Georgia Pest Control Practice Test

Desiccants are pesticides that function by damaging the protective waxy coating of an insect's exoskeleton, leading to dehydration and ultimately death. Insects rely on their exoskeleton to retain moisture, and when this barrier is compromised, they lose water rapidly. The desiccants absorb moisture and disrupt the natural moisture balance within the insect's body. The other types of pesticides listed—wettable powders, dusts, and granules—do not specifically target the waxy coating in the same manner. Wettable powders are typically formulated to dissolve in water for spray applications and primarily act through ingestion or contact rather than by physically damaging the exoskeleton. Dusts can remain on the surface of insects but do not have the same desiccating effect as desiccants. Granules are larger particles that are often used in soil applications; they may control pests through ingestion but do not specifically target the waxy coating like desiccants do.