Ornamental/Turf pesticide applicator's
licence exam study guide 2025
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
licence exam study guide 2025
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
