Indiana Pesticide Applicator Core Practice Exam

What do active ingredients in pesticides do?

1. They serve as fillers in the pesticide formula

2. They provide fragrance to the pesticide

3. They are chemicals that actually control the pest

4. They enhance the aesthetic appeal of pesticides

The correct answer is: They are chemicals that actually control the pest

Active ingredients in pesticides are the specific chemicals that have the intended effect of controlling or managing pests. These ingredients are crucial because they are responsible for the pesticide's effectiveness in targeting pests, whether they are insects, weeds, fungi, or other agricultural or structural nuisances. Understanding their role is important for anyone involved in pest management, as it directly relates to how well a pesticide will perform. Unlike fillers or additives that might be included for reasons such as stability or application convenience, active ingredients are the essential components that contribute to the pesticide's ability to carry out its function of pest control. Other options, while they may describe aspects of a pesticide product, do not capture the foundational role that active ingredients play in pest management. Fillers, fragrances, and aesthetic enhancements do not provide the means to eliminate or control pests in the way that active ingredients do.