WISCONSIN PESTICIDE APPLICATOR EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2025 | TURF & LANDSCAPE | COMPLETE
VERSION (ALL CHAPTERS)||ALREADY GRADED
A+||BRAND NEW!!!
Ch.1 List the general kinds of damage insect pests can cause -CORRECT ANSWER -
Chew on seeds, roots, leaves, stems, & fruits
-Tunnel in roots, stems, & leaves
-Suck plant juices
-Promote gall formation and other malformations
-Inject toxins into plants -Transmit diseases to plants
-Create a nuisance for people
Ch.1 Describe the structural features of insects -CORRECT ANSWER Insects have:
body form has 3 regions: head, thorax, abdomen; 3 pairs of legs attached to thorax; 0,
1, or 2 pairs of wings attached to thorax; 1 pair of antennae
Ch.1 Explain how to distinguish insects from other arthropods -CORRECT ANSWER
Arthropods have: exoskeleton; body form has 2 regions: head & abdomen; usually 4
pairs of legs attached to head; no wings; no antennae
Ch.1 Contrast the difference between simple and complete metamorphosis -CORRECT
ANSWER -Simple: "Incomplete Metamorphosis"; 3 stages: egg, nymph, & adult
-Complete: 4 distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, & adult
Ch.1 Explain how temperature and humidity affect insect development -CORRECT
ANSWER *Temperature & humidity preferences vary for each insect.
*Combined effect of both on reproduction & development is more dramatically different
than the effect of either alone.
-Temperature: development is faster with heat & slower with cold temps; insects die at
the high levels of developmental threshold temps and become inactive at low levels
-Humidity: effects insect diseases; effects moisture levels required for survival
Ch.1 List the advantages and disadvantages of using insecticides -CORRECT
ANSWER Advantages:
-Effective against economically damaging pests
-Can combine 1 or 2 insecticides to combat several pests
-They act quickly to control pests before reaching damaging levels
-For new pests, there are many compounds that have been proven effective
,-Effective insecticides, suitable formulations, & application equipment are normally
available
Disadvantages:
-Often eliminate beneficial insects, allowing target organisms to rebound quickly
-Repeated exposure can lead to resistance in a pest population
-Yearly dependence on applications is an added cost
-Always a potential for drift, residues, and damage
Ch.2 Explain what determines whether a given plant is a weed -CORRECT ANSWER
Weeds are unwanted plants
Ch.2 List the two main goals of weed management -CORRECT ANSWER 1. Minimize
weed competition
2. Limit the weed's reproduction so that you can still manage the weed population in
future years
Ch.2 Describe ways that weeds can pose problems in turf and landscapes (7) -
CORRECT ANSWER -Interfere with management practices
-Produce chemical inhibitors that directly retard the growth of desirable plants
(allelopathy)
-Create a poor impression on customers
-Interferes with pesticide applications
-Support insect pests and plant diseases or provide cover for rodents
-Are poisonous, allergenic, or irritating to people or pets
-Dry out or die and become fire hazards
Ch.2 Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and woody from herbaceous plants -
CORRECT ANSWER -Grasses (Monocots): most common weeds; have a single seed
leaf (cotyledon) when they germinate; narrow leaves with parallel viens
-Broadleaves (Dicots): have 2 seed leaves when they germinate; veins form a net-like
or branching pattern; can be broken down into Woody and Herbaceous plants
--> Woody: have thickened outer layer on stems (bark)
--> Herbaceous: lacks bark
Ch. 2 Describe the life cycles and propagation of annual, biennial, and perennial plants -
CORRECT ANSWER -Annuals: live less than 12 months; most seeds germinate the
following year, some are dormant taking several years; prolific seed producers.
--> Summer Annuals: germinate from seed in spring, flower/produce seeds in summer,
die in late summer/early fall.
--> Winter Annuals: germinate from seed in fall, overwinter as low-growing plants,
flower/produce seeds in spring, then die.
-Biennials: live for 2 growing seasons; germinate from seeds in spring or summer and
produce a rosette of leaves, overwinter in rosette stage, flower the following year,
produce seed, and die.
-Perennials: live for at least 2 years, sometimes longer; may reproduce by seed or
spread vegetatively (stolons, rhizomes, spreading roots, tubers, bulbs)
,Ch.2 Outline what is needed to kill annual, biennial, and perennial weeds and when it is
easiest to do so -CORRECT ANSWER -Annuals: kill the whole shoot by tillage or with
herbicides during seeding stage.
--> Summer Annuals: kill with tillage or herbicides during seeding stage.
--> Winter Annuals: kill with tillage or herbicides during seeding stage.
-Biennials: best controlled with herbicides during rosette stage.
Perennials: controlled by repeatedly tilling or with herbicides that translocates to all plant
parts.
Ch.2 Distinguish the difference between preplant, preemergence, and postemergence
herbicide applications -CORRECT ANSWER -Preplant: done before planting.
-Preemergence: usually (not always) done after planting but before plants/weeds
emerge.
-Postemergence: done selectively after plants/weeds emerge; timing is important; if the
desirable plant is smaller or larger than the growth stage listed on the label, it may be
damaged by the herbicide.
Ch.2 Explain the effects of soil texture, organic matter, and pH and herbicide
persistence on herbicide activity -CORRECT ANSWER -Fine textured soils or soils with
high organic matter often require higher herbicide rates than soils with coarser texture
or low organic matter.
-Some herbicides prohibit product use on certain soils with a light texture, low organic
matter, or high pH to guard against excessive plant damage or herbicide persistence.
-Excessive leaching on sandy soils with shallow water tables may result in groundwater
contamination.
Ch.2 Describe how and when to make a basal-bark treatment -CORRECT ANSWER -
Apply spray to lower 18 inches of stems
-Thoroughly wet stem, crown, and exposed roots
-Can make treatments throughout the year as long as the bark is not wet or when snow
or water prevent spraying to the ground
Ch.2 Describe how and when to make an effective cut-stump treatment -CORRECT
ANSWER -Recommended for plants with thick bark or trunk is greater than 5 inches in
diameter.
-Thoroughly wet plant so runoff covers barks, crown buds, exposed roots, root collar,
outer portion of cut surface.
-Should be applied to cut surface before exposed plant tissue dries, within 2-3 hours.
Ch.2 List steps to take when applying herbicides to minimize adverse effects in urban
areas -CORRECT ANSWER -Prevent spray drift, drift of volatile products, runoff.
-Spray when weeds are most susceptible so the minimum amount of herbicide results in
maximum weed control.
-Use less volatile formations
-Apply on days when temps are less than 80 degrees F
, -Avoid spraying during midsummer; garden plants and vegetables are more susceptible.
-Avoid applying herbicides on dry, compacted soils
-Keep pesticides off impermeable surfaces
Chapter 2 Know the Law -CORRECT ANSWER State and local laws require
landowners to control certain weeds to prevent their spread and distribution
Ch.3 Define plant disease and what causes it -CORRECT ANSWER Any harmful
change in the physiology and/or structure of a plant caused by some outside agent.
Ch.3 List examples of the major groups of plant pathogens (7) -CORRECT ANSWER -
Fungi (blights)
-Oomycetes (downy mildews) -Nematodes (root rot)
-Bacteria (fire blight
-Phytoplasmas (corn stunts)
-Viruses (soybean mosaic)-Viroids (potato spindle tuber)
Ch.3 Describe how the major groups of plant pathogens are spread from plant to plant -
CORRECT ANSWER -Fungi: wind, rain splash, insect vectors
-Oomycetes: wind, rain splash, transfer of infested soil
-Nematodes: transfer of infested soil, infested planting stock
-Bacteria: rain splash, insect vectors, tools
-Phytoplasmas: only by insect vectors
-Viruses: insect vectors, mechanical transmission, rubbing of infected leaf to another,
seed borne, vegetative propagation
-Viroids: mechanical transmission, vegetative propagation
Ch.3 List the four prerequisites for plant disease to occur -CORRECT ANSWER 1. A
pathogen population capable of causing disease
2. A host that is susceptible to infection by that pathogen population
3. Environmental conditions that favor disease development
4. Sufficient time for disease to actually develop
Ch.3 Describe clues that help you distinguish plant diseases from plant injury -
CORRECT ANSWER -Disease: starts small, gradually increases in size and severity
over several days.
-Injury: appears suddenly in a uniform pattern
Ch.3 List factors that call for using pesticides to control plant diseases (4) -CORRECT
ANSWER 1. Other control practices are unavailable or inadequate
2. The plant has high aesthetic value or its use allows little tolerance for disease
3. Quality is reduced by even a low level of disease
4. A sudden and unexpected disease outbreak occurs
Ch.3 List some of the uses and limitations of soil fungicides -CORRECT ANSWER
Uses: act as protectants
GUIDE 2025 | TURF & LANDSCAPE | COMPLETE
VERSION (ALL CHAPTERS)||ALREADY GRADED
A+||BRAND NEW!!!
Ch.1 List the general kinds of damage insect pests can cause -CORRECT ANSWER -
Chew on seeds, roots, leaves, stems, & fruits
-Tunnel in roots, stems, & leaves
-Suck plant juices
-Promote gall formation and other malformations
-Inject toxins into plants -Transmit diseases to plants
-Create a nuisance for people
Ch.1 Describe the structural features of insects -CORRECT ANSWER Insects have:
body form has 3 regions: head, thorax, abdomen; 3 pairs of legs attached to thorax; 0,
1, or 2 pairs of wings attached to thorax; 1 pair of antennae
Ch.1 Explain how to distinguish insects from other arthropods -CORRECT ANSWER
Arthropods have: exoskeleton; body form has 2 regions: head & abdomen; usually 4
pairs of legs attached to head; no wings; no antennae
Ch.1 Contrast the difference between simple and complete metamorphosis -CORRECT
ANSWER -Simple: "Incomplete Metamorphosis"; 3 stages: egg, nymph, & adult
-Complete: 4 distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, & adult
Ch.1 Explain how temperature and humidity affect insect development -CORRECT
ANSWER *Temperature & humidity preferences vary for each insect.
*Combined effect of both on reproduction & development is more dramatically different
than the effect of either alone.
-Temperature: development is faster with heat & slower with cold temps; insects die at
the high levels of developmental threshold temps and become inactive at low levels
-Humidity: effects insect diseases; effects moisture levels required for survival
Ch.1 List the advantages and disadvantages of using insecticides -CORRECT
ANSWER Advantages:
-Effective against economically damaging pests
-Can combine 1 or 2 insecticides to combat several pests
-They act quickly to control pests before reaching damaging levels
-For new pests, there are many compounds that have been proven effective
,-Effective insecticides, suitable formulations, & application equipment are normally
available
Disadvantages:
-Often eliminate beneficial insects, allowing target organisms to rebound quickly
-Repeated exposure can lead to resistance in a pest population
-Yearly dependence on applications is an added cost
-Always a potential for drift, residues, and damage
Ch.2 Explain what determines whether a given plant is a weed -CORRECT ANSWER
Weeds are unwanted plants
Ch.2 List the two main goals of weed management -CORRECT ANSWER 1. Minimize
weed competition
2. Limit the weed's reproduction so that you can still manage the weed population in
future years
Ch.2 Describe ways that weeds can pose problems in turf and landscapes (7) -
CORRECT ANSWER -Interfere with management practices
-Produce chemical inhibitors that directly retard the growth of desirable plants
(allelopathy)
-Create a poor impression on customers
-Interferes with pesticide applications
-Support insect pests and plant diseases or provide cover for rodents
-Are poisonous, allergenic, or irritating to people or pets
-Dry out or die and become fire hazards
Ch.2 Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and woody from herbaceous plants -
CORRECT ANSWER -Grasses (Monocots): most common weeds; have a single seed
leaf (cotyledon) when they germinate; narrow leaves with parallel viens
-Broadleaves (Dicots): have 2 seed leaves when they germinate; veins form a net-like
or branching pattern; can be broken down into Woody and Herbaceous plants
--> Woody: have thickened outer layer on stems (bark)
--> Herbaceous: lacks bark
Ch. 2 Describe the life cycles and propagation of annual, biennial, and perennial plants -
CORRECT ANSWER -Annuals: live less than 12 months; most seeds germinate the
following year, some are dormant taking several years; prolific seed producers.
--> Summer Annuals: germinate from seed in spring, flower/produce seeds in summer,
die in late summer/early fall.
--> Winter Annuals: germinate from seed in fall, overwinter as low-growing plants,
flower/produce seeds in spring, then die.
-Biennials: live for 2 growing seasons; germinate from seeds in spring or summer and
produce a rosette of leaves, overwinter in rosette stage, flower the following year,
produce seed, and die.
-Perennials: live for at least 2 years, sometimes longer; may reproduce by seed or
spread vegetatively (stolons, rhizomes, spreading roots, tubers, bulbs)
,Ch.2 Outline what is needed to kill annual, biennial, and perennial weeds and when it is
easiest to do so -CORRECT ANSWER -Annuals: kill the whole shoot by tillage or with
herbicides during seeding stage.
--> Summer Annuals: kill with tillage or herbicides during seeding stage.
--> Winter Annuals: kill with tillage or herbicides during seeding stage.
-Biennials: best controlled with herbicides during rosette stage.
Perennials: controlled by repeatedly tilling or with herbicides that translocates to all plant
parts.
Ch.2 Distinguish the difference between preplant, preemergence, and postemergence
herbicide applications -CORRECT ANSWER -Preplant: done before planting.
-Preemergence: usually (not always) done after planting but before plants/weeds
emerge.
-Postemergence: done selectively after plants/weeds emerge; timing is important; if the
desirable plant is smaller or larger than the growth stage listed on the label, it may be
damaged by the herbicide.
Ch.2 Explain the effects of soil texture, organic matter, and pH and herbicide
persistence on herbicide activity -CORRECT ANSWER -Fine textured soils or soils with
high organic matter often require higher herbicide rates than soils with coarser texture
or low organic matter.
-Some herbicides prohibit product use on certain soils with a light texture, low organic
matter, or high pH to guard against excessive plant damage or herbicide persistence.
-Excessive leaching on sandy soils with shallow water tables may result in groundwater
contamination.
Ch.2 Describe how and when to make a basal-bark treatment -CORRECT ANSWER -
Apply spray to lower 18 inches of stems
-Thoroughly wet stem, crown, and exposed roots
-Can make treatments throughout the year as long as the bark is not wet or when snow
or water prevent spraying to the ground
Ch.2 Describe how and when to make an effective cut-stump treatment -CORRECT
ANSWER -Recommended for plants with thick bark or trunk is greater than 5 inches in
diameter.
-Thoroughly wet plant so runoff covers barks, crown buds, exposed roots, root collar,
outer portion of cut surface.
-Should be applied to cut surface before exposed plant tissue dries, within 2-3 hours.
Ch.2 List steps to take when applying herbicides to minimize adverse effects in urban
areas -CORRECT ANSWER -Prevent spray drift, drift of volatile products, runoff.
-Spray when weeds are most susceptible so the minimum amount of herbicide results in
maximum weed control.
-Use less volatile formations
-Apply on days when temps are less than 80 degrees F
, -Avoid spraying during midsummer; garden plants and vegetables are more susceptible.
-Avoid applying herbicides on dry, compacted soils
-Keep pesticides off impermeable surfaces
Chapter 2 Know the Law -CORRECT ANSWER State and local laws require
landowners to control certain weeds to prevent their spread and distribution
Ch.3 Define plant disease and what causes it -CORRECT ANSWER Any harmful
change in the physiology and/or structure of a plant caused by some outside agent.
Ch.3 List examples of the major groups of plant pathogens (7) -CORRECT ANSWER -
Fungi (blights)
-Oomycetes (downy mildews) -Nematodes (root rot)
-Bacteria (fire blight
-Phytoplasmas (corn stunts)
-Viruses (soybean mosaic)-Viroids (potato spindle tuber)
Ch.3 Describe how the major groups of plant pathogens are spread from plant to plant -
CORRECT ANSWER -Fungi: wind, rain splash, insect vectors
-Oomycetes: wind, rain splash, transfer of infested soil
-Nematodes: transfer of infested soil, infested planting stock
-Bacteria: rain splash, insect vectors, tools
-Phytoplasmas: only by insect vectors
-Viruses: insect vectors, mechanical transmission, rubbing of infected leaf to another,
seed borne, vegetative propagation
-Viroids: mechanical transmission, vegetative propagation
Ch.3 List the four prerequisites for plant disease to occur -CORRECT ANSWER 1. A
pathogen population capable of causing disease
2. A host that is susceptible to infection by that pathogen population
3. Environmental conditions that favor disease development
4. Sufficient time for disease to actually develop
Ch.3 Describe clues that help you distinguish plant diseases from plant injury -
CORRECT ANSWER -Disease: starts small, gradually increases in size and severity
over several days.
-Injury: appears suddenly in a uniform pattern
Ch.3 List factors that call for using pesticides to control plant diseases (4) -CORRECT
ANSWER 1. Other control practices are unavailable or inadequate
2. The plant has high aesthetic value or its use allows little tolerance for disease
3. Quality is reduced by even a low level of disease
4. A sudden and unexpected disease outbreak occurs
Ch.3 List some of the uses and limitations of soil fungicides -CORRECT ANSWER
Uses: act as protectants
