Category-7A-General-and-Household-Pest-Control Pesticide Applicator Category 7A General and Household Pest Control Exam Questions and Answers

Pesticide resistance occurs when pests develop tolerance to a pesticide due to overuse. IPM strategies, as outlined in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 4: IPM), recommend using multiple components (e.g., rotating pesticide classes, incorporating non-chemical methods like sanitation or traps) to control pests and reduce resistance risk. Option A (routine spraying) increases resistance by overexposing pests to the same chemical. Option C (increased dosage) can exacerbate resistance and is not an IPM practice.

Applying pesticides for roaches or flies inside a school building falls under Category 7A (General and Household Pest Control), which covers the management of pests like roaches, flies, and other household insects in structures, including schools. Additionally, because the application is in a school, Category 13 (School IPM) certification is required in New Jersey to comply with the School Integrated Pest Management Act (N.J.A.C. 7:30-13). Category 13 ensures applicators follow specific IPM protocols and notification requirements in educational settings. Option A (3B or 7B) is incorrect because 3B is for turf pest control, and 7B is for termites/wood-destroying insects, neither of which apply to roaches or flies. Option B (3A and 3B) involves ornamental and turf pest control, which is irrelevant here. Option D (7B) is also incorrect as it does not cover general pests like roaches or flies.

The pesticide label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) are the primary sources of information about a pesticide, providing details on its use, hazards, and safety precautions. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 2: Pesticide Labels) emphasizes that the first step in obtaining information is to read the label and/or SDS sheet. Option A (contact the EPA) is unnecessary for routine information, as the label/SDS is readily available. Option C (call your doctor) is relevant for medical emergencies, not general information.

Itch mites (e.g., scabies) and follicle mites (e.g., Demodex) affect humans and are medical concerns, not structural pest issues. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Mites) advises that diagnosis and control should be done by a physician, as these mites require medical treatment (e.g., prescription creams). Option A (are poisonous) is incorrect, as they are not poisonous but cause irritation. Option C (residual pesticides) is not appropriate, as these are human parasites, not structural pests.

TEMPRID SC contains two active ingredients: imidacloprid and beta-cyfluthrin. Imidacloprid acts as a systemic insecticide, being absorbed by the pest and affecting its nervous system over time, while beta-cyfluthrin acts as a contact insecticide, killing pests on direct exposure by disrupting nerve function. The TEMPRID SC label and theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 6: Pesticide Types) describe these dual modes of action, which make TEMPRID effective against a wide range of pests. Option B (combined neurotoxin only) is partially correct but does not specify the contact and systemic nature. Option C (mist or foam) refers to application methods, not modes of action.

NJDEP requires commercial pesticide applicators to recertify every five years. For Category 7A applicators, this involves earning 8 credits in Core (general pesticide safety and regulations) and 16 credits in each category (e.g., 7A) within that five-year period (N.J.A.C. 7:30-6.4). Option A is incorrect because the category credits are 16, not 24, and the timeframe is five years, not three. Option B (80 dollars per year) is irrelevant to recertification credits, though there may be fees for licensing.

The Consumer Information Notice, required by NJDEP (N.J.A.C. 7:30-9.13), must include the applicator business name, address, and phone number to provide residents with contact information for inquiries or concerns. Option A (applicator’s license number) is not required on the notice, though the business license number may be included. Option B (business license number) is not a mandatory element of the notice, though it may be displayed on the vehicle.

Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are social rodents that live in colonies with a hierarchical structure, often nesting in burrows or building basements. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 8: Rodents) describes their colonial behavior. Option A (white-footed mouse) and Option B (house mouse) are more solitary or live in smaller family groups, not large colonies.

For single-family residences, NJDEP regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:30-9.13) require written notification to include the exact date of application to inform residents of when the treatment will occur. Option B (full pesticide label directions) is not required in the notification, though the label must be followed. Option C (name of the pesticide) is typically included in post-application notices but is not mandatory in the pre-application written notification.

Non-powered particulate filters are classified by NIOSH with letters indicating oil resistance: N (not resistant to oil), R (resistant to oil), and P (oil-proof, most resistant to oil degradation). TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 3: Pesticide Safety) explains that P filters offer the highest resistance to oil degradation, making them suitable for environments where oil-based aerosols may be present. Option A (N) offers no oil resistance, and Option C (R) offers moderate resistance but not as much as P.

The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), also known as the deer tick, is the primary vector forLyme disease in New Jersey. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Ticks) identifies this species as the main transmitter in the northeastern U.S. Option A (dog tick) transmits other diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Option B (lone star tick) is associated with other illnesses, not Lyme disease.

Norway rats require a daily water source to survive, often living near water or in areas with high moisture. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 8: Rodents) notes this as a key characteristic, making water sources a target for control. Option B (house mouse) and Option C (deer mouse) can survive on moisture from food and do not require a daily water source.

The TEMPRID SC label defines perimeter spraying for outdoor applications as treating two to three feet up the walls of a structure and a band up to 10 feet wide along the ground surrounding the structure. This ensures coverage of areas where pests like earwigs or ticks may enter or harbor. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application) aligns with this standard for perimeter treatments. Option A (one foot up and one foot along) is too limited and not per the label. Option C (prohibiting wall spraying) is incorrect, as the label explicitly allows wall spraying up to 2-3 feet.

NJDEP regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:30-6.8) require commercial pesticide applicators to maintain application records for a minimum of three years. These records must include details like the date, location, pesticide used, amount applied, and target pest. This applies to Category 7A applications for general and household pest control. Option A (five years) is incorrect, though some states may have longer requirements. Option C (two years) is too short for New Jersey standards.

Bait stations are effective for controlling pests like roaches or rodents when placed in areas where pests are active, such as near food sources or nesting sites. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application) emphasizes that placement is critical for success, as improper placement reduces pest contact with the bait. Option A (harborage) refers to pest hiding spots, not bait station use. Option B (application as a dab) applies to gel baits, not bait stations.

TEMPRID SC’s efficacy is not affected by heat treatments, as its active ingredients (imidacloprid and beta-cyfluthrin) remain stable under high temperatures used in bedbug heat treatments. The TEMPRID SC label and theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Bedbugs) confirm that TEMPRID can be applied before heat treatments as part of an integrated approach, as heat drives bedbugs out of hiding, increasing their contact with the pesticide. Option A (cannot be made prior to heat treatments) is incorrect, as the label allows this. Option B (efficacy affected by heat) is incorrect, as TEMPRID’s performance is not diminished by heat.

Power sprayers are designed for high-volume applications over large areas, such as exterior perimeter and lawn applications (Option B) or termite applications (Option C), where large amounts of pesticide are needed. However, they are not suitable for interior house ant and roach applications (Option A), as these require precise, low-volume treatments (e.g., crack-and-crevice applications) using handheld sprayers, as noted in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application).

Chronic toxicity refers to the adverse effects of long-term, repeated exposure to a pesticide, which is a significant concern for applicators who handle pesticides regularly. This can lead to health issues like cancer, neurological disorders, or reproductive problems, as noted in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 3: Pesticide Safety). Option B (acute toxicity) refers to effects from a single, high-dose exposure, which is less relevant to repeated use. Option C (periodic) is not a recognized term in toxicology.

Acute toxicity refers to the adverse effects resulting from a single, short-term exposure to a pesticide, such as during an application. This can cause immediate symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or skin irritation, as explained in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 3: Pesticide Safety). Option A (chronic toxicity) involves long-term exposure. Option C (systemic toxicity) refers to effects on the entire body but is not specific to one-time exposure.

NJDEP regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:30-9.13) require that the specific date of pesticide application at multi-family residences be provided if requested by tenants and/or the contracting party (e.g., property manager). This ensures transparency for those directly affected by the application. Option A (contracting party only) is too restrictive, as tenants have a right to know. Option C (OPRA) refers to the Open Public Records Act, which is not relevant to this specific notification requirement.

Ants are identified by their elbowed antennae, which bend at an angle, and a narrow, pinched waist. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Ants) lists this as a key characteristic. Option B (wings of equal length) applies to termites, not ants (ant wings are unequal in length). Option C (no waist) also describes termites, not ants.