MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

Which pesticide type would be used to limit reproduction in pest populations?

1. Nonselective

2. Sterilants

3. Selective

4. Contact

The correct answer is: Sterilants

Sterilants are specifically designed to limit the reproduction of pest populations by rendering pests incapable of reproduction. These substances work by targeting the reproductive systems of those organisms, effectively preventing them from producing viable offspring. This method of pest control can significantly reduce the population of pests over time, as fewer new individuals enter the ecosystem. In contrast, nonselective pesticides eliminate a wide range of organisms indiscriminately, thereby reducing populations but not specifically targeting reproduction. Selective pesticides, on the other hand, are designed to target specific types of pests while leaving beneficial organisms unharmed, but they do not have a primary function of limiting reproduction. Contact pesticides act on pests upon physical application, killing them on contact rather than affecting their reproductive capabilities. These distinctions highlight the unique role of sterilants in managing pest populations through reproductive control.