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

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.

Yellow jackets are social wasps that typically nest in the ground, often in abandoned rodent burrows or other cavities. They live in colonies with a queen and workers, as described in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Wasps). Option B (social bee) is incorrect, as yellow jackets are wasps, not bees, and they do not typically nest in trees. Option C (solitary wasp) is incorrect, as yellow jackets are social. Option D (ant with wings) is incorrect, as yellow jackets are distinct from ants.

Lice infestations (e.g., head lice) are a public health concern and are best treated by a doctor or public health official using FDA-approved pediculicides or non-chemical methods like combing. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Lice) notes that lice treatments are typically medical, not structural pest control, and fall outside the scope of Category 7A applicators. Option B (residual pesticide treatment) is not appropriate for lice on humans. Option C (heat treatment) may be used for items like bedding but not directly for lice infestations on people.

According to NJDEP regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:30-9.10), a pesticide applicator business service vehicle must display the business license/registration number on two sides of the vehicle. This ensures the vehicle can be identified as belonging to a licensed pesticide applicator business. Option A (commercial pesticide applicator license number) is incorrect because the individual applicator’s license number is not required on the vehicle. Option B (owner’s name) is also not a requirement under New Jersey law.

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.

The TEMPRID SC label and theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Bedbugs) recommend that for interior bedbug applications, applicators should reapply every 7-10 days until the infestation is eliminated. This is because bedbugs have a life cycle where eggs hatch over time, and multiple treatments are needed to target newly emerged nymphs. Option A (high-pressure system with a fan nozzle) is incorrect, as high-pressure systems can disperse bedbugs and are not suitable for indoor applications; low-pressure, targeted applications (e.g., crack-and-crevice) are preferred. Option B (apply to flat surfaces with prolonged human contact) is incorrect, as the TEMPRID label prohibits application to surfaces like mattresses or furniture where prolonged contact occurs, to avoid human exposure.

Pests like roaches, ants, or bedbugs tend to concentrate in specific areas where conditions are favorable, such as kitchens (food sources), bathrooms (moisture), or bedrooms (for bedbugs). TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Pest Behavior) explains that infestations are focused on specific areas based on pest biology and environmental factors. Option A (uniformly distributed) is incorrect, as pests do not spread evenly. Option B (restrained to entryways) is too limited, as infestations often occur deeper inside structures.

In New Jersey, a commercial pesticide applicator is defined as anyone applying pesticides as a service, whether for hire or as part of their job (N.J.A.C. 7:30-1.2). This includes both general use and restricted use pesticides (RUPs). A Category 7A applicator must be licensed to apply any pesticide, as their work may involve both types depending on the pest and situation. Option A is incorrect because it excludes RUPs, which applicators may need to use. Option B is incorrect because it excludes general use pesticides, which are commonly used in household pest control.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) focuses on sustainable pest control by minimizing pesticide use and integrating multiple control methods (e.g., cultural, mechanical, biological). TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 4: IPM) highlights that IPM aims for a reduction of pesticide use through prevention and non-chemical methods. Option A (pre-established applications) contradicts IPM’s reactive, need-based approach. Option B (one-time reactive applications) may be part of IPM but does not capture its broader goal of reducing pesticide reliance.

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.

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.

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.

The TEMPRID SC label explicitly states that applicators should not spray bed linens or other materials that come in direct contact with people, such as mattresses, pillows, or clothing, to prevent human exposure to the pesticide. This is a critical safety instruction for indoor use in Category 7A applications. Option A (broadcast treatment to floors) is incorrect, as TEMPRID is typically applied as a spot or crack-and-crevice treatment indoors, not a broadcast application, unless specified. Option C (high-pressure system) is incorrect, as high-pressure systems can disperse pests like bedbugs and are not recommended for indoor use; low-pressure, targeted applications are preferred.

House flies are best controlled through good sanitation practices, such as removing garbage, cleaning spills, and sealing food sources, which eliminates breeding sites and attractants. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Flies) emphasizes sanitation as the primary control method. Option A (perimeter band control) may be used for other pests but is less effective for house flies indoors. Option C (insect repellent) is not a standard method for fly control in structures.

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.

Carbamate and pyrethroid pesticides are both classes of insecticides that act as nerve poisons. They target the nervous system of pests, disrupting nerve function and leading to paralysis and death. Carbamates inhibit cholinesterase enzymes, while pyrethroids affect sodium channels in nerve cells. This is detailed in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 6: Pesticide Types). Option A (stomach/digestive poisons) is incorrect, as these pesticides primarily act through contact or inhalation, not ingestion. Option B (nonpoisonous) is incorrect, as both are toxic to pests and potentially harmful to humans if mishandled.

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 EPA approves pesticide labels under FIFRA, setting federal standards for use. However, states like New Jersey have the authority to impose stricter regulations if needed to protect local environments or public health. According to NJDEP Pesticide Control Program guidelines, the state can add restrictions, such as limiting application rates, requiring additional safety measures, or restricting use in certain areas (e.g., near schools or water bodies). Option A is incorrect because states can impose additional rules. Option B is incorrect because states cannot expand uses or increase rates beyond the EPA-approved label without a special local need (SLN) registration under Section 24(c) of FIFRA, which is not the same as a general modification. Option C aligns with New Jersey’s authority to enforce stricter standards.

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.

Cockroaches undergo gradual metamorphosis, which includes three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Nymphs hatch from eggs and resemble smaller, wingless adults, molting several times before reaching maturity. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Cockroaches) confirms this life cycle for common species like the German cockroach. Option B (complete metamorphosis) applies to insects like flies or beetles. Option C (total metamorphosis) is not a recognized term and is incorrect.

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).