Sunshine Coast Pest Control Ltd

(604) 886 1977

Sunshine Coast Pest Control Ltd

(604) 886 1977

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

absorption - movement of a pesticide from the surface into a body.

active ingredient (a.i.) -  the portion of a pesticide formulation which is the actual toxicant.

acute toxic effect - an adverse effect on human or animal body which develops rapidly and quickly reaches a conclusion.

acute toxicity - the potential of an ingredient to cause ill health or death within a few hours to a few days after a single dose or exposure.

adhesive - a substance that will cause a pesticide spray to stick to the sprayed surface, e.g. a sticking agent.

adjuvant - a substance added to a pesticide to improve the pesticide’s physical qualities, hence it’s effectiveness, e.g. wetting or spreading agents, stickers, penetrants, emulsifiers, and synergists.

adult - a fully grown, sexually mature, insect, mite, nematode or other animal. The adult stage is often related to dispersal and the beginning of a new colony or infestation.

adulticide - a pesticide directed at the adult stage of a species.

aerosol (pressurised can) - a small amount of pesticide or combination of pesticides that is driven through a fine opening (orifice) by an inactive gas under pressure (propellant) when the nozzle is triggered, producing an extremely fine dispersion, spray, mist or fog of very tiny solid particles or droplets suspended in the air.

agitate - the movement of a liquid pesticide to keep the chemical contents mixed so as to prevent them from separating or settling in the spray tank.

anticoagulants - a substance which prevents normal blood clotting. A poisoned animal bleeds internally, causing death, e.g. from ingestion of warfarin.

antidote - a substance used to counteract the effect of a poison.

application rate - the amount of pesticide product or active ingredient applied to a unit area.

aqueous - a term used to indicate the presence of water in a solution.

attractant - a chemical that lures pests to a selected location where they may be destroyed, sterilised or trapped.

avicides - a pesticide or mixture of pesticides intended for bird control.

bait - a food or other material which will attract a pest to a pesticide or to a trap where it may be killed or trapped.

bait shyness - the tendency of rodents, birds or other pests to avoid a poisoned bait.

biological control - the use of living things such as predators, parasites or disease organisms to control pests.

bird repellant - a pesticide which repels birds, or discourages them from roosting or feeding.

botanical pesticide - naturally occurring compounds which are derived from plant parts and are toxic to pests, e.g. pyrethrum.

broadcast application - an application of chemical over an entire area.

broad spectrum pesticide - a pesticide that controls or is toxic to a wide range of pests when applied correctly. Same as nonselective.

buffer zone - see pesticide buffer zone.

buildup - accumulation of a pesticide in soil, animals or in the food chain.

calibrate - to determine the amount of pesticide being applied through a nozzle of a sprayer or duster over a given area.

carcinogenic - capable of producing cancer.

carrier - an inert material mixed with active ingredients to make a pesticide formulation, e.g. finely ground clay, talc, volcanic ashes , water, oil, solvent, air and gas propellants.

cartridge - the part of a respirator which absorbs fumes and vapours from the air before the applicator breathes them in.

certified pesticide applicator - an individual who is certified by the Pesticide Control Branch through examination to use or supervise the use of pesticides in a specific category of pest control.

certified pesticide dispenser - an individual who is certified by the Pesticide Control Branch through examination to sell pesticides.

chemosterilant - a chemical that controls pests by destroying their ability to reproduce.

chronic toxic effect - an adverse effect on a human or animal body which develop slowly or occurs a long time after exposure and lasts for a long time, i.e. years.

chronic toxicity - the potential for an ingredient to cause adverse effects which develop slowly or occurs a long time after exposure and last for long time, i.e. years.

complete metamorphosis - the process of insect development which includes the egg, larva, pupa and adult stages.

concentrate - opposite of dilute. Concentrated formulations are diluted with water or oil before use.

concentration - refers to the weight of active ingredient in a given weight or volume of a formulation.

contact insecticide - a compound that causes the death of an insect when it touches the external parts, it need not be swallowed to be effective.

coverage - the degree of uniformity of a pesticide application over a surface.

crack & crevice - a treatment application of pesticide into gaps e.g. between boards, sidings, baseboard and floor.

cumulative effect - the result of some pesticides which build up or are stored in the body so that small amounts eaten or contacted over a period of time can sicken or kill an animal or person, e.g. anticoagulant rodenticides, mercury compounds, thallium sulphate or DDT.

degradation - the process by which a complex chemical is reduced into a less complex form. The process can be the result of the action of microbes, water, air, sunlight or other agents.

dermal toxicity - the degree of toxicity of a compound when it is absorbed through the skin by mammals.

detergent - any liquid normally used as a cleansing substance. Some may also be used as wetting agents due to their ability to reduce the surface tension of water droplets.

detoxify - to make harmless; to take out, take away or neutralise a poison; to remove a poisonous effect.

diluent - any liquid or solid material used to weaken (dilute) or carry an active ingredient.

dilute - to make a pesticide concentration thinner or weaker by adding water, oil or solids (dusts).

dispersing agent - a substance that reduces the attraction between like particles; to break up.

dissolve - usually refers to getting solids into solutions.

dose - the amount of active ingredient (not formulated product) which is applied to an area or other target.

drift - the movement of pesticide droplets or dust, by wind or air currents, away from the target area onto areas not being treated. Drift constitutes one of the major hazards of pesticide application.

dust - a finely divided carrier (diluent) containing an active ingredient, usually of low concentration, to be used without dilution.

ecology - the science that deals with the relationships of organisms with each other and their environment.

ectoparasite - an external parasite, e.g. bedbug, flea.

ecosystem - a community of organisms interacting with one another and the specific habitat (environment) in which they live.

efficacy - a term used in pest control to mean the degree to which a pesticide or other procedure will control a specified target pest.

emergence - the action of an insect coming out of an egg or pupa.

emulsifiable concentrate - a liquid pesticide consisting of an active ingredient, a solvent, and an emulsifier that mixes with water to form an emulsion.

emulsifying agent - a material which helps to suspend one liquid in another, such as oil in water. Emulsifier is synonymous.

emulsion - a mixture of two or more immiscible liquids, such as oil and water, where one is suspended or dispersed in the other in the form of very minute droplets and remains suspended or dispersed for a period of time through the use (addition) of an emulsifier.

encephalitis - inflammation of the brain. Virus caused encephalitis, transmitted by mosquitos, can effect man and horses.

endemic - a disease or organism which is present but never increasing.

entomology - the science of the study of insects.

environment - the surroundings, including water, air, soil, plants and animals.

epidemic - a sudden widespread increase in the incidence of a disease or organism, opposite of endemic.

eradication - complete elimination of a living organism from a specific area.

exoskeleton - the segmented exterior skeleton of an insect; the insect’s “skin”.

exposure - when contact occurs with a pesticide orally, dermally or through inhalation.

foaming agent - a material which causes the pesticide mixture to form a thick foam, it is used to reduce drift.

Food and Drug Act - a Federal Act that ensures that food sold in Canada does not contain a harmful amount of any contaminant, pesticidal or otherwise.

formulation - a mixture of active ingredients with carriers, diluents or other materials, to make it safe and easy to store, transport, dilute and/or apply.

fungicide - a pesticide used to control fungi.

granular - a pesticide formulation in the form of a relatively coarse particles which are applied dry.

grub - the larval stage of some beetles.

habitat - a particular environment in which organisms live.

host - the living plant or animal a pest depends on for survival.

inert ingredient - any ingredient in a formulation which does not produce a toxic effect when pesticide is applied.

infection - the establishment and development of a pathogen (e.g. bacterium) in its host, which will produce a parasitic or infectious disease.

infestation - pests that are found in an area or location where they are not wanted.

ingestion - to swallow into the digestive system.

inhalation - to breathe into the lungs.

insect - adults are characterised by having the body divided into three regions: head, thorax and abdomen; and the thorax divided into three segments, each bearing a pair of segmented legs.

insecticide - a pesticide used to control or manage insects.

instar - one step or stage in the development of nymphal or laval insects.

integrated control - the use of more than one approach to or method of pest control, including cultural practices, natural enemies and selective pesticides,

invertebrate - any animal without a bony spinal column, e.g. insects and molluscs.

larva - the growing, wormlike stage of insects which go through complete metamorphosis. Many insects cause most of their damage as larvae, e.g. caterpillars.

larvicide - a pesticide used to kill the larval stages of insects.

maggot - larval stage of many flies and midges (diptera), 3rd stage of complete metamorphosis. Maggots are legless.

maximum dosage - the largest amount of pesticide that can be used safely, without excess residues or damage occurring to the host organism to be protected.

median lethal concentration - LC₅₀ . The concentration of a pesticide in air or water which is lethal to 50% of the population of a species. It is expressed in mg/L.

metabolism - the sum total of life processes in living organisms.

metamorphosis - any change of form or structure of an insect during the growing period. Complete metamorphosis: four stage development of an insect consisting of an egg, larva, pupa and adult.

microbe - an organism of extremely small size, e.g. bacteria, fungi and viruses.

microbial pesticide - a pesticide whose “active ingredient” is a bacteria, virus or other microscopic plant or animal.

miscible - capable of being mixed. Usually refers to liquids, e.g. water with alcohol.

Mites - small to minute animals having eight legs in the adult stage. There are harmful and beneficial species. Closely related to spiders.

miticide - a pesticide used to control or manage mites.

mode of action - the ways in which a pesticide affects a living organism, e.g. disrupts the nervous system, inhibits cell division, etc.

mould - a fungus-caused growth, often found in damp or decaying areas of or livings things.

mutagenic - capable of inducing genetic changes which produce offspring that have different characteristics from their parents.

natural enemies - the predators and parasites in the environment which attack pest species.

nocturnal - active at night or in the dark.

non persistent pesticide - a pesticide that breaks down almost immediately, or only lasts a few weeks or less and turns into non-toxic breakdown products.

non selective pesticide - a pesticide that is toxic to a wide range of pests.

non-taget organism - any organism which is not the object of a pesticide application.

nymph - the immature stages of insects such as plant bugs, aphids and grasshoppers which undergo incomplete metamorphosis.

oral toxicity - the degree of toxicity of a compound when it is ingested or swallowed.

organic chemical - a chemical compound containing carbon. Many organic compounds occur in nature while others are produced by man through chemical synthesis.

organochlorines - organic chemicals containing chlorine, e.g. DDT or dieldrin.

organomercury compounds - organic compounds which contain mercury. Highly toxic and cumulative poisons. No longer used in B.C. as pesticides. Environmental pollutants.

organophosphorous pesticides - synthetic organic pesticides which contain carbon, hydrogen and phosphorus. Act by inhibiting a chemical in the body called cholinesterase. As a rule, organophosphorous compounds are less persistent than the organochlorines.

ovicide - a pesticide used to control eggs, particularly insect or mites.

parasite - an organism that lives in or on the body of another organism and obtains nourishment from it.

particulating agent - a thickening agent used as an adjuvant in pesticide formulations to increase droplet size and thus reduce drift.

pathogen - any disease producing organism.

percent by weight - a percentage which express the weight of active ingredients as part of the total weight of the formulation, e.g. 1 Kg of active ingredient added to and mixed with 3 Kg of other materials results in a formulation which is 25% pesticide by weight.

percent concentration - the weight of an active ingredient expressed as a percentage of the formulation in weight per volume (liquid formulations) or weight per weight (dry formulations). In liquid volume concentration calculations it is assumed that one litre weighs one kilogram.

persistence - the time during which a pesticide retains its toxic properties.

pest - an undesirable organism.

Pest Control Product Act - a Federal Act administered by Agriculture Canada. The Act provides that, in order to be registered for sale or use in Canada, a pesticide must be accompanied with evidence of effectiveness for the purpose claimed. The pesticide must be accurately labelled as to composition and hazards. The seller must also provide adequate directions for use.

Pest Control Produce Registration Number - the number which is assigned to a specific pesticide when registration is approved. It must be displayed on every pesticide container label sold or used in Canada.

pest control service - a person (company, firm, proprietorship, agency, etc.) who by himself or by the employees provides a service involving the use or application of pesticides. A certified pesticide applicator must be in attendance at each pesticide application.

pesticide - under the B.C. Pesticide Control Act, any substance or mixture of substances, other than a device, intended for killing, controlling or managing insects, rodents, fungi, weeds and other forms of plant or animal life that are considered to be pests.

pesticide buffer zone - A strip of land between the 10m pesticide free zone and the pesticide treatment area. Pesticides are not applied directly in the pesticide buffer zone to prevent entry of pesticides or pesticide residues by drift, runoff or leachate into the pesticide free zone. The width of the pesticide buffer zone is up to the discretion of the pesticide applicator, who must take the type of pesticide application equipment, speed of travel, terrain topography and weather conditions into account.

Pesticide Control Act - a Provincial Act, which replaced sections of the Pharmacy Act. It is administered by the Ministry of Environment and Parks, Pesticide Control Branch. The Act and Regulation provide for the certification of pesticide applicators and dispensers, as well as the licensing of pest control services and pesticide vendors in the province of British Columbia.

pesticide free zone - A strip of land, usually 10m in width, adjacent to water bodies. Pesticides may not be directly applied to, or allowed to reach the pesticide free zones via drift, runoff or leachate. Specific authorisation is needed if the pesticide free zone is to be less than 10m.

pesticide residue - a deposit that remains in or on a product following the application of a pesticide.

pheromones - chemicals produced by insects and other animals t communicate with members of the same species. Some synthetic pheromones are used to monitor or control insect populations.

photodecomposition - the degradation of a complex substance such as a pesticide into more simple compounds from the action of sunlight.

piscicide - a pesticide used to control fish e.g. rotenone.

Poison Control Centre - located at all major hospitals in British Columbia. They provide first aid information for poisoning victims. Antidotes and treatment procedures are available to doctors.

potentiation - the joint action of two pesticides to bring about an effect greater than the sum of the individual effects.

ppb - parts per billion.

ppm - parts per million.

pre-baiting - feeding bait without pesticide to target species e.g. rodents or birds, to allow them to become accustomed to the bait or feeding location before applying the pesticide-bait mixture.

registered pesticide - a pesticide accepted under the Pest Control Products Act for use and purposes claimed. The P.C.P. registration number must be displayed on the label of each pesticide container sold or used in Canada.

repellant - a chemical that drives pests away from a treated object, area or individual.

residual - to continue to have a killing effect over a period of time after application.

resistance - that ability of an organism to resist or suppress the injurious effects of a pesticide.

rodent - small mammals of the order Rodentia. Includes such pest species as rats and mice.

rodenticide - a pesticide used to control rodents.

saprophyte - living and feeding on dead or decaying organic matter.

selective pesticide - a pesticide which is more toxic to some types of organisms than others.

soluble - will dissolve in a liquid.

solubility - the amount of a substance which will dissolve in a given amount of another substance.

soluble powder (SP) - a dry (powder) formulation which contains an active ingredient that dissolves in water (or another liquid), and forms a solution so that it can be applied.

solvent - a liquid which will dissolve one or more substances to form a solution.

space spray - a pesticide which is applied in the form of tiny droplets which float in the air and destroy insects and other pests in a localised space, either indoors or outdoors.

species - a group of individual s which are similar in structure and physiology and are capable of producing fertile offspring.

species diversity - the number of different animal or plant species comprising the community structure of a given habitat.

spiders - tiny animals closely related to insects; they have eight jointed legs, two body regions, no antennae, and no wings. Spiders are often grouped with mites and ticks.

split application - applying a portion of a pesticide at one time and the remainder later.

spot treatment - an application of spray to localised or restricted areas as differentiated from broadcast or complete coverage.

spray - a pesticidal formulation dissolved or suspended in a liquid (usually water or oil) so that it can be applied in fine droplets.

spreading agent - a substance used to improve the wetting and spreading properties of a spray mixture.

spreader sticker - a substance used to improve the wetting, spreading and sticking properties of a spray mixture, e.g. facilitates the spreading of a liquid over leaf surfaces and enhances adherence.

stomach poison - compounds that kill organisms when they are eaten and absorbed.

structural pests - any organism that can damage houses, storage buildings, furniture or other man-made structures, e.g. termites, carpenter ants, rodents and decay fungi.

sub lethal - insufficient dose of a pesticide to be direct cause of death of an organism.

surfactant - a chemical or agent used in a pesticide to make mixing easier and to assist in the spreading of a chemical and the wetting of an adherence to the surface to be treated, e.g. emulsifiers, soaps, wetting agents, detergents and spreader stickers.

susceptibility - the degree to which an organism can be injured or affected by a pesticide at a known dose or exposure.

suspension - a liquid or gas in which very fine solid particles are dispersed but not dissolved. Constant agitation is essential.

synergist - a chemical added to a pesticide to increase the level of activity of the active ingredient.

synthetic - a term derived from the Greek “Synthetikos” meaning “that which is put together”. Man-made chemicals may be identical to those found in nature, but are generally purer and more uniform.

systemic pesticide - a pesticide which is absorbed by and flows through the plant or animal.

target pest - the pest at which a pesticide application or other control method is directed.

technical material - the pesticide (active ingredient)as it is manufactured by a chemical company before formulation.

test animal - laboratory animals exposed to pesticides so that toxicity and hazards can be determined, e.g. rats, mice, rabbits, birds and fish.

threshold of toxicity - the lowest dose of a poison which causes one or more toxic effects examined for in animals or humans.

toxicant - poison.

toxicity - the degree to which a substance is poisonous or injurious to a plant or animal. Toxicity is one consideration in assessing the hazard in handling particular pesticides.

ultra low volume (ULV) - a spray application of a pesticide that is almost pure active ingredient (technical material); it is sprayed in extremely small amounts over a large area, usually less than 5 to 6 L/ha.

vertebrate - an animal with a bony spinal column, e.g. mammals, fish, birds, snakes. man and frogs.

viscosity - the ability of a liquid to resist flowing. The higher the viscosity, the slower it flows.

volatility - the degree to which a solid or liquid evaporates (evolves a gas).

volatility injury - injuries from the vapour of a pesticide.

wettable powder - a powder containing a wetting agent that will readily form a suspension in water.

wood preservation - preserving the usefulness and structural strength of wood and wood products by chemical treatments to repel harmful parasitic organisms.

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Reproduced from the Handbook for Pesticide Applicators and Dispensers. British Columbia - Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection.

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