94. 3.24 - Which document has authority in specifying PPE requirements; product label, or MSDS? Why?: Product label. They differ in MSDS requirements, user must follow label. 95. 3.25 - What is the product's brand name, EPA reg. number, and EPA est. number?: Brand Name: X-Pest-EC EPA Reg. Number: 991-015 EPA Est. Number: 991-VA-001 96. 3.26 - What kind of class is it? Common chemical name of A.I.? How much A.l.? Inert ingredients?: - Pesticide - First Aid says ‘pyrethroid insecticide’ - CCN: alphabetamethrin (23.5%) - 76.5% inert 97. 3.27 - Does this product name tell any use property information?: Yes. EC: emulsifiable concentrate Letters and numbers refer to types 98. 3.28 - Is this a (3) federal label or a (24) SLN label?: (3). No indication of a 24(c) on front panel. Not for regional crops. 99. 3.29 - Is X-Pest-EC classified as a "RUP'?: No; not on the front label. Does't say ‘only for commercial applicators’ or reference ‘certification’. 100. 3.30 - What company makes X-Pest-EC? Where is the firm located? Contact?: PestChemCo. Environmental hazard labels provide emergency contact information. 101. 3.31 - Is this product ready-to-use? How is it applied?: No. Contents indi- cate liquid concentrate. Says to mix with water, provides mixing proportions. 102. 3.32 - When visiting agricultural retail, you see 2%, ready-to-use, granu- lar prouct w/ alphabetamethrin (turf-only). Can you purchase for ornamental plants and nursery containers?: No. Directions specify use. 103. 3.33 - Can you legally use X-Pest-EC on a home vegetable garden?: No. The directions specify usage. 104. 3.34 - What hazard rating would you give this product, based on provided information?: Moderate: - WARNING - concentration is >10%, <50% - not RUP - extra clothing necessary - treatment interval of a week - engineering controls section 105. 3.35 - Physical/chemical hazards posed to handler?: - skin & eye irritation - flammable 106. 3.36 - Personal protective equipment required for mixers and appliers?: - long sleeves - pants - shoes - eyewear - gloves - apron 107. 3.37 - What PPE is required for applicators?: - long sleeves - long pants - shoes - socks 108. 3.38 - What PPE is required for repairs, cleaning, or calibrating spray equipment?: - long sleeves - pants - shoes - socks 109. 3.39 - What PPE required for production nursery employees entering a 12-hour treated field?: - coveralls - chemical resistant gloves, shoes, socks 110. 3.40 - What is the restricted-entry interval for this product?: 12 hours 111. 3.41 - Does the REI apply to those hiring landscapers who treat beds, or visitors of landscaped areas?: No 112. 3.42 - As an applicator of X-Pest-EC, how long should you keep people from walking through treated areas?: Until solution is dried up 113. 3.43 - You want to spot treat azaleas. 2 gallons necessary, how much should you fill with?: Review oz/gal. 114. 3.44 - You want to treat an ornamental bed measuring 10x50 ft. How much spray?: Review oz/sqft and oz/gal. 126. 3.56 - Label provide storage information?: Yes. Don't allow product to freeze, or be above 112 F. Store in a secure, well-ventilated area. Keep away from flames. 127. 3.57 - Does label provide harm-preventing information?: Yes. First-aid sec- tions lists specific instructions for different types of exposure. 128. 3.58 - Does label state any restrictions on land use, crop rotating, grazing, or composting on treated land?: No. Review precautions, use common sense. 129. 3.59 - Are there requirements X-Pest-EC users must follow that aren't on label? If so, to whom do they apply? Documentation?: Yes. Protect other workers and handlers. Documentation includes: ‘How to Comply with the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides: What Employers Need to Know 130. 4.1 - What is a pesticide formulation?: Mixture of active and inert ingredients (may contain adjuvants, stabilizers, dyes, etc..) 131. 4.2 - Difference between active & inert?: Active: chemicals controlling pests Inert: chemicals diluting solution, making safe and effective 132. 4.3 - Why are pesticide Al formulated into end-use products before sale?- : Makes them safer, more convenient. Initially extremely toxic, don't blend well, etc.. 133. 4.4 - Types of factors to consider when choosing formulations?: - neces- sary application equipment? - safe formulation? - reach the target efficiently? - surface harm? - which one is the most effective? - least hazardous? 134. 4.5 - Term that describes mix formed by dispersing solid particles ina liquid?: Suspension. Typically don't allow light to pass through (opaque). 135. 4.6 - Term describing mix made by suspending droplets of one liquid onto another?: Emulsion (EC). Retains properties, milky appearance. 136. 4.7 - Difference between solution and suspension? How can you visually tell? Why is that important?: Solution: dissolve substance in liquid; can't be sepa- rated by mechanical means Suspension: dispersing solid particles in liquid; agitated to keep particle distribution 137. 4.8 - Granular vs Wettable Powders?: Granular: - low drift - not sticky Wettable Powder: - high drift - sticky 138. 4.9 - Wettable Powder vs Emulsifiable Concentrate?: Wettable Powder: - not corrosive - difficult to mix Emulsifiable Concentrate: - corrosive - damages treated surfaces - easy to mix 139. 4.10 - Advantage & Disadvantage of ECs?: Advantages: - easy to handle, transport, and store - little agitation required - not abrasive - doesn't plug nozzles - little residue Disadvantages: - high concentrations - easily absorbed by skin - difficult cleanup - strong odor - discoloration and equipment wear - flammability 140. 4.11 - General term for formulation sold as an end-use dilution?: - Ready-to-use (RTU) 141. 4.12 - Advantage & Disadvantage of RTU's?: Advantage: - convenience - prepackaged - less personal exposure Disadvantage: - limited availability - potentially hard to calibrate - difficult to evenly distribute 147. 4.18 - Advantage & Disadvantage of Granule (G) and Pellet (P) formula- tions?: Advantage: - RTU - low drift and applicator hazard - breaks down slowly Disadvantage: - frequent calibration - difficult to distribute evenly - granules don't stick - may need soil incorporation - low Al/volume 148. 4.19 - Which dry formulation consists of particles that are more or less in uniform size, shape, and weight?: Pellets (P) 149. 4.20 - Wettable powders are widely used pesticide formulations. Why?: - effective - excellent residual activity - easily stored, transported, handled - not phytotoxic - pose less health risks 150. 4.21 - Disadvantages of Wettable Powders (WP)?: - not easy to measure - not easy to mix - inhalation hazard - requires vigorous agitation - abrasive to pumps and pipes 151. 4.22 - Term for compressed wettable powder formulation (granule-sized particles): Dry flowable (DF) or water-dispersible granule (WDG) 152. 4.23 - Term for Al formulated with food or another attractive substance?- : Bait 153. 4.24 - What are fumigants? Why do dangerous?: Form poisonous gasses when applied. They are highly toxic to humans. 154. 4.25 - Name and describe 4 engineering controls or packaging methods that reduce handler exposure.: 1. Micro encapsulated pesticides (liquid droplets encased by coating) 2. Water-soluble packaging (specific plastic film) 3. RTU's (contain Al) 4. Animal systemics 155. 4.26 - Based on exposure risks, which is more necessary for PPE?: Load- ing/filling granular application equipment (low need for PPE) Mixing/diluting liquid concentrate, filling a sprayer (high need for PPE) 156. 4.27 - Why must pesticides be compatible if they are tank mixed?: Incom- patible mix may be unsafe, unusable, or ineffective. 157. 4.28 - Difference between physical and chemical incompatibility? Signs and consequences?: Physical: - pertains to physical properties - size, shape, state - layering or separation Chemical: - new chemical formation - heat, color change - gas/precipitate formation 158. 4.29 - Describe how to determine if two pesticides may be tank mixed safely.: - Read product labels (compatibility) - Otherwise, jar testing (small vs large) 159. 4.30 - When and why would you need to do a jar test?: When you need to test the compatibility between two chemicals, but don't want to on a large scale. 160. 4.31 - What concentration of Al would you expect to find in the following products: - Alpha 40 WP - Beta 80 DF - Gamma 5G 2: 1.40% Al 2.80% Al 3.5% Al 161. 4.32 - Which product would you expect to contain 4lb Al/gallon? XX 4F or YY 3A?: XX 4F. 4F means 4 lb/gal. 
