Massachusetts Pesticide course core
manual 1-3
Define Pest and Give Examples - ANSAny living thing that has an undesirable impact on
something important to us. Baker= bad bacteria, Farmer=Japanese beetle., ect. We are not
worried about what a pest is but what it does
Define Pesticide and Give Examples - ANSAny substance or mixture of substances used to kill
pests or to prevent/reduce the damage a pest causes. Ex. Pheromone trap, Round Up,
Integrated Pest Management IPM - ANSCombines all available necessary techniques (pesticide
and pest control devices) in a unified program with the goal of managing pest populations in a
way that avoids pest damage and minimizes adverse effects. Pesticide during vegetative growth
and net to protect fruit at maturity.
Define Pesticide Use - ANSApplication, transport, storage, mixing, cleaning of pesticide
equipment, disposal and pesticide containers.Anyone doing any of these activities is using a
pesticide. Use may also refer to where and how a pesticide can be applied
Define Site - ANSParticular entity to which a pesticide is or could be applied.Ex. on turf in
backyard.The particular plant in the garden.
Define Label - ANSInformation about the product and its use that is printed on or attached to the
pesticide container at the time of purchase.
Define Labeling - ANSThe label itself plus all other information, ex. Brochures, Regulatory
manuals, ect.
Define labeled - ANSThe use is listed on and allowed by the pesticide product label. Can also
be used to describe a labeled container.
Distinguish between a pesticide product and a pest control device - ANSA pesticide contains a
substance used to control the pest, whereas pest control devices rely on purely physical or
mechanical control and no substance.
Explain two reasons why you need to follow directions on the label and in other labeling - ANS1.
The label helps you determine the directions for using the pesticide, who can use it, what
restrictions are in place, the name of the active ingredient and safety/first aid measures.
2. It is illegal to violate the directions on the label and can present serious health damage if used
improperly.
, List and give examples of the general types of problems pests cause - ANSStructural damage--
Termites weaken buildings.
Property damage-- Mice can gnaw away home insulation for their nest.
Food concerns-- Wild boars can dig up potatoes, Japanese beetles on soybean crops. Weeds
out compete food crops, limiting yields.
Health Risks -- Mosquitos can spread west nile, houseflies contaminate food, noxious weeds
can cause respiratory issues
Risks to environment-- Chestnut blight, gypsy moth, invasive grape/ kudzu
Reduced Aesthetics-- defoliation of trees is ugly and can reduce property value
Impaired function of things we use-- Tree roots can clog septic drains, plants can block visibility.
List the four basic survival needs which bring pests into conflict with people - ANSFood: Our
food, glue, wood, wool ect.
Water: Insects found near plumbing, tree roots in pipes
Shelter: Mice in the garage, wood ants, wasps, ect.
Breeding sites: House fly larvae in garbage, bats in the attic.
Give examples of pest types within each of the 4 main groups of pests. - ANSVertebrate: mouse
in attic
Invertebrate: Insects, cricket finding shelter in your room.
Plants: Black locust pulling up trails
Microorganisms: Moldy food in the closet
For each type of pest discussed in the chapter
Describe its general physical characteristics and Give examples of damage it can cause -
ANSVertebrates: Rodents, birds, and fish that can be agricultural pests, cause damage to
infrastructure or invade our homes.
Invertebrates: Animals without backbones, insects have 3 pairs of jointed legs while adult
spiders, ticks, centipedes and milipedes have more than six legs. They can be distinguished by
their mouth parts, shape and position of their antennae, shape of thorax structures and shape of
abdomen structures. Some undergo various forms of metamorphosis
Plants: Herbaceous weeds do not produce woody tissue and topgrowth dies back each year.
These include grasses (monocot) and broadleaf plants (dicot). Grasses grow from bottom up
while broadleaf grow from the top. Can reduce crop yields and contaminate harvest seed.
Woody weeds are perennial and can spread through rhizomes.
Microorganisms : the smallest pests, fungi are the most common kind of plant disease and can
produce toxins that harm plants. Reproduce by spores. Bacteria can cause blight and legionaris
disease. Can spread by insect, infested soil, organic matter and even pruning tools. Viruses can
spread through feces, nematodes and insect mouth parts.
Describe the different mouth parts of insects - ANSChewing- Bite and tear food- beetles,
cockroaches, ants, grasshoppers - eat plants, tunnel and holes in fabric