ILLINOIS PESTICIDE APPLICATOR
TURFGRASS EXAMINATION TEST 2026
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉best time of year to fertilize. Answer: early September with early
May second best and if 3rd application necessary then late fall
◉Never apply more than 1 pound of soluble nitrogen per ______
square feet. Answer: 1,000
◉Properly cultivate grass. Answer: when turf is actively growing;
reduces soil compaction and improves water and grass infiltration.
NEVER do when turf stress or weed germinate
◉How often should you scout. Answer: 1-2 times per
month;beginning when turf turns green in spring
◉Most common turf insects in Illinois. Answer: White grubs
◉benefits of mapping. Answer: locations of previous pests
, ◉two ways weeds are commonly controlled. Answer: cultural
practice and herbicides
◉Never remove more than how much when mowing. Answer: one-
third
◉overfertilization can cause?. Answer: will burn turf, cause roots to
develop inadequately, heighten susceptibility to diseases
◉bull thistle. Answer: biennial; rose to reddish purple stiff spines,
course hairs top, whitish hairs bottom; common during cooler
seasons on poor open turf
◉Mouseear chickweed. Answer: perennial, shallow, fibrous roots
weak hairy spreading stems;occurs in cool moist shaded areas
◉Yellow nutsedge. Answer: perennial; reproduces by tubers
(nutlets), scaly rhizomes, upper surface is shiny/waxy lower is dull;
occurs with pH 0f 5-7
◉Wild Garlic. Answer: cool season perennial; bulb forming; two-
ranked slender leaves; occurs in poorly drained
TURFGRASS EXAMINATION TEST 2026
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉best time of year to fertilize. Answer: early September with early
May second best and if 3rd application necessary then late fall
◉Never apply more than 1 pound of soluble nitrogen per ______
square feet. Answer: 1,000
◉Properly cultivate grass. Answer: when turf is actively growing;
reduces soil compaction and improves water and grass infiltration.
NEVER do when turf stress or weed germinate
◉How often should you scout. Answer: 1-2 times per
month;beginning when turf turns green in spring
◉Most common turf insects in Illinois. Answer: White grubs
◉benefits of mapping. Answer: locations of previous pests
, ◉two ways weeds are commonly controlled. Answer: cultural
practice and herbicides
◉Never remove more than how much when mowing. Answer: one-
third
◉overfertilization can cause?. Answer: will burn turf, cause roots to
develop inadequately, heighten susceptibility to diseases
◉bull thistle. Answer: biennial; rose to reddish purple stiff spines,
course hairs top, whitish hairs bottom; common during cooler
seasons on poor open turf
◉Mouseear chickweed. Answer: perennial, shallow, fibrous roots
weak hairy spreading stems;occurs in cool moist shaded areas
◉Yellow nutsedge. Answer: perennial; reproduces by tubers
(nutlets), scaly rhizomes, upper surface is shiny/waxy lower is dull;
occurs with pH 0f 5-7
◉Wild Garlic. Answer: cool season perennial; bulb forming; two-
ranked slender leaves; occurs in poorly drained
