TURF PEST CONTROL 3B KANSAS ACTUAL
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⫸ Why do pest management thresholds in turf vary? Answer: Pest
thresholds vary from site to site because they depend on site
characteristics and uses. For example, there may be zero tolerance for
pests of any sort on a gold green. On the other hand, there may be no
great need to control pests in the grassy areas of an industrial site.
However, setting thresholds in some sites - like a school athletic field or
playground - may not be simple and clear-cut. A thick, uniform surface
is ideal for play areas, for optimum utility and safety. This, in turn,
means the tolerance for pests is low. However reliance on pesticide use
may not be acceptable for some recreational sites, especially if the
primary users of that site are children.
⫸ What is the first, most basic step to take to manage pest problems?
Explain your answer. Answer: Use Best Management Practices (BMPs)
for initial design, installation, and maintenance programs. Begin by
selecting high quality, disease- and insect-free turfgrass. When possible,
plant or install resistant varieties. Choosing the right variety for the site
and use(s) is essential. Next, good cultural practices provide the best
conditions for plant health.
⫸ Why should you focus your attention on key pests, key varieties, or
key locations? Answer: They are most likely to cause problems. Key
pests, varieties, and locations require special monitoring and care.
,⫸ What is a "key pest"? Answer: A key pest is one that often reaches
population densities that justify management, and/or is capable of
causing unacceptable damage at relatively low densities, and/or attacks
and damages turfgrass(es) in conspicuous or valuable areas.
⫸ What is a "key variety"? Answer: A "key variety" has a special "high
profile" use. A variety that sustains damage from pests on a regular
basis, or has a particular pest that can kill or disfigure it in low densities,
would also be considered a "key variety."
⫸ Describe a site that would be considered a key location. Answer: Key
locations are heavily used or are significant in some way. Areas where
turfgrasses have chronic problems with pests, and/or areas that are near
something or someone requiring special protection are "key locations."
⫸ Name several things you need to make an accurate diagnosis of a pest
problem. Answer: Description of the type and extent of plant damage,
identification of the pest, familiarity with the life cycle of the pest, a
good estimation of the size and distribution of the pest population, and
an assessment of whether it is increasing or decreasing.
⫸ Define the term "Integrated Pest Management." List IPM tactics used
in turfgrass pest control. Answer: Integrated Pest Management refers to
the use of a combination of pest control tactics. IPM programs use many
types of techniques in a single plan or strategy to reduce pests and keep
their damage to an acceptable level. IPM tactics include monitoring and
early detection, sanitation, and cultural, mechanical (physical),
biological, and chemical control methods.
, ⫸ What is biological control? Give one example. Answer: Biological
control involves using some aspect of the pest's biology to control it.
One example is the uyse of natural enemies, biological agents that
control a pest. Turfgrass managers can preserve or encourage natural
enemies already present in the system. Alternatively, they can introduce
commercially produced biological organisms. Biological control also
includes the use of pheromones or juvenile hormones to control insects.
⫸ What are some factors that influence the success of biological
controls? Answer: Biological control agents usually target specific pests.
Biological control agents must be able to move to - or be placed in
contact with - the target pest. For that reason, application techniques
influence success. Adoption of biological control measures usually takes
careful planning and timing. Finally, biological control organisms must
be able to tolerate conditions at the site. To be sustainable, they must
persist from season to season.
⫸ What is cultural control? List several cultural control tactics used in
turf. Answer: Cultural control measures disrupt the normal relationship
between pest and host in order to prevent or suppress an infestation.
Cultural controls make the pest less likely to survive, grow, or
reproduce. They can involve changing the turf grass environment or its
physical condition. Cultural control measures may also change the
behavior of a pest. In turf, variety selection and proper establishment are
basic cultural control measures. Other practices employed in turf include
thatch management and proper mowing, watering, and fertilization
regimes. Aerating soil and cultivation practices that improve water
infiltration (spiking, vertical mowing, or coring) can help.
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⫸ Why do pest management thresholds in turf vary? Answer: Pest
thresholds vary from site to site because they depend on site
characteristics and uses. For example, there may be zero tolerance for
pests of any sort on a gold green. On the other hand, there may be no
great need to control pests in the grassy areas of an industrial site.
However, setting thresholds in some sites - like a school athletic field or
playground - may not be simple and clear-cut. A thick, uniform surface
is ideal for play areas, for optimum utility and safety. This, in turn,
means the tolerance for pests is low. However reliance on pesticide use
may not be acceptable for some recreational sites, especially if the
primary users of that site are children.
⫸ What is the first, most basic step to take to manage pest problems?
Explain your answer. Answer: Use Best Management Practices (BMPs)
for initial design, installation, and maintenance programs. Begin by
selecting high quality, disease- and insect-free turfgrass. When possible,
plant or install resistant varieties. Choosing the right variety for the site
and use(s) is essential. Next, good cultural practices provide the best
conditions for plant health.
⫸ Why should you focus your attention on key pests, key varieties, or
key locations? Answer: They are most likely to cause problems. Key
pests, varieties, and locations require special monitoring and care.
,⫸ What is a "key pest"? Answer: A key pest is one that often reaches
population densities that justify management, and/or is capable of
causing unacceptable damage at relatively low densities, and/or attacks
and damages turfgrass(es) in conspicuous or valuable areas.
⫸ What is a "key variety"? Answer: A "key variety" has a special "high
profile" use. A variety that sustains damage from pests on a regular
basis, or has a particular pest that can kill or disfigure it in low densities,
would also be considered a "key variety."
⫸ Describe a site that would be considered a key location. Answer: Key
locations are heavily used or are significant in some way. Areas where
turfgrasses have chronic problems with pests, and/or areas that are near
something or someone requiring special protection are "key locations."
⫸ Name several things you need to make an accurate diagnosis of a pest
problem. Answer: Description of the type and extent of plant damage,
identification of the pest, familiarity with the life cycle of the pest, a
good estimation of the size and distribution of the pest population, and
an assessment of whether it is increasing or decreasing.
⫸ Define the term "Integrated Pest Management." List IPM tactics used
in turfgrass pest control. Answer: Integrated Pest Management refers to
the use of a combination of pest control tactics. IPM programs use many
types of techniques in a single plan or strategy to reduce pests and keep
their damage to an acceptable level. IPM tactics include monitoring and
early detection, sanitation, and cultural, mechanical (physical),
biological, and chemical control methods.
, ⫸ What is biological control? Give one example. Answer: Biological
control involves using some aspect of the pest's biology to control it.
One example is the uyse of natural enemies, biological agents that
control a pest. Turfgrass managers can preserve or encourage natural
enemies already present in the system. Alternatively, they can introduce
commercially produced biological organisms. Biological control also
includes the use of pheromones or juvenile hormones to control insects.
⫸ What are some factors that influence the success of biological
controls? Answer: Biological control agents usually target specific pests.
Biological control agents must be able to move to - or be placed in
contact with - the target pest. For that reason, application techniques
influence success. Adoption of biological control measures usually takes
careful planning and timing. Finally, biological control organisms must
be able to tolerate conditions at the site. To be sustainable, they must
persist from season to season.
⫸ What is cultural control? List several cultural control tactics used in
turf. Answer: Cultural control measures disrupt the normal relationship
between pest and host in order to prevent or suppress an infestation.
Cultural controls make the pest less likely to survive, grow, or
reproduce. They can involve changing the turf grass environment or its
physical condition. Cultural control measures may also change the
behavior of a pest. In turf, variety selection and proper establishment are
basic cultural control measures. Other practices employed in turf include
thatch management and proper mowing, watering, and fertilization
regimes. Aerating soil and cultivation practices that improve water
infiltration (spiking, vertical mowing, or coring) can help.
