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

Cultural controls in IPM involve modifying the environment to make it less favorable for pests. Garbage elimination is a cultural control because it removes food sources that attract pests like roaches or flies, as noted in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 4: IPM). Option A (caulking) is a mechanical control, as it physically blocks pest entry. Option B (threshold numbers elevation) refers to monitoring, not a cultural practice.

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.

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.

The NJDEP Pesticide Control Program provides a hotline for reporting pesticide spills or emergencies: 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337). This number is used to report incidents like soil contamination from a pesticide spill, ensuring proper response and mitigation. Option A (1-800-CALLDEP) is not the correct hotline number. Option C (911) is for immediate life-threatening emergencies, not specific pesticide spill reporting, though it may be used in extreme cases.

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is the most common cockroach found in buildings, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms, due to its preference for warm, humid environments and rapid reproduction. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Cockroaches) identifies the German cockroach as the most prevalent indoor species in the U.S., including New Jersey. Option A (American cockroach) is larger and more common in sewers or basements. Option B (Brown-banded cockroach) is less common and prefers drier areas.

Swarming termites and ants can be distinguished by physical characteristics. Termites do not have a waist, as their body is broad and straight, while ants have a narrow, pinched waist. Additionally, termites have straight antennae, whereas ants have bent (elbowed) antennae. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Termites vs. Ants) highlights these differences. Option A (bent antennae) applies to ants, not termites. Option C (narrow waist) also describes ants, not termites.

NJDEP regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:30-9.10) require that pesticide service vehicles have a storage area for pesticides that is physically separate from the driver or passenger compartment to prevent exposure in case of spills or leaks. This is a safety measure to protect the driver and ensure compliance with transportation regulations. Option B is incorrect because, while the business registration number is required on the vehicle (see Question 8), the applicator’s license number is not. Option C is incorrect because, although having Safety Data Sheets (SDS, formerly MSDS) on board is a best practice, it is not a strict requirement under NewJersey law for service vehicles; SDS sheets must be available at the business location or application site.

Under the New Jersey School IPM Act (N.J.A.C. 7:30-13), commercial pesticide applicators in schools (Category 7A and 13) are required to inform students and personnel of pesticide applications, including providing advance notice and posting signs. This ensures safety and compliance with school IPM regulations. Option B (onsite supervisory personnel) is not a specific requirement for school applications. Option C (superintendent as liaison) is incorrect; the applicator or IPM coordinator typically handles notifications.

The TEMPRID SC label specifies that the re-entry interval for treated areas is to wait until the treated area is dry, typically 1-2 hours under normal conditions, unless otherwise specified for specific uses. This ensures that the pesticide has settled and there is no risk of exposure to wet residues. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application) aligns with this guidance for most indoor applications. Option A (24 hours) and Option C (12 hours) are incorrect, as they exceed the label’s re-entry requirement unless specified for a specific situation (e.g., in schools, where additional restrictions may apply).

Only the adult stage of a flea feeds on blood, typically from a host like a pet or human. Flea larvae feed on organic debris and flea feces (dried blood), not directly on blood. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Fleas) details this life cycle. Option B (adult and larva) is incorrect, as larvae do not feed on blood. Option C (egg and larva) is incorrect, as eggs are non-feeding, and larvae do not consume blood.

Power sprayers must be calibrated to ensure the correct amount of pesticide is applied, as application rates can vary due to wear, nozzle changes, or pressure adjustments. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application) stresses that applicators should check calibration regularly to ensure accuracy, especially for Category 7A applications. Option A is incorrect because factory calibration does not account for field conditions or equipment changes. Option C (annual calibration) is a good practice but not a strict requirement; the need for calibration depends on usage and equipment condition.

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.

The black widow (Latrodectus mactans) is the most common poisonous spider in New Jersey, known for its neurotoxic venom. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Spiders) notes that black widows are more prevalent in the state, often found in dark, sheltered areas. Option A (orb weaver) is not venomous to humans. Option C (brown recluse) is rare in New Jersey, with few confirmed sightings, and is more common in the Midwest.

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.

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 cracks and crevices, a handheld compressed air sprayer is recommended because it allows precise application of pesticide into small, hard-to-reach areas where pests like roaches orants hide. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application) notes that these sprayers are ideal for targeted treatments in household pest control. Option B (cold fogger) and Option C (thermal fogger) are used for larger areas or space treatments, not precise crack-and-crevice applications.

Back siphonage occurs when pesticide solution is drawn back into the water supply during application, posing a contamination risk. NJDEP regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:30-9.11) mandate the use of check valves or anti-siphon devices to prevent this, making it a legal requirement in New Jersey. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application) also emphasizes this as a standard safety practice. Option A understates the requirement, and Option B is incorrect because it is necessary and legally mandated.

TEMPRID SC (a common pesticide for Category 7A) is labeled for outdoor tick control. The label specifies a rate of 0.54 fl. oz. per 1000 sq. ft. for outdoor perimeter applications, which aligns with theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application) for tick control. Option A is incorrect because Category 7A does cover outdoor tick treatments adjacent to structures (see Question 63). Option B (0.075% per 1000 sq. ft.) refers to a concentration rate for indoor applications, not the volume rate for outdoor use.

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.

The TC designation is assigned by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to classify respirators. TC-23 designates chemical cartridge respirators, which are used to protect against specific gases and vapors, as specified on pesticide labels for Category7A applications. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 3: Pesticide Safety) notes that TC-23 respirators are commonly required for pesticide applications involving volatile chemicals. Option A (TC-84) refers to particulate respirators (e.g., N95 masks). Option C (TC-19) is not a valid designation for pesticide use.