ORNAMENTAL AND TURFGRASS PEST
MANAGEMENT EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Explain the role of traps in monitoring turf insects. - Answer-1. Predict when damage
could occur, 2. See amount/number of insects to determine control methods.
Describe four pest-control problems caused by a thick thatch layer. - Answer-1. Winter
shelter for pests, 2. Creates humidity zone for sod webworms, cutworms, and chinch
bugs. 3. Billbug larvae and white grubs feed on thatch. 4. Hinders movement of
pesticides and bio controls. 5. Prevent irrigation/rain from reaching the soil, won't wet in
pesticides.
Describe three types of organisms used in biological control of turf insects. - Answer-1.
Predators- seek out prey and attack them, 2. Parasites- wasps paralyze them, use as
food for larvae. Parasitic nematodes kills sod webworms, cutworms, billbugs, and white
grubs. 3. Pathogens-bacterial and fungal diseases; special handling required.
Explain why some insecticide formulations should be watered in. - Answer-Irrigation
before pesticide is applied will move insects closer to the soil surface, to be exposed.
Explain why a granular formulation would be used on a site without irrigation. - Answer-
They last longer than liquid formulations while waiting for rain.
Describe cultural management practices that will reduce weed problems in turf. -
Answer-Plant a species that is adapted to the site, mow at correct height, fertilize only
when turf is actively growing, dethatching or aerating at times when weed seeds are not
germinating, manage disease and insect pests to prevent thin areas, water infrequently
and deeply.
Describe a situation where a broad spectrum, non-selective herbicide could be used on
turf. - Answer-When you want to kill all plants, weeds, and desirables.
Explain when weather conditions might cause herbicide failure. - Answer-If too hot, cold,
dry, etc. weeds won't grow and absorb the herbicide in its leaves and roots, and won't
translocate through the plant. Too much rain can reduce effectiveness of preemergent.
Explain how to use herbicides to slow the development of resistant weeds. - Answer-1.
Making fewer herbicide applications, 2. using herbicides that have different modes of
action, 3. mowing to remove flowers before seeds form.
Identify the best time to control biennial weeds. - Answer-Kill them in their first year; all
broadleaf plants. Rosette forms are often overlooked.
, List two summer annual grasses and describe the best time to control them. - Answer-
Crabgrass, Goosegrass; apply in late winter/early spring;
Describe three problems that could cause failure of preemergence herbicide. - Answer-
1. Thatch; 2. weak grass; 3. emerged weeds
Describe the best approach to control undesirable perennial grasses. - Answer-Remove
by hand, spot-treat infested area, using a selective or non-selective, systemic herbicide.
Describe the best approach to control yellow nutsedge. - Answer-Late spring, before
new tuber production; apply herbicide every 2-3 weeks, until controlled.
Describe the best approach to control winter annuals. - Answer-mid to late fall and early
winter; postemergence heribicide
Describe the stage of plant growth and weather conditions that favor successful use of
postemergence herbicides. - Answer-When weeds are actively growing; remain on
leaves for several hours; rain can make it ineffective; bright sunlight, high humidity,
temps between 65 and 85 F.
Explain when herbicides can be used on newly seeded areas. - Answer-After several
mows (3 or 4)
Name the components of the disease pyramid. - Answer-1. susceptible host plant, 2. a
disease-causing pathogen, 3. a favorable environment for infections, 4. time for the
disease to develop.
Describe how understanding the disease pyramid components will help yo manage
disease problems in turf. - Answer-If one of the pyramid elements are missing, no
disease will occur.
Identify five cultural practices that change the environment for the pathogen. - Answer-
1. Irrigation, 2. air flow, 3. drainage, 4. compaction, 5. thatch
Explain the difference between diseases and disorders. - Answer-disease- caused by
pathogens, disorder- caused by unfavorable growing conditions.
Analyze a situation to tell whether you have plants infected by disease or stressed by
environmental conditions. - Answer-Examine the symptoms to tell between disease and
disorder. Diseases produce very specific symptoms (stand and plant). By eliminating
these, it is clear you have an environmental problem.
Describe stand symptoms of common turf diseases. - Answer-Evident from a distance;
spots, circles, patches, and rings.
MANAGEMENT EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Explain the role of traps in monitoring turf insects. - Answer-1. Predict when damage
could occur, 2. See amount/number of insects to determine control methods.
Describe four pest-control problems caused by a thick thatch layer. - Answer-1. Winter
shelter for pests, 2. Creates humidity zone for sod webworms, cutworms, and chinch
bugs. 3. Billbug larvae and white grubs feed on thatch. 4. Hinders movement of
pesticides and bio controls. 5. Prevent irrigation/rain from reaching the soil, won't wet in
pesticides.
Describe three types of organisms used in biological control of turf insects. - Answer-1.
Predators- seek out prey and attack them, 2. Parasites- wasps paralyze them, use as
food for larvae. Parasitic nematodes kills sod webworms, cutworms, billbugs, and white
grubs. 3. Pathogens-bacterial and fungal diseases; special handling required.
Explain why some insecticide formulations should be watered in. - Answer-Irrigation
before pesticide is applied will move insects closer to the soil surface, to be exposed.
Explain why a granular formulation would be used on a site without irrigation. - Answer-
They last longer than liquid formulations while waiting for rain.
Describe cultural management practices that will reduce weed problems in turf. -
Answer-Plant a species that is adapted to the site, mow at correct height, fertilize only
when turf is actively growing, dethatching or aerating at times when weed seeds are not
germinating, manage disease and insect pests to prevent thin areas, water infrequently
and deeply.
Describe a situation where a broad spectrum, non-selective herbicide could be used on
turf. - Answer-When you want to kill all plants, weeds, and desirables.
Explain when weather conditions might cause herbicide failure. - Answer-If too hot, cold,
dry, etc. weeds won't grow and absorb the herbicide in its leaves and roots, and won't
translocate through the plant. Too much rain can reduce effectiveness of preemergent.
Explain how to use herbicides to slow the development of resistant weeds. - Answer-1.
Making fewer herbicide applications, 2. using herbicides that have different modes of
action, 3. mowing to remove flowers before seeds form.
Identify the best time to control biennial weeds. - Answer-Kill them in their first year; all
broadleaf plants. Rosette forms are often overlooked.
, List two summer annual grasses and describe the best time to control them. - Answer-
Crabgrass, Goosegrass; apply in late winter/early spring;
Describe three problems that could cause failure of preemergence herbicide. - Answer-
1. Thatch; 2. weak grass; 3. emerged weeds
Describe the best approach to control undesirable perennial grasses. - Answer-Remove
by hand, spot-treat infested area, using a selective or non-selective, systemic herbicide.
Describe the best approach to control yellow nutsedge. - Answer-Late spring, before
new tuber production; apply herbicide every 2-3 weeks, until controlled.
Describe the best approach to control winter annuals. - Answer-mid to late fall and early
winter; postemergence heribicide
Describe the stage of plant growth and weather conditions that favor successful use of
postemergence herbicides. - Answer-When weeds are actively growing; remain on
leaves for several hours; rain can make it ineffective; bright sunlight, high humidity,
temps between 65 and 85 F.
Explain when herbicides can be used on newly seeded areas. - Answer-After several
mows (3 or 4)
Name the components of the disease pyramid. - Answer-1. susceptible host plant, 2. a
disease-causing pathogen, 3. a favorable environment for infections, 4. time for the
disease to develop.
Describe how understanding the disease pyramid components will help yo manage
disease problems in turf. - Answer-If one of the pyramid elements are missing, no
disease will occur.
Identify five cultural practices that change the environment for the pathogen. - Answer-
1. Irrigation, 2. air flow, 3. drainage, 4. compaction, 5. thatch
Explain the difference between diseases and disorders. - Answer-disease- caused by
pathogens, disorder- caused by unfavorable growing conditions.
Analyze a situation to tell whether you have plants infected by disease or stressed by
environmental conditions. - Answer-Examine the symptoms to tell between disease and
disorder. Diseases produce very specific symptoms (stand and plant). By eliminating
these, it is clear you have an environmental problem.
Describe stand symptoms of common turf diseases. - Answer-Evident from a distance;
spots, circles, patches, and rings.
