Glossary

Question 1

The movement of a chemical into plants, animals (including humans), microorganisms or soil.

Answer 1

Absorption

Question 2

A pesticide used to control mites and ticks. This is synonymous with miticide.

Answer 2

Acaricide

Question 3

Charcoal, which when finely ground, adsorbs liquids and gases.

Answer 3

Activated charcoal

Question 4

An adjuvant added to a pesticide to increase its toxicity.

Answer 4

Activator

Question 5

The chemical or chemicals in a product responsible for pesticidal activity.

Answer 5

Active ingredient

Question 6

The capacity of a pesticide to cause injury from a single exposure. LD50 and LC50 are common indicators of the degree of acute toxicity.

Answer 6

Acute toxicity

Question 7

The property of a substance to stick to a given surface.

Answer 7

Adherence

Question 8

A substance added to a pesticide to improve its effectiveness or safety, also called an additive. Examples: penetrants, spreader stickers and wetting agents.

Answer 8

Adjuvant

Question 9

The process by which chemicals are held or bound to a surface by physical or chemical attraction. Clay and high organic souls tend to adsorb pesticides.

Answer 9

Adsorption

Question 10

A pesticide that does not conform to the professed standard or quality documented on its label or labeling.

Answer 10

Adulterated pesticide

Question 11

A pesticide that is sprayed in a very fine to extremely fine droplets. This is intended to keep the pesticide suspended in the air. Mainly used for flying insect control.

Answer 11

Aerosol

Question 12

Process of stirring or mixing in a sprayer.

Answer 12

Agitation

Question 13

A respirator that removes harmful materials and/or vapors through a filter or series of filters prior to breathing. Negative pressure respirators rely on the users lungs to pull air through the filters. Positive pressure respirators use a blower to force air through filters prior to breathing.

Answer 13

Air-purifying respirator

Question 14

A specialized liquid sprayer that uses air to create very fine, high velocity spray droplets directed towards the target. Often used in orchards and vineyards.

Answer 14

Air-blast sprayer

Question 15

A pesticide used to kill or inhibit algae.

Answer 15

Algicide

Question 16

A plant that completes its life cycle in one year.

Answer 16

Annual

Question 17

The reduction of pesticide activity when two or more different pesticides are mixed together.

Answer 17

Antagonism

Question 18

Chemical produced by a microorganism that is toxic to other microorganisms. Examples: streptomycin, cycloheximide and penicillin.

Answer 18

Antibiotic

Question 19

A chemical that prevents normal blood clotting: the active ingredient in some rodenticides.

Answer 19

Anticoagulant

Question 20

A practical treatment used to counteract the effects of pesticide poisoning or some other poison in the body.

Answer 20

Antidote

Question 21

Adjuvant that is added to a tank mix to prevent the spray mix from foaming in the tank.

Answer 21

Anti-foaming agents

Question 22

An attachment designed to prevent backflow of a pesticide mix from a spray or holding tank into a water source.

Answer 22

Anti-siphoning device

Question 23

A chemical applied to a plant to reduce the rate of transpiration or water loss.

Answer 23

Anti-transpirant

Question 24

A wingless arthropod with two body regions and four pairs of jointed legs. Spiders, ticks and mites are arachnids.

Answer 24

Arachnid

Question 25

An invertebrate animal characterized by a jointed body and limbs, and usually a hard body covering that is molted at intervals. Insects, mites and crayfish are arthropods.

Answer 25

Arthropod

Question 26

An antidote used to treat organophosphate and carbamate poisoning.

Answer 26

Atropine (atropine sulfate)

Question 27

A substance or device used to lure insects or other pests to a trap or poison bait.

Answer 27

Attractant

Question 28

A chemical used to kill or repel birds.

Answer 28

Avicide