Ornamental and Turf Pesticide Applicators Exam
2026 Iowa Practice Guide
1. How can tiny They can be found by tapping the leaves against a white index card several times
mites on junipers
and evergreens
be found?
2. What is Phytotox- Plant damage caused by pesticides
icity?
3. Resistance from Using the same pesticide over and over again
pesticides comes
from...
4. Pesticides in the Are eventually broken down by bacteria and fungi
soil...
5. When should you When pests are abundant enough to cause unacceptable damage
apply a pesticide?
6. In an IPM Produce healthy plants that can resist pests
program you
should...
7. Which is true? Ditterent diseases and insects can cause the same symptoms
8. Which is false? Record keeping takes more time than it is worth
9. What is Thatch? The layer of living and dead plant stems, leaves, and roots that develops between
the soil surface and green vegetation
10. What does prop- Using sharp blades to make a clean cut
er mowing
mean?
11. Water thoroughly when you first see wilting
, Ornamental and Turf Pesticide Applicators Exam
2026 Iowa Practice Guide
To promote
healthy turf and
reduce disease...
12. When fertilizing... Determine fertilizer need through results of a soil test
13. Which is false? Thatch should be a least 2 inches thick to keep soil cool
14. Cool-season culti- Can be mixed to minimize disease
vars...
15. Good soil Promotes healthy turfgrass
drainage...
16. Which is false? Do not fertilize turf that is infected with Dollar spot
17. What are some 1.) They attack turf
characteristics of 2.) They hide in burrows (or aeration holes) during the day and at night they clip
cutworms? the turf surrounding the burrow, resulting in brown streaks or circles on the lawn
18. What are some 1.) The fall army worm and yellow striped army worm are more commonly found
characteristics of in the southern and transition turf ones.
Armyworms? 2.) The sometimes feed together and "mow" the turf
3.) Has continuous generations through the year
19. What are some 1.) Use soap and water method to find webworms
characteristics of 2.) Spin silk webbing at the base of grass crowns
Sod Webworms? 3.) They winter as Caterpillars in protective webbing and in spring they feed rapidly
and molt into the pupal stage.
20. What are some 1.) They are grubs
characteristics of 2.) Billbug damage is easy to diagnose boy gabbing hold of the turf and PULLING
Billbugs? OR ROLLING IT BACK
2026 Iowa Practice Guide
1. How can tiny They can be found by tapping the leaves against a white index card several times
mites on junipers
and evergreens
be found?
2. What is Phytotox- Plant damage caused by pesticides
icity?
3. Resistance from Using the same pesticide over and over again
pesticides comes
from...
4. Pesticides in the Are eventually broken down by bacteria and fungi
soil...
5. When should you When pests are abundant enough to cause unacceptable damage
apply a pesticide?
6. In an IPM Produce healthy plants that can resist pests
program you
should...
7. Which is true? Ditterent diseases and insects can cause the same symptoms
8. Which is false? Record keeping takes more time than it is worth
9. What is Thatch? The layer of living and dead plant stems, leaves, and roots that develops between
the soil surface and green vegetation
10. What does prop- Using sharp blades to make a clean cut
er mowing
mean?
11. Water thoroughly when you first see wilting
, Ornamental and Turf Pesticide Applicators Exam
2026 Iowa Practice Guide
To promote
healthy turf and
reduce disease...
12. When fertilizing... Determine fertilizer need through results of a soil test
13. Which is false? Thatch should be a least 2 inches thick to keep soil cool
14. Cool-season culti- Can be mixed to minimize disease
vars...
15. Good soil Promotes healthy turfgrass
drainage...
16. Which is false? Do not fertilize turf that is infected with Dollar spot
17. What are some 1.) They attack turf
characteristics of 2.) They hide in burrows (or aeration holes) during the day and at night they clip
cutworms? the turf surrounding the burrow, resulting in brown streaks or circles on the lawn
18. What are some 1.) The fall army worm and yellow striped army worm are more commonly found
characteristics of in the southern and transition turf ones.
Armyworms? 2.) The sometimes feed together and "mow" the turf
3.) Has continuous generations through the year
19. What are some 1.) Use soap and water method to find webworms
characteristics of 2.) Spin silk webbing at the base of grass crowns
Sod Webworms? 3.) They winter as Caterpillars in protective webbing and in spring they feed rapidly
and molt into the pupal stage.
20. What are some 1.) They are grubs
characteristics of 2.) Billbug damage is easy to diagnose boy gabbing hold of the turf and PULLING
Billbugs? OR ROLLING IT BACK
