\VIRGINIA COMMERCIAL PESTICIDE
APPLICATOR 3A EXAM / VIRGINIA
COMMERCIAL PESTICIDE APPLICATOR 3A
EXAM PREPARATION 2025/2026 WITH
ACTUAL CORRECT QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED DETAILED ANSWERS
|FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS|ALREADY GRADED
A+|NEWEST|BRAND NEW
VERSION!!|GUARANTEED PASS
What are some factors that lead to phytotoxicity?
- pesticide active ingredient
- formulation characteristics
- mix rate
- application method
- environmental conditions
- plant growth stage
- additives
Describe the damage caused by mollusks:
Snails and slugs eat plant tissues. Usually foliage, fruit, and young bark.
When are slugs most active?
Humid nights and cool, misty mornings
What are some non-chemical management techniquies for snails and slugs?
- remove protective habitat
- use drip irrigation
- choose resistant plants
1|Page
,- encourage biological controls like beetles, ducks, and toads
- manual control
Describe damage caused by plant-parasitic nematodes:
Nematode infections cause stunting and slow growth. Nematodes attack root systems and
interfere with their function.
True or False: All nematodes are pests, either of plants or animals
False: Many are harmless
How do nematodes spread?
They move with soil and by clinging to animals and equipment
How do nematodes attack plants?
By inserting stylets into host plant cells and feeding. In the process, they introduce damaging
materials
How do we manage nematodes?
- planting resistant varieties
- good sanitation
- nematicides/soil fumigants
- biological controls
Why are assays and proper plant selection so important in nematode management?
No pesticides are currently labeled to control nematodes on wood ornamentals, and nematode
problems are very difficult to control after planting.
What is the life cycle of a plant-parasitic nematode?
20-60 days
What sanitation methods prevent nematode infestation?
- Wash/Sanitize tools/equipment before and after
- Don't reuse growing media
- Fumigate soil that's been sitting before potting use
What part of the plant do spiral nematodes attack?
Roots
How do lance nematodes harm plants?
2|Page
, They stunt and damage the root system and allow bacteria and fungi to penetrate.
How do lesion nematodes harm plants?
They burrow into the root on feed on internal tissues. Tunneling creates damage as nematodes
migrate between feeding sites. This causes stunting and poor growth and allows pathogens to
enter.
How do you prevent lesion nematodes on boxwood and azalea?
Practice good sanitation and use resistant cultivars. Avoid sites with previous nematode issues.
Treat soils before planting.
Give some characteristics of ring nematodes:
1. distinct coarse ridges around the body
2. thrive in coarse-textured soils
3. sluggish, worm-like movements
4. insert stylet and feed for 18hrs or longer
5. feed on surface level at multiple sites
What is the most obvious symptom of root-knot nematode infestation?
Swollen, knotted plant roots. Galls form around the female.
Which nematodes are highly damaging to english boxwoods?
Sprial nematodes
What practices can help a plant withstand a nematode infestation?
- fertilize and water as needed
- ensure good drainage
- add organic matter to the soil
Which nematodes live almost exclusively in sandy soils?
Sting nematodes
How do stubby-root nematodes damage plants?
Root tips stop growing and often die. Root swelling is also common. They also vector several
plant viruses.
Why control weeds?
3|Page
APPLICATOR 3A EXAM / VIRGINIA
COMMERCIAL PESTICIDE APPLICATOR 3A
EXAM PREPARATION 2025/2026 WITH
ACTUAL CORRECT QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED DETAILED ANSWERS
|FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS|ALREADY GRADED
A+|NEWEST|BRAND NEW
VERSION!!|GUARANTEED PASS
What are some factors that lead to phytotoxicity?
- pesticide active ingredient
- formulation characteristics
- mix rate
- application method
- environmental conditions
- plant growth stage
- additives
Describe the damage caused by mollusks:
Snails and slugs eat plant tissues. Usually foliage, fruit, and young bark.
When are slugs most active?
Humid nights and cool, misty mornings
What are some non-chemical management techniquies for snails and slugs?
- remove protective habitat
- use drip irrigation
- choose resistant plants
1|Page
,- encourage biological controls like beetles, ducks, and toads
- manual control
Describe damage caused by plant-parasitic nematodes:
Nematode infections cause stunting and slow growth. Nematodes attack root systems and
interfere with their function.
True or False: All nematodes are pests, either of plants or animals
False: Many are harmless
How do nematodes spread?
They move with soil and by clinging to animals and equipment
How do nematodes attack plants?
By inserting stylets into host plant cells and feeding. In the process, they introduce damaging
materials
How do we manage nematodes?
- planting resistant varieties
- good sanitation
- nematicides/soil fumigants
- biological controls
Why are assays and proper plant selection so important in nematode management?
No pesticides are currently labeled to control nematodes on wood ornamentals, and nematode
problems are very difficult to control after planting.
What is the life cycle of a plant-parasitic nematode?
20-60 days
What sanitation methods prevent nematode infestation?
- Wash/Sanitize tools/equipment before and after
- Don't reuse growing media
- Fumigate soil that's been sitting before potting use
What part of the plant do spiral nematodes attack?
Roots
How do lance nematodes harm plants?
2|Page
, They stunt and damage the root system and allow bacteria and fungi to penetrate.
How do lesion nematodes harm plants?
They burrow into the root on feed on internal tissues. Tunneling creates damage as nematodes
migrate between feeding sites. This causes stunting and poor growth and allows pathogens to
enter.
How do you prevent lesion nematodes on boxwood and azalea?
Practice good sanitation and use resistant cultivars. Avoid sites with previous nematode issues.
Treat soils before planting.
Give some characteristics of ring nematodes:
1. distinct coarse ridges around the body
2. thrive in coarse-textured soils
3. sluggish, worm-like movements
4. insert stylet and feed for 18hrs or longer
5. feed on surface level at multiple sites
What is the most obvious symptom of root-knot nematode infestation?
Swollen, knotted plant roots. Galls form around the female.
Which nematodes are highly damaging to english boxwoods?
Sprial nematodes
What practices can help a plant withstand a nematode infestation?
- fertilize and water as needed
- ensure good drainage
- add organic matter to the soil
Which nematodes live almost exclusively in sandy soils?
Sting nematodes
How do stubby-root nematodes damage plants?
Root tips stop growing and often die. Root swelling is also common. They also vector several
plant viruses.
Why control weeds?
3|Page
