Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

Which characteristic best describes the application requirements for fumigants?

1. Require direct contact with pests

2. Must be applied in confined spaces

3. Gas or vapors that can treat large areas

4. Only effective when combined with bait

The correct answer is: Gas or vapors that can treat large areas

The application requirements for fumigants are best characterized by their ability to be delivered as gas or vapor, enabling them to penetrate and treat large areas effectively. This physical property allows fumigants to disperse evenly throughout a treated space, reaching pests that may be hidden in cracks, crevices, and other inaccessible locations. Fumigants do not require direct contact with pests to be effective, as their gaseous state allows for a more thorough treatment of the environment. While they are often used in confined spaces, such as storage facilities or silos, their primary strength lies in their ability to fill a volume and affect all pests within that area, making them suitable for treating larger expanses compared to other pest control methods. Additionally, fumigants can function independently without the need for bait, which is a characteristic of other types of pest control methods.