Category-7A-General-and-Household-Pest-Control OCPE Pesticide Applicator Category 7A General and Household Pest Control Exam Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

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.

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.

The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), also known as the deer tick, is the primary vector forLyme disease in New Jersey. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Ticks) identifies this species as the main transmitter in the northeastern U.S. Option A (dog tick) transmits other diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Option B (lone star tick) is associated with other illnesses, not Lyme disease.

Yellow jackets are aggressive social wasps and are the most likely to sting, especially when their nest is disturbed. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Wasps) notes their defensive behavior. Option A (honeybee) can sting but typically only once, as they die after stinging. Option C (mud dauber) is a solitary wasp and less likely to sting unless provoked.

Earwigs are outdoor pests that enter structures, often hiding in debris near foundations. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Earwigs) recommends exterior treatment (e.g., perimeter spraying) combined with debris removal to eliminate harborage sites. Option A (fogging) is not a standard method for earwigs. Option B (interior baseboard spray) may be used but is less effective without addressing outdoor sources.

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.

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.

Lyme Disease is the most frequently reported vector-borne illness in the U.S., including New Jersey, transmitted by the blacklegged tick. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Ticks) highlights its prevalence, with thousands of cases reported annually. Option A (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) is less common. Option B (Tick Paralysis) is rare and not a disease but a condition caused by tick bites.

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.

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.

Bottle or blow flies are known for their metallic green or blue color, which distinguishes them from other flies. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 7: Flies) describes these flies as common in structures, often attracted to decaying organic matter. Option A (cluster flies) are dull grayish-brown and often found in attics. Option B (house flies) are gray with black stripes, not metallic.

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.

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 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.

The first step in any pest control program, especially under IPM, is an inspection to identify the pest, assess the infestation’s extent, and determine contributing factors. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 4: IPM) emphasizes that inspection guides the development of a targeted control strategy. Option A (pesticide application) should only occur after inspection and other methods are considered. Option C (alteration of the habitat) is a control method that follows inspection.

Chronic toxicity refers to the adverse effects of long-term, repeated exposure to a pesticide, which is a significant concern for applicators who handle pesticides regularly. This can lead to health issues like cancer, neurological disorders, or reproductive problems, as noted in theGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 3: Pesticide Safety). Option B (acute toxicity) refers to effects from a single, high-dose exposure, which is less relevant to repeated use. Option C (periodic) is not a recognized term in toxicology.

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 leave dark, greasy smears along walls from body oils and a musty odor from their urine, as they travel along established runways. TheGeneral Pest Management: Guide for Commercial Applicators - Category 7A(Chapter 8: Rodents) lists these as key signs of infestation. Option A (eggs) is incorrect, as rats are mammals and do not lay eggs. Option C (ceiling void nests) is more typical of squirrels or birds, not Norway rats, which nest in burrows or lower areas.

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.