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South Dakota Pesticide Applicator practice exam with correct
answers bolded and rationales in italics ,
based on the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) Pesticide Applicator core manual guidelines.
- What is the primary goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)? a. To eradicate all pests b. To eliminate pesticide use c. To manage pest populations below damaging levels d. To use the most potent chemical available IPM focuses on maintaining pest populations at acceptable levels using a combination of techniques.
- Which federal law governs the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides in the U.S.? a. FIFSA b. FIFRA c. EPA Act d. Clean Air Act FIFRA stands for the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
- The signal word "Danger-Poison" with a skull and crossbones indicates what level of toxicity? a. Slight b. Moderate
c. Highly toxic d. Non-toxic "Danger-Poison" is used for products that are highly toxic via any route of exposure.
- Which part of the pesticide label provides first aid instructions? a. Precautionary Statements b. Storage and Disposal c. Statement of Practical Treatment d. Active Ingredients This section gives emergency measures for accidental exposure.
- Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) can be purchased and applied only by: a. Anyone over 18 b. Certified private applicators only c. Certified applicators or those under their supervision d. Commercial dealers only RUPs are limited to certified applicators to ensure safe handling.
- What does PPE stand for in pesticide safety? a. Proper Pesticide Exposure b. Professional Protection Equipment c. Personal Protective Equipment d. Pest Protection Ensemble PPE includes gloves, goggles, respirators, and coveralls.
- Which pesticide formulation is most prone to drift? a. Granules
11.What does LD50 refer to in pesticide toxicology? a. Dose that kills 50% of test animals b. Dose needed to sterilize equipment c. Dose that affects liver function d. Dose that kills all insects in 50 minutes LD50 helps classify acute toxicity of chemicals. 12.Which of the following is considered a non-point source of pesticide contamination? a. Spillage at a mixing site b. Runoff from treated fields c. Leaking storage tank d. Broken sprayer hose Non-point sources are diffuse and widespread. 13.Which soil condition increases the chance of pesticide leaching? a. High clay content b. Dry, compacted soils c. Sandy soils with high water table d. Frozen soils Sandy soils allow chemicals to move more quickly through the profile. 14.The term “pre-harvest interval” (PHI) refers to: a. Time needed before storing produce b. Time between pesticide application and harvest c. Time between planting and spraying
d. Time to wash harvested crops PHI ensures residues degrade before consumption. 15.Which part of the body absorbs pesticides most quickly? a. Palms b. Scalp and groin c. Soles of feet d. Forearms These areas have thinner skin and better blood supply, increasing absorption. 16.What should you do with leftover spray mixture? a. Dump it in a ditch b. Save it indefinitely c. Apply it to a labeled site d. Pour it in a septic tank Label-approved application is the only legal and safe method. 17.What is a drift retardant? a. An additive to reduce pesticide droplet drift b. A pesticide thickener c. A chemical to speed evaporation d. A growth regulator Drift retardants reduce the formation of fine droplets. 18.What does “systemic pesticide” mean? a. It remains on the surface
22.What is the most common route of pesticide exposure? a. Dermal (skin) b. Oral c. Inhalation d. Injection Most exposures occur through skin contact. 23.What does a skull and crossbones symbol indicate on a label? a. Non-toxic b. Highly toxic product c. Slight irritant d. Flammable This symbol is a warning of acute toxicity. 24.What is a buffer zone in pesticide application? a. Area left unsprayed to protect sensitive sites b. Sprayed twice c. Where PPE isn't needed d. A crop-free zone Buffer zones help protect water bodies and other sensitive areas. 25.A pesticide’s mode of action describes: a. Its appearance b. How it affects the pest c. The weather needed d. Its shelf life Mode of action is how the pesticide disrupts a pest’s biology.
26.What PPE should always be worn when handling pesticides? a. Hat and sunglasses b. Apron c. Gloves, goggles, and coveralls d. Cotton t-shirt Basic PPE minimizes exposure during mixing and application. 27.What is chemigation? a. Spraying pesticides from a drone b. Applying pesticides through irrigation systems c. Mixing chemicals manually d. Applying pesticides to machinery Chemigation delivers pesticides via water systems. 28.Who enforces pesticide laws in South Dakota? a. USDA b. South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) c. OSHA d. EPA only DANR administers enforcement and certification. 29.The best way to store pesticides is: a. Near food b. Under a tarp c. In original containers with labels, locked up
c. Windless days d. Cloudy conditions Heat and low humidity promote evaporation into gas form. 34.What is the main purpose of calibration? a. To clean the sprayer b. To increase chemical use c. To ensure correct application rate d. To reduce workload Calibration ensures the target receives the intended dose. 35.Pesticides should never be mixed or loaded near: a. Water sources b. Trees c. Animals d. Gravel Mix/load stations should be isolated to prevent contamination. 36.What is phytotoxicity? a. Toxicity to humans b. Toxicity to animals c. Plant damage from pesticides d. Resistance development Some products can harm plants if misapplied. 37.What type of license is required for applying RUPs on your own land? a. Commercial license
b. Private applicator license c. Structural applicator d. No license needed Private applicators must be certified for RUPs. 38.What does a "Caution" signal word indicate? a. Slight toxicity b. Moderate toxicity c. High toxicity d. No risk "Caution" is the lowest level of acute toxicity. 39.In a pesticide spill, what's the first step to take? a. Wash hands b. Notify news media c. Control the spill and protect yourself d. Leave it alone Contain the area and don PPE before cleanup. 40.A material with an REI of 24 hours means: a. It’s safe after 1 hour b. It doesn’t need protective gear c. Workers must wait 24 hours to reenter without PPE d. No restrictions REI stands for Restricted Entry Interval.
45.Which practice is most likely to cause pesticide residue on crops? a. Using gloves b. Not observing pre-harvest intervals c. Calibrating equipment d. Using a drift barrier Ignoring PHI can leave illegal residues. 46.A granular pesticide is best applied using: a. High-pressure sprayer b. Drop or rotary spreader c. Fogger d. Paint brush Granulars require solid particle spreaders. 47.What does "selective pesticide" mean? a. Works in all weather b. Targets specific pests, not others c. Cannot be absorbed d. Needs no label Selective pesticides spare beneficial organisms. 48.If a pesticide is classified as "persistent," it: a. Breaks down in hours b. Becomes harmless quickly c. Remains active in environment for a long time
d. Is safe to ingest Persistence affects environmental impact and planning. 49.To prevent environmental damage, pesticides should be applied: a. During windstorms b. Under calm and suitable weather conditions c. After it rains d. When soil is saturated Ideal weather reduces drift, runoff, and volatility. 50.Pesticide containers should be disposed of: a. After breaking them b. By throwing in open dumps c. According to local and label instructions d. By reusing for food Improper disposal risks health and environmental harm.
