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

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.

For multi-family residences, NJDEP regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:30-9.13) require decal notification in all entryways to the building to inform residents of pesticide applications. This ensures visibility for all tenants without requiring individual unit notices. Option A (decal in each unit prior) is not required, though advance notice to tenants is. Option C (post-application decal in each unit) is impractical and not mandated; post-application notices are typically posted in common areas.

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.

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.

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. 7:30-9.13) require that multi-family residences receive notice prior to treatment, but the exact timeframe is not specified as 24 or 48 hours in the regulation. Best practice, as noted in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 2: Notification Requirements), is to provide notice in advance, typically at least 24 hours, but the regulation itself uses the general term “prior.” Option B (24 hours) and Option C (48 hours) are specific timeframes not mandated by the regulation.

Bedbugs undergo gradual metamorphosis, also known as incomplete metamorphosis, which includes three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Nymphs resemble smaller versions of adults and go through several molts before reaching maturity. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Bedbugs) confirms this life cycle. Option A (four stages: egg, larva, pupa, adult) describes complete metamorphosis, typical of insects like beetles, not bedbugs. Option C (two stages) is incorrect, as nymph stages are a critical part of bedbug development.

Category 7A (General and Household Pest Control) includes applying pesticides to control pests like ticks and fleas inside and outside structures, including turf and ornamental areas immediately adjacent to the structure (e.g., lawns or gardens). TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 1: Scope of Category 7A) confirms this scope. Option A is incorrect because bedbugs are indoor pests, and grubs require Category 3B (Turf Pest Control) certification. Option B is incorrect, as 7A applicators can treat outdoor areas for certain pests like ticks and fleas.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For indoor applications with a handheld sprayer, low pressure is recommended to minimize overspray and reduce the risk of pesticide drift onto non-target areas, such as furniture or food surfaces. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 5: Pesticide Application) advises using low-pressure settings (typically under 50 psi) for indoor crack-and-crevice or spot treatments. Option A (high pressure) and Option B (power sprayer and high) are more suited for outdoor or large-scale applications, not indoor household pest control.

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.

In New Jersey, the NJDEP Pesticide Control Program outlines the responsibilities of a certified commercial pesticide applicator supervising a pesticide operator. According to NJDEP regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:30-6.2), a certified applicator must be able to respond to the application site within a "reasonable amount of time" if they are not physically present. The definition of "reasonable" in this context is clarified in training materials and NJDEP guidance as being within three hours to ensure proper oversight, especially in case of emergencies or issues during application. This aligns with the need for timely supervision to ensure compliance with safety and application standards for general and household pest control under Category 7A. Eight hours or 24 hours would be too long to address potential issues effectively, such as spills, misapplications, or safety concerns.

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 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.

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.

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.

Carpenter ants often have multiple colonies, including satellite colonies inside structures and parent colonies outside near the building. Effective control, as outlined in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Ants), requires eliminating both inside and near building colonies to prevent reinfestation. Option B (outside colony only) is insufficient, as satellite colonies inside will persist. Option C (inside colonies and perimeter control) is part of the strategy but does not address the parent colony outside.