Technician — General Standards

Which of the following correctly describes Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

• A pest management approach combining inspection, monitoring, prevention, and targeted chemical use to minimize environmental impact ✓
• The exclusive use of organic pesticides and biological controls with no synthetic chemicals
• Applying pesticides on a strict monthly calendar schedule to prevent infestations
• A government program that subsidizes pest control services for low-income households

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When conducting a rodent inspection, which of the following is the BEST indicator of an active infestation versus an old one?

• Fresh, moist, dark-colored droppings in the area ✓
• The presence of any droppings regardless of their condition
• Visible grease marks along walls and pipes
• Finding a dead rodent in a snap trap that was set previously

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German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) are most commonly found in which areas of a structure?

• Kitchens and bathrooms near heat, moisture, and food sources ✓
• Dry, cool areas such as attics and crawl spaces
• Primarily outdoors in mulched landscaping beds
• Structural voids in exterior walls away from plumbing

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Which of the following correctly describes Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

• A pest management approach combining inspection, monitoring, prevention, and targeted chemical use to minimize environmental impact ✓
• The exclusive use of organic pesticides and biological controls with no synthetic chemicals
• Applying pesticides on a strict monthly calendar schedule to prevent infestations
• A government program that subsidizes pest control services for low-income households

Answer: IPM is a science-based, decision-making process that combines multiple strategies — inspection, monitoring, sanitation, exclusion, biological controls, and targeted pesticide use — to manage pests with minimum hazard to people, property, and the environment. Pesticides are used as a last resort or when monitoring indicates they are needed, rather than on a calendar schedule.

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When conducting a rodent inspection, which of the following is the BEST indicator of an active infestation versus an old one?

• Fresh, moist, dark-colored droppings in the area ✓
• The presence of any droppings regardless of their condition
• Visible grease marks along walls and pipes
• Finding a dead rodent in a snap trap that was set previously

Answer: Fresh rodent droppings are soft, moist, and dark; old droppings are hard, dry, and gray. Fresh droppings indicate current activity in that area. Gnaw marks can be old or new (fresh gnaw marks are lighter in color). Runways and rub marks build over time. Droppings are the most reliable indicator of recent activity.

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German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) are most commonly found in which areas of a structure?

• Kitchens and bathrooms near heat, moisture, and food sources ✓
• Dry, cool areas such as attics and crawl spaces
• Primarily outdoors in mulched landscaping beds
• Structural voids in exterior walls away from plumbing

Answer: German cockroaches prefer warm (70-90°F), humid environments close to food and water. They congregate in kitchens and bathrooms, particularly inside cabinets, behind appliances, inside motor housings, and along plumbing runs. Understanding their harborage preferences is essential for effective inspections and targeted treatment placement.

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