Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicators CORE Exam

What is a recommended action to prevent back siphoning of pesticides?

1. Store pesticides indoors

2. Mix pesticides with water thoroughly

3. Keep containers tightly sealed

4. Use proper application equipment that prevents backflow

The correct answer is: Use proper application equipment that prevents backflow

Preventing back siphoning of pesticides is crucial for ensuring that the pesticides do not contaminate water sources. Using proper application equipment that prevents backflow is the most effective way to achieve this. This equipment typically includes devices such as check valves, anti-siphon devices, or backflow preventers that effectively stop any backflow of liquids into the water supply, maintaining the integrity of both the applicator's equipment and the surrounding environment. While storing pesticides indoors, mixing them thoroughly with water, and keeping containers tightly sealed are all good practices for safety and efficacy, they do not directly address the risk of back siphoning. These actions help with storage safety and proper application but lack the direct impact that specialized equipment has in preventing the reverse flow of liquid contaminants into potable water systems. This highlights the importance of using equipment designed explicitly for such protective measures when applying pesticides.