Ornamental/Turf pesticide applicator's
licence UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
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)
What are 4 mistakes in turf plant management that could contribute to poor turf stands and
pest problems? - CORRECT ANSWER- 1.) Not enough water
2.) Not aerating
3.) A lot of thatch
4.) No regular mowing
What are 3 site problems that could contribute to poor turf stands and pest problems? -
CORRECT ANSWER- 1.) Poor drainage
2.) Shade
licence UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
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)
What are 4 mistakes in turf plant management that could contribute to poor turf stands and
pest problems? - CORRECT ANSWER- 1.) Not enough water
2.) Not aerating
3.) A lot of thatch
4.) No regular mowing
What are 3 site problems that could contribute to poor turf stands and pest problems? -
CORRECT ANSWER- 1.) Poor drainage
2.) Shade
