MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

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Prepare for the MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Exam. Study with flashcards and detailed explanations for each topic. Get ready to excel in your examination!

Practice this question and more.

What might be a reason for a pesticide's failure to control a pest?

Excessive sunlight during application
Pest resistance to introduced pesticides
All chickens on the farm were removed
Administration of the pesticide in water

The correct answer is: Pest resistance to introduced pesticides

A pesticide may fail to control a pest for various reasons, and one significant reason is pest resistance to the introduced pesticides. Over time, certain pests can develop genetic traits that allow them to survive exposure to specific chemicals, reducing the effectiveness of those pesticides. This resistance can occur due to repeated use of the same pesticide active ingredient, giving the pests that survive a selective advantage. As a result, even if the pesticide is applied correctly, it may not eliminate the target population, making it essential for applicators to rotate pesticide classes and use integrated pest management strategies to mitigate resistance development. The other options, while they may contribute to a reduction in overall pest control effectiveness, do not address the core issue of biological resistance that specifically alters the efficacy of the pesticide.