Which of the following is NOT a recognized residual treatment by the EPA?

The correct answer, indicating which treatment is not recognized as a residual treatment by the EPA, is surface treatment. Residual treatments are methods that leave a pesticide on a surface to create a barrier against pests. The other options—broadcast, barrier, and spot treatments—are all accepted methods for applying pesticides that provide residual control.

Broadcast treatments involve applying pesticides uniformly across a large area to cover the entire surface, creating a consistent layer of pesticide. Barrier treatments create a protective zone around structures to prevent pests from entering, often utilized in structural pest control. Spot treatments are targeted applications made to specific areas where pests are known to exist.

In contrast, surface treatment lacks the recognition in terms of establishing lasting residual effects as seen in the other methods. It may refer to applications directly onto surfaces but does not imply the sustained efficacy or intentional residual management that the EPA monitors. Thus, surface treatment does not fit the criteria as a recognized residual treatment method by the EPA.