Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator
Certification Category 8 (Turf Pest Control)
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which turfgrass pest causes irregular brown patches that can be
pulled up like a carpet due to root damage?
A. Sod webworm
B. Chinch bug
C. White grub
D. Billbug
Answer: C
White grubs feed on turfgrass roots, severing the plant from the soil.
This causes turf to wilt, brown, and lift easily, which is a classic
diagnostic sign used in turf pest control.
, 2. The most effective timing for applying grub control insecticides is:
A. Early spring before egg hatch
B. Mid to late summer when grubs are small
C. Late fall after frost
D. Winter dormancy
Answer: B
Grub control products are most effective when larvae are young and
actively feeding near the soil surface, typically in mid to late summer.
3. Which pest is commonly associated with sunny, drought-stressed
lawns and causes yellowing that spreads outward?
A. Cutworms
B. Chinch bugs
C. Armyworms
D. Crane fly larvae
Answer: B
Chinch bugs thrive in hot, dry conditions and damage turf by sucking
plant juices and injecting toxins, leading to expanding yellow or brown
patches.
, 4. A key identifying feature of sod webworm damage is:
A. Turf easily rolling back
B. Large soil mounds
C. Irregular brown patches with small moths flying at dusk
D. Uniform discoloration
Answer: C
Sod webworm larvae feed at night, and adult moths are often seen
flying low over turf in the evening, which helps confirm their presence.
5. Which insect pest feeds inside turfgrass stems, causing dead
patches that resemble drought stress?
A. White grubs
B. Billbugs
C. Flea beetles
D. Mole crickets
Answer: B
Billbug larvae bore into stems and crowns, disrupting water movement
and killing turf plants from the inside.
, 6. Which turf disease is favored by cool, wet spring and fall
conditions?
A. Brown patch
B. Dollar spot
C. Red thread
D. Pythium blight
Answer: C
Red thread develops in cool, moist conditions and is often associated
with low nitrogen fertility.
7. Dollar spot disease is most likely to occur when:
A. Nitrogen levels are high
B. Soil pH is acidic
C. Nitrogen fertility is low
D. Soil moisture is excessive
Answer: C
Dollar spot is strongly linked to low nitrogen availability and often
improves with proper fertility management.
Certification Category 8 (Turf Pest Control)
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which turfgrass pest causes irregular brown patches that can be
pulled up like a carpet due to root damage?
A. Sod webworm
B. Chinch bug
C. White grub
D. Billbug
Answer: C
White grubs feed on turfgrass roots, severing the plant from the soil.
This causes turf to wilt, brown, and lift easily, which is a classic
diagnostic sign used in turf pest control.
, 2. The most effective timing for applying grub control insecticides is:
A. Early spring before egg hatch
B. Mid to late summer when grubs are small
C. Late fall after frost
D. Winter dormancy
Answer: B
Grub control products are most effective when larvae are young and
actively feeding near the soil surface, typically in mid to late summer.
3. Which pest is commonly associated with sunny, drought-stressed
lawns and causes yellowing that spreads outward?
A. Cutworms
B. Chinch bugs
C. Armyworms
D. Crane fly larvae
Answer: B
Chinch bugs thrive in hot, dry conditions and damage turf by sucking
plant juices and injecting toxins, leading to expanding yellow or brown
patches.
, 4. A key identifying feature of sod webworm damage is:
A. Turf easily rolling back
B. Large soil mounds
C. Irregular brown patches with small moths flying at dusk
D. Uniform discoloration
Answer: C
Sod webworm larvae feed at night, and adult moths are often seen
flying low over turf in the evening, which helps confirm their presence.
5. Which insect pest feeds inside turfgrass stems, causing dead
patches that resemble drought stress?
A. White grubs
B. Billbugs
C. Flea beetles
D. Mole crickets
Answer: B
Billbug larvae bore into stems and crowns, disrupting water movement
and killing turf plants from the inside.
, 6. Which turf disease is favored by cool, wet spring and fall
conditions?
A. Brown patch
B. Dollar spot
C. Red thread
D. Pythium blight
Answer: C
Red thread develops in cool, moist conditions and is often associated
with low nitrogen fertility.
7. Dollar spot disease is most likely to occur when:
A. Nitrogen levels are high
B. Soil pH is acidic
C. Nitrogen fertility is low
D. Soil moisture is excessive
Answer: C
Dollar spot is strongly linked to low nitrogen availability and often
improves with proper fertility management.
