Pesticide Certification Ch. 5

What is the purpose of a pesticide formulation?

• To enhance the color and odor of the pesticide

• To determine the application method

• To improve the stability and effectiveness of the pesticide

• To determine the concentration of active ingredients

Which type of formulation requires dilution before application?

• Baits

• Granules

• Gels

• Dusts

What is a disadvantage of emulsifiable concentrates (EC or E)?

• Little visible residue on treated surfaces

• Not abrasive to equipment

• Easy to handle, transport, and store

• High concentration of active ingredient

What is an advantage of ultra-low volume (ULV) formulations?

• Specialized equipment requred

• Difficult to keep pesticide on target-high drift hazard

• Not abrasive to equipment

• Easily absorbed through skin

Which type of formulation is most commonly used for ant and cockroach control?

• Liquids

• Gels

• Granules

• Dusts

What is a disadvantage of granular formulations?

• break down more slowly than WP's or EX's bc of slow-release coating

• needs moisture to activate

• Little hazard to applicator because there is no spray and little dust

• Ready to use with no mixing

What is the main disadvantage of wettable powders (WP or W)?

• Abrasive and may cause pumps and nozzles to wear out quickly

• Easily measured and mixed

• easy to store, transport, and handle

• Less skin and eye absorption than ECs and other liquid formulations

Which type of formulation requires constant agitation to keep the particles suspended in water?

• Soluble powders (SP or WSP)

• Water-dispersible granules (WDG or DG)

• Thickeners

• Microencapsulated materials

What is the purpose of adjuvants in pesticide formulations?

• To reduce foaming of spray mixtures

• To increase the effectiveness of the pesticide

• To decrease drift

• all of the above

Some abbreviations used for common types of formulations include: 

• EC for emulsifiable concentrate

• ER for emulsifiable restriction

• GL for granulated low volatility

• WS for wettable solute