Ornamental/Turf pesticide applicator's licence exam
study guide questions and answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
What are some of the basic principles of Integrated pest management?
- correct 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?
- correct answer 1.) Keep records
2.) Use a hand lens
3.) Learn about symptoms
4.) Carry an index card
What are 2 kinds of drift?
- correct 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?
- correct 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?
- correct answer The length of time that must pass before anyone can enter a treated area
Resistance to pesticides come from...
- correct answer Using the same pesticides over and over again
What will happen to Pesticides in the soil over time?
- correct answer They are eventually broken down by bacteria and fungi
When should you apply a pesticide?
- correct answer When pests are abundant enough cause unacceptable damage
What hand lens magnification is recommended for insect identification?
- correct answer 5 power to 10 power
What should you do in an IPM program?
- correct answer Produce healthy plants that can resist pests
Why should pesticide application be the last choice in pest management?
- correct 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) ?
- correct 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?
- correct answer A toxic effect by a compound on plant growth
What is Pesticide breakdown?
- correct answer The breakdown of pesticides into non-toxic substances from bacteria and fungi in the
soil
, What is a Threshold?
- correct 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?
- correct answer Using a pesticide only when needed and choosing alternative pesticides from different
chemical classes
What is an Indicator plant?
- correct answer Plants that can indicate the onset of a pest infestation
What does proper mowing mean?
- correct answer Using sharp mower blades to make a clean cut
What do you need to do to promote healthy turf and reduce disease?
- correct answer Water thoroughly when you first see wilting
What should you do when fertilizing?
- correct answer Determine fertilizer need through results of a soil test
Cool-season cultivars...
- correct answer Can be mixed to minimize disease
What does good soil drainage do?
- correct answer Promotes healthy turfgrass
What are the 3 major geographical regions in the southeastern U.S.?
- correct 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)
study guide questions and answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
What are some of the basic principles of Integrated pest management?
- correct 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?
- correct answer 1.) Keep records
2.) Use a hand lens
3.) Learn about symptoms
4.) Carry an index card
What are 2 kinds of drift?
- correct 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?
- correct 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?
- correct answer The length of time that must pass before anyone can enter a treated area
Resistance to pesticides come from...
- correct answer Using the same pesticides over and over again
What will happen to Pesticides in the soil over time?
- correct answer They are eventually broken down by bacteria and fungi
When should you apply a pesticide?
- correct answer When pests are abundant enough cause unacceptable damage
What hand lens magnification is recommended for insect identification?
- correct answer 5 power to 10 power
What should you do in an IPM program?
- correct answer Produce healthy plants that can resist pests
Why should pesticide application be the last choice in pest management?
- correct 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) ?
- correct 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?
- correct answer A toxic effect by a compound on plant growth
What is Pesticide breakdown?
- correct answer The breakdown of pesticides into non-toxic substances from bacteria and fungi in the
soil
, What is a Threshold?
- correct 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?
- correct answer Using a pesticide only when needed and choosing alternative pesticides from different
chemical classes
What is an Indicator plant?
- correct answer Plants that can indicate the onset of a pest infestation
What does proper mowing mean?
- correct answer Using sharp mower blades to make a clean cut
What do you need to do to promote healthy turf and reduce disease?
- correct answer Water thoroughly when you first see wilting
What should you do when fertilizing?
- correct answer Determine fertilizer need through results of a soil test
Cool-season cultivars...
- correct answer Can be mixed to minimize disease
What does good soil drainage do?
- correct answer Promotes healthy turfgrass
What are the 3 major geographical regions in the southeastern U.S.?
- correct 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)
