Termite Technician Exam Prep
Power Point & Written Exam After this powerpoint presentation you will be given a written examination based on this information. This exam prep addendum was created based on the actual topics from the PSI examination Good Luck!
The Label It is important to understand the meaning of the terms Label and Labeling. The label is information provided with a pesticide, usually affixed to or printed on the container. This information provides directions to the user on how to properly and safely use the product. It also provides regulators guidelines for controlling the products sale, distribution, use, storage and disposal. Physicians rely on the label information for proper treatment techniques in case of poisoning. Labeling is the manufacturers information about a product including promotional brochures, specimen labels and test studies. Label instructions always contain the statement It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. It is illegal because the label IS the law. The label is registered with the EPA in addition to the actual product. Key signal words CAUTION, WARNING & DANGER indicate the increasing levels of toxicity.
Math LF/10=Ux4=G This is an example of an equation to help figure the gallons of chemical solution needed for a certain amount of linear footage.
Avoiding contamination Considering the two types of exposure Acute and Chronic what type do you think you are most vulnerable to? What are the likely routes of entry for pesticide poisoning? Dermal route The skin is very porous and pesticides in most any form can easily penetrate it. Skin that is very dry, chapped or scraped will absorb pesticides very quickly. Concentrates spilled on dry skin will pass through the skin right into the bloodstream and spread throughout your body. Inhalation route Inhalation poisoning through the lungs is a serious threat in the pest control business. A large dose of concentrated dust or wetable power suddenly blown in your face and lungs while mixing could easily produce an acute or immediate poisoning. Oral route Pesticides can enter your mouth so if you like the taste of pesticides you should probably get out of the business. Accidental ingestion is more likely with the sources being splashing while mixing, failing to wash your hands before eating or smoking.
Disposal Keep surplus products contained and locked away until proper disposal is available. Pesticide containers should be disposed of as the label recommends. When containers cannot be recycled then follow the following directions and or those of the label: Triple rinse Puncture Crush flat Dispose of in an EPA licensed sanitary landfill. For dry formulations empty the contents, open the container completely and dispose in a landfill. For aerosols relieve as much pressure as possible. Do not puncture. Dispose in a landfill.
Environmental Protection Other steps to take to prevent environmental contamination are: Follow any label warnings. Consider potential runoff or leaching when applying pesticides close to water sources. Never apply pesticides to saturated or frozen earth. Check the weather for reports of rain. Use alternative methods if possible in risky situations. Be especially careful around water wells or other sources of drinking water. Do not store or dispose of pesticides or containers in a way that will allow for future contamination.
Federal Pesticide laws The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970. The agency regulates pesticides with the authority of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The basic provisions of FIFRA are: Requires EPA to register pesticides. Requires classification of pesticides. Requires that users of restricted use pesticides be certified. Set tolerances for pesticide residues on raw agricultural products. Sets penalties for improper use, disposal or storage of pesticides. Authorizes civil and criminal penalties for pesticide violations. Allows for stricter state standards.
Filling & Mixing practices What are safe mixing and filling practices? First and foremost ALWAYS wear protective clothing and equipment when you open a container of concentrated pesticide. Gloves, eye protection and a respirator are essential. Read the label prior to opening the container. Shaking or agitating may be required. Carefully choose a location to mix products. Avoid areas that could be contaminated by a small spill. Never mix product indoors. Keep soap and fresh water handy at all times on your truck or in your warehouse. Never pour concentrates into an empty sprayer or bucket followed by water. Fill your sprayer halfway then introduce the pesticide followed by the rest of the water.
General Information What can be done if a spill does occur during filling and mixing? Contain the spill isolate it to prevent spreading. Control the spill Isolate the spill from people, pets or livestock. Soak up the spill Use absorbent materials such as clay absorbent or saw dust. Clean up the spill Collect your absorbent materials and shovel it into plastic buckets. Decontaminate the area Use a decontamination agent such as hydrated lime on the spill. Clean equipment Liquid bleach or strong detergents will clean your truck or equipment. Disposal of contaminated materials
Integrated Pest Management Integrated pest management or IPM is more than an alternative procedure for controlling pest. It is a philosophy and an attitude. The key word is INTEGRATED. Integrated means to mix or involve many parts or procedures. The point of IPM is to bring together all of the experiences, tools, products (including pesticides) and knowledge of the PMP to achieve and maintain control of pest problems without solely relying on pesticides. What are the 4 basic steps of an IPM program? Inspection Assessment Action Reinspection
Personal Protective Equipment Pesticides can penetrate and absorb into your body very rapidly and easily. The use of the proper personal protective equipment or PPE is critical to protect you from an acute or a chronic poisoning. Pesticide labels will specify what type of PPE to use when applying them. Gloves gloves are the most basic personal protection device that you can utilize to protect your health. Gloves come in a variety of types. Long pants, long sleeved shirts and coveralls are stipulated for use on many pesticide labels. Eyewear eye protection should be used at all times when making pesticide applications. Follow label instructions. Respirators The proper type and fit for your respirator is important to protect your lungs from inhalation damage. Boots Aprons Hats The ears, eyes, scalp and genitals absorb pesticides the quickest.
Unlawful Acts Making a pesticide application inconsistent with the labeling of any pesticide as registered by the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of Agriculture, or the state registration for that pesticide, or in violation of any condition or restriction placed upon the use of that pesticide by the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of Agriculture, or the state; failure to provide a disclosure document prior to, or accompanying, or at the same time, with a written estimate as described in 7.174 of this title (relating to Termite Treatment Disclosure Documents). Any violation of the regulations promulgated under this subchapter relating to treatment standards;
Carpenter Ants Carpenter Ants Carpenter ants are large ants usually ¼ inch and up to ¾ inch for the queen ant. The body is black or dark brown but in Texas they can be both red and black. Carpenter ants do not eat wood. Carpenter ants seek out soft or decaying wood to excavate for galleries to rear their young. Perfectly sound, dry lumber is excavated once the nest is established. Carpenter ants will eject coarse sawdust mixed with insect parts and insulation called Frass. Distinguish their damage from that of termites by the smooth sandpapered appearance of their galleries.
Colony Structure Termites live in organized societies called colonies. The colony is made up of three caste or termites: workers, soldiers and reproductives each having a critical role to play in the survival of the colony. Workers make up the vast majority of the population. They are white, wingless and soft bodied. They perform the work of the colony: foraging, feeding themselves and the other caste, maintaining galleries and caring for the queen. Soldiers make up only about 3 % of the population. Their duty is to protect the colony from predators like ants. Soldiers have an enlarged head with sword-like mandibles. Soldiers are sterile and do not mate, but they mature quickly and live about 3 years. Reproductives breed and maintain the population of the colony. There are three types of reproductive termites: primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary reproductives are a winged form from which the king and queen develop. They are produced in mass numbers seasonally. They swarm from the colony, shed their wings, pair off and seek to start a new colony. Their first batch off eggs will only be 6 to 12. It takes 2 to 3 years before reproductives are produced in a new colony. Queens live a long time and may produce 60,000 offspring. Swarmers are produced in mature colonies 3 to 5 years old. They are black and have four white wings. Secondary reproductives serve as a backup to primary reproductives and will supplement egg production if needed. They have no wings but do have wing pads. Subterranean termites will usually swarm about 10 days after a warm spring rain. The primary swarm is usually large but not all colonies will swarm each year.
Drywood Termites Drywood termites are found throughout the state but mainly in coastal areas. Drywoods need no contact with the soil. They enter a structure through the eaves, fascia and attic. The primary evidence of infestation is fecal pellets. They are 1/32 inch long, six sided, blunt on one end and pointed on the other. Fecal pellets will fall out of kick holes openings in the wood surface.
Formosan Termites Formosan termites are similar to native subterranean termites except that they exhibit the ability to survive without constant contact with the ground. They will exploit a roof or plumbing leak in order to build what s called a carton in a wall. Formosan termites are very aggressive and will tunnel in and damage a structure usually about 10 times faster than native subs. Formosan colonies are usually about 10 times larger too.
Identification
Other WDI Powderpost beetle s are destructive pest that will infest buildings, cabinets, hardwood flooring and furniture. They make small shot hole exit openings in wood surfaces and eject a fine white powder from them. The adults are small usually about 1/8 inch long and are black to reddish brown. The two most common pest species are the Lyctid beetle and the Anobiid beetle. The Lyctid beetle will lay eggs in the pores of hardwood and the larvae will bore into the wood. They are unable to completely digest wood so the fine white powdery frass is left behind. Anobiid beetles also lay eggs in wood. They are able to digest wood and will leave frass that contains fecal pellets. Lyctid Anobiid
Carpenter Bees Carpenter Bees Carpenter bees are large bees that will bore into wood in order to rear their young. They prefer seasoned wood and will bore a ½ inch hole more than 5 inches deep. They overwinter in the wood. Treat the openings and let them exit before plugging the holes a few days later.
Pesticides for Termites Pyrethroids are synthetic versions of natural derived pyrethrins. They are effective at creating a termite barrier because they are highly repellant to termites. Borate is a term to describe compound chemicals that contain oxygen and boron. Borates are used in a variety of household products such as laundry detergent. Several insecticides are now available that utilize borates as the active ingredient. At low levels boron is minimally toxic to humans. The toxic effect on insects is just now being understood. Borates basically kill the brew of bacteria and protozoa that live in a termites hindgut thereby disabling their ability to digest and convert cellulose into nutrients. Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are synthetic chemicals that mimic insect hormones. These chemicals disrupt a wide array of physiological functions in insects such as molting or pupal emergence. IGRs have a delayed effect and are accumulated by the insects in their bodies. IGRs are often designed to target a certain species of insect or a group of closely related insects. IGRs are super low in mammalian toxicity. Termites will spread an IGR around the colony through feeding and grooming of each other. Biological control of termites is presently being studied and developed. Disease causing bacteria and fungi and parasitic nematodes have shown some promise as control mechanisms. The direct injection of agents like Bacillus thuringiensis into termite galleries or into the soil is being evaluated for its ablities and limitations. Fipronil is non repellent and very stable. It acts as a nerve inhibitor on insects. It has a transfer effect on termites that allows them to spread the product throughout the colony combined withdelayed action so that maximum mortality on the termite colony is achieved. Fipronil has now been labled for use in many insect baits and for use as a perimeter spray for ants and other insects.
Preconstruction treatments Preconstruction on a structure can be classified as a spot, partial or full treatment. There are several disclosure forms required prior to treatment. Preconstruction treatments other than a single family home require a pre notification to TDA using a TDA form. The form must be sent to a specific TDA number via fax. The notification must be between the hours of 6am to 9pm AND you must give a minimum of 4 hours notice before treatment can begin.
Schools All school districts must implement an IPM program for all applications on school property including termite treatment. The IPM coordinator is responsible for creating and implementing the IPM plan for that school and any application must be approved by the IPM coordinator in advance of treatment.
Special Treatments A stucco home will require that the trench extend down below the bottom of the stucco or foam board so that the chemical will treat the soil below that level.
Structural considerations When treating a home for termites you must understand how the structure is built in order to apply the chemical correctly. For instance a monlithic slab will require the outer perimeter to be treated plus any plumbing penetrations. A pier and beam foundation will require each pier to be treat and the outer and inner side of the beams to be treated. A stucco home will require that the trench extend down below the bottom of the stucco or foam board so that the chemical will treat the soil below that level.
Treatment Standards When an estimate or proposal for termite treatment is submitted to a consumer the pest control company must provide the following written disclosure information: For all treatments there will be a diagram showing exactly what will be treated. Treatment specifications and warranties for those treatments may vary widely. Review the pesticide label provided to you for minimum treatment specification. Documentation shall also include but is not limited to approximate perimeter measurement of the structure, areas of active or previous termite activity, the concentration of any liquid termiticide application to be used or the minimum number of baiting systems installed or the square footage if a barrier is installed.
Unlawful Acts (1) misrepresentation for the purpose of defrauding; deceit or fraud; the making of a false statement with knowledge of its falsity for the purpose of inducing others to act thereon to their damage; (2) intentional misrepresentation in any application for a license; (3) engaging in an advertising practice prohibited in 7.152 of this title (relating to Advertising); advertising services which the licensee is not authorized to provide; engaging in false, misleading or deceptive acts or practices; or advertising in an unauthorized category; (4) has been convicted or has pleaded guilty to a violation of the Act as amended, or any regulation adopted hereunder, or any of the laws or regulations of this state, another state, or the United States, relating to the licensing of pest control operators and pesticide use; (5) has been convicted of or has pled guilty to a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, under the law of this state and other states of the United States within seven years prior to the date of application, provided that when the applicant is a defendant in any action in which the defendant is charged with a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, the department may delay processing of the application until final disposition of any such criminal proceedings;
Unlawful Acts cont d (6) has a criminal background as explained in 7.129 of this title (relating to Licensing of Persons with Criminal Backgrounds); (7) failure of the licensee to supply the department or its authorized representative, upon request, with true and accurate information concerning methods and materials used, or work performed, or other information essential to the public health and welfare and to the administration and enforcement of the Act; (8) engaging in pest control practices in a manner that could be injurious to the public health, safety, or to the environment; (9) failure to comply with contract specifications; (10) performing work in a category for which the certified applicator or technician licensee is not licensed or an apprentice is not trained or licensed; (11) failure of business licensee or certified noncommercial applicator to register employees or failure to pay license fee for employees; (12) making a pesticide application inconsistent with the labeling of any pesticide as registered by the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of Agriculture, or the state registration for that pesticide, or in violation of any condition or restriction placed upon the use of that pesticide by the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of Agriculture, or the state;
Unlawful Acts cont d (13) failure to make records of pesticide use and keep them available as required by the Act, as amended, and 7.144 this title (relating to Pest Control Use Records); (14) failure of business licensee to notify the department when a certified applicator or apprentice leaves their employment; (15) failure of business licensee to put identifying letters and numbers on vehicles as required by regulations; (16) failure to print in proper size type the address and telephone number of the department and the statement that the business is licensed and regulated by the Texas Department of Agriculture; (17) failure of business licensee or certified noncommercial applicator to notify the department of a change of address of their company or organization; (18) failure of a business licensee or certified noncommercial applicator to give the department an address where licensee may be located; (19) failure of the certified applicator or business licensee to adequately supervise employees; (20) failure of certified applicator licensee, technician or apprentice to notify the department when he or she moves or changes employers; (21) failure to maintain continuous minimum liability insurance and continuing to operate during lapsed period; (22) failure to meet minimum continuing education or technician training requirements; (23) failure to maintain technician or apprentice training records;
Unlawful Acts cont d (24) failure to provide signs, disclosure and information sheets; (25) failure to post signs or distribute information sheets; (26) failure to comply with a final order of the Commissioner; (27) Permitting, aiding, abetting or conspiring with a person to intentionally violate or circumvent a law or regulation enforced by the department; (28) Denial, suspension, revocation, probation, fine or other license restriction or discipline against a licensee by a state, territory, or Indian tribal government or the federal government; (29) Any violation of the regulations promulgated under this subchapter relating to treatment standards; (30) failure to pay an agreed or court ordered administrative penalty; (31) failure to comply with 7.135 of this title (relating to Criteria for Evaluation of Continuing Education); (32) failure to comply with 7.150 of this title (relating to Schools); (33) failure to comply with any section of the Act or these regulations; and (34) failure to provide a disclosure document prior to, or accompanying, or at the same time, with a written estimate as described in 7.174 of this title (relating to Termite Treatment Disclosure Documents).