Ornamental Turf pesticide applicator's
licence exam study guide
When should you apply a pesticide? - ANSWER-When pests are abundant enough cause
unacceptable damage
What hand lens magnification is recommended for insect identification? - ANSWER-5 power to
10 power
What should you do in an IPM program? - ANSWER-Produce healthy plants that can resist pests
Why should pesticide application be the last choice in pest management? - ANSWER-Because
they are labeled for use only on specific pests and types of plants and because it is safer to use
other controls
What is Integrated pest management (IPM) ? - ANSWER-It is an effective and environmentally
sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.
IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their
interaction with the environment
What is Phytotoxicity? - ANSWER-A toxic effect by a compound on plant growth
What is Pesticide breakdown? - ANSWER-The breakdown of pesticides into non-toxic
substances from bacteria and fungi in the soil
What is a Threshold? - ANSWER-A point at which pest populations or environmental conditions
indicate that pest control action must be taken
What are the strategies that delay the development of pesticide resistance? - ANSWER-Using a
pesticide only when needed and choosing alternative pesticides from different chemical classes
What is an Indicator plant? - ANSWER-Plants that can indicate the onset of a pest infestation
What does proper mowing mean? - ANSWER-Using sharp mower blades to make a clean cut
What do you need to do to promote healthy turf and reduce disease? - ANSWER-Water
thoroughly when you first see wilting
What should you do when fertilizing? - ANSWER-Determine fertilizer need through results of a
soil test
Cool-season cultivars... - ANSWER-Can be mixed to minimize disease
What does good soil drainage do? - ANSWER-Promotes healthy turfgrass
, What are the 3 major geographical regions in the southeastern U.S.? - ANSWER-1.) Mountains:
(Cool-season grasses)
2.) Piedmont: (The transitional zone where both warm and cool-season grasses are used)
*Cool-season gasses do better in the upper-piedmont region
*Warm-season grasses do better in the lower-piedmont region
3.) Coastal plain: (Warm-season grasses)
What are 4 mistakes in turf plant management that could contribute to poor turf stands and pest
problems? - ANSWER-1.) Not enough water
2.) Not aerating
3.) A lot of thatch
4.) No regular mowing
What are some of the basic principles of Integrated pest management? - ANSWER-1.)
PREVENTION: Produce healthy plants that resist plants: (Selecting healthy plants, using
certified seed, providing good growing conditions, and making a good match between the plant
and the site)
2.) MONITOR AND IDENTIFY THE PEST: Identify the problem: (Finding out whether the
damage to a particular plant is caused by a pest or by an environmental condition such as
freezing or drought and always determine the exact pest that you are dealing with)
3.) SET ACTION THRESHOLDS: Expect some pests and tolerate some damage: (Deciding how
many pests and how much damage to tolerate)
4.) CONTROL: Use pesticides as a last choice-Not a first choice
What are 4 tools or techniques that you could use to study a plant problem as you look for pests?
- ANSWER-1.) Keep records
2.) Use a hand lens
3.) Learn about symptoms
4.) Carry an index card
What are 2 kinds of drift? - ANSWER-1.) Particle drift: (The movement of fine particles
(droplets or dust) through the air while the pesticide is being applied)
2.) Vapor drift: (The movement of the pesticide in the form of a gas or vapor during or after
application)
What is a Buffer? - ANSWER-This is the non treated zone between the area to be treated and
sensitive areas such as ponds, streams, wells, and drains
What is a Re-entry period? - ANSWER-The length of time that must pass before anyone can
enter a treated area
Resistance to pesticides come from... - ANSWER-Using the same pesticides over and over again
What will happen to Pesticides in the soil over time? - ANSWER-They are eventually broken
down by bacteria and fungi
licence exam study guide
When should you apply a pesticide? - ANSWER-When pests are abundant enough cause
unacceptable damage
What hand lens magnification is recommended for insect identification? - ANSWER-5 power to
10 power
What should you do in an IPM program? - ANSWER-Produce healthy plants that can resist pests
Why should pesticide application be the last choice in pest management? - ANSWER-Because
they are labeled for use only on specific pests and types of plants and because it is safer to use
other controls
What is Integrated pest management (IPM) ? - ANSWER-It is an effective and environmentally
sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.
IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their
interaction with the environment
What is Phytotoxicity? - ANSWER-A toxic effect by a compound on plant growth
What is Pesticide breakdown? - ANSWER-The breakdown of pesticides into non-toxic
substances from bacteria and fungi in the soil
What is a Threshold? - ANSWER-A point at which pest populations or environmental conditions
indicate that pest control action must be taken
What are the strategies that delay the development of pesticide resistance? - ANSWER-Using a
pesticide only when needed and choosing alternative pesticides from different chemical classes
What is an Indicator plant? - ANSWER-Plants that can indicate the onset of a pest infestation
What does proper mowing mean? - ANSWER-Using sharp mower blades to make a clean cut
What do you need to do to promote healthy turf and reduce disease? - ANSWER-Water
thoroughly when you first see wilting
What should you do when fertilizing? - ANSWER-Determine fertilizer need through results of a
soil test
Cool-season cultivars... - ANSWER-Can be mixed to minimize disease
What does good soil drainage do? - ANSWER-Promotes healthy turfgrass
, What are the 3 major geographical regions in the southeastern U.S.? - ANSWER-1.) Mountains:
(Cool-season grasses)
2.) Piedmont: (The transitional zone where both warm and cool-season grasses are used)
*Cool-season gasses do better in the upper-piedmont region
*Warm-season grasses do better in the lower-piedmont region
3.) Coastal plain: (Warm-season grasses)
What are 4 mistakes in turf plant management that could contribute to poor turf stands and pest
problems? - ANSWER-1.) Not enough water
2.) Not aerating
3.) A lot of thatch
4.) No regular mowing
What are some of the basic principles of Integrated pest management? - ANSWER-1.)
PREVENTION: Produce healthy plants that resist plants: (Selecting healthy plants, using
certified seed, providing good growing conditions, and making a good match between the plant
and the site)
2.) MONITOR AND IDENTIFY THE PEST: Identify the problem: (Finding out whether the
damage to a particular plant is caused by a pest or by an environmental condition such as
freezing or drought and always determine the exact pest that you are dealing with)
3.) SET ACTION THRESHOLDS: Expect some pests and tolerate some damage: (Deciding how
many pests and how much damage to tolerate)
4.) CONTROL: Use pesticides as a last choice-Not a first choice
What are 4 tools or techniques that you could use to study a plant problem as you look for pests?
- ANSWER-1.) Keep records
2.) Use a hand lens
3.) Learn about symptoms
4.) Carry an index card
What are 2 kinds of drift? - ANSWER-1.) Particle drift: (The movement of fine particles
(droplets or dust) through the air while the pesticide is being applied)
2.) Vapor drift: (The movement of the pesticide in the form of a gas or vapor during or after
application)
What is a Buffer? - ANSWER-This is the non treated zone between the area to be treated and
sensitive areas such as ponds, streams, wells, and drains
What is a Re-entry period? - ANSWER-The length of time that must pass before anyone can
enter a treated area
Resistance to pesticides come from... - ANSWER-Using the same pesticides over and over again
What will happen to Pesticides in the soil over time? - ANSWER-They are eventually broken
down by bacteria and fungi
