A work apparatus has an internal combustion engine and a starter device for starting the engine. Within a housing of the work apparatus, a first electrical component is arranged at a first location and a second electrical component is arranged at a second location. A control unit is provided which is connected to the first electrical component and to the second electrical component. The control unit detects a first temperature-dependent value of the first electrical component at the first location, and a second temperature-dependent value of the second electrical component at the second location, and identifies the starting conditions as a function of these values. The first electrical component is a first actuator and the second electrical component is a second actuator or a sensor.