MI Right-of-Way Pest Management Exam
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
_____ is the use of all available tactics or strategies to manage pests so that acceptable control can be
achieved. - CORRECT ANSWER IPM (integrated pest management)
Why must weeds and woody plants be managed on rights-of-way? - CORRECT ANSWER For
safety, access to facilities, decrease maintenance costs, reliability of service, and for other benefits like
aesthetics, wildlife, and environmental protection
True or False: The first component of an effective pest management program is pest identification. -
CORRECT ANSWER True
When identifying a pest, what other information should be collected about the pest? - CORRECT
ANSWER Pest life cycles, physiology, reproductive potential, and the past control results
List several examples of different sites that might have site specific requirements. - CORRECT
ANSWER -Urban, suburban, or rural areas
-Dry upland or lowland and wetland areas
-Popular tourist, scenic areas, or recreational areas
-Wildlife habitat such as critical nesting habitat or winter feeding grounds
Why should you monitor your control strategies? What information should be recorded? - CORRECT
ANSWER Monitor control strategies so that adjustments can be made when necessary.
Records should include: control measures and start date for each, rate for any pesticides that were
applied, identification of equipment and crew, environmental conditions, evaluation of effectiveness,
problems encountered or complaints reported, any damage claims
List the four categories of control methods and briefly explain each. - CORRECT
ANSWER Mechanical - may be mechanical or manual removal, cutting, etc.
Biological - work to enhance the effects of natural enemies of pests
Chemical - use herbicides/pesticides
,Cultural - create optimal growing conditions for the plants you want to preserve or unfavorable
conditions for the pest
How does shading work as a cultural control? Where is it often used? - CORRECT
ANSWER Block sunlight from unwanted plants to keep them from growing; often used in
aquatic ecosystems to control weeds by shading them with black plastic, adding dye to the water, or
other methods of blocking sunlight
How have public attitudes changed about vegetation and its control in rights-of-way? - CORRECT
ANSWER Only certain plant species are considered undesirable, so others are usually left on
the right-of-way for other benefits
Why is it important to protect wetlands? - CORRECT ANSWER Because they are declining
and they are valuable ecosystems because they protect wildlife, minimize bank and shoreline erosion,
improve water quality, provide recreational activities, and act as water storage during flooding
List four stages of weed development and briefly describe each. - CORRECT
ANSWER Seedling - small, vulnerable plantlets
Vegetative - rapid growth producing stems, roots, and foliage, uptake of water and nutrients is rapid
Seed production - energy directed toward production of seed, uptake of water and nutrient is slow and
directed towards flower, fruit, and seed structure
Maturity - little or no energy production or movement of water and nutrients
List the three plant types and briefly describe each. - CORRECT ANSWER Annuals - grow
from seed, mature, and produce seed in one year or less
Biennials - plants with two-year life cycle
Perennials - plants that live more than two years and may live indefinitely
Monocot vs. dicot plant - CORRECT ANSWER Monocot - only have one leaf
, Dicot - have two leaves when they emerge from the seed
True or false: Grasses may be annual or perennial. - CORRECT ANSWER True
How does a sedge differ from a grass? - CORRECT ANSWER Sedges have triangular stems
and three rows of leaves, while grasses only have one leaf.
Both sedges and grasses have narrow leaves with parallel veins
All actively growing broadleaf plants have _______ at the end of each stem and in each leaf axil. -
CORRECT ANSWER exposed growing points
True or false: trees are annual plants. - CORRECT ANSWER False
How do ferns reproduce? - CORRECT ANSWER Spores and creeping rhizomes
_______ plants live on and get their food from host plants. - CORRECT ANSWER Parasitic
seed
What are the classifications of aquatic plants? - CORRECT ANSWER Emergent - bulk of these
plants extend above the surface of the water
Floating - all or part of the plant floats on the surface
Submergent - all of the plant grows beneath the water surface
Algae - aquatic plants without true stems, leaves, or vascular systems
Do you need a permit from the Department of Natural Resources to control aquatic plants? -
CORRECT ANSWER Yes! Unless the pond is less than two acres, has no outlet, AND the
pesticides are not restricted use.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
_____ is the use of all available tactics or strategies to manage pests so that acceptable control can be
achieved. - CORRECT ANSWER IPM (integrated pest management)
Why must weeds and woody plants be managed on rights-of-way? - CORRECT ANSWER For
safety, access to facilities, decrease maintenance costs, reliability of service, and for other benefits like
aesthetics, wildlife, and environmental protection
True or False: The first component of an effective pest management program is pest identification. -
CORRECT ANSWER True
When identifying a pest, what other information should be collected about the pest? - CORRECT
ANSWER Pest life cycles, physiology, reproductive potential, and the past control results
List several examples of different sites that might have site specific requirements. - CORRECT
ANSWER -Urban, suburban, or rural areas
-Dry upland or lowland and wetland areas
-Popular tourist, scenic areas, or recreational areas
-Wildlife habitat such as critical nesting habitat or winter feeding grounds
Why should you monitor your control strategies? What information should be recorded? - CORRECT
ANSWER Monitor control strategies so that adjustments can be made when necessary.
Records should include: control measures and start date for each, rate for any pesticides that were
applied, identification of equipment and crew, environmental conditions, evaluation of effectiveness,
problems encountered or complaints reported, any damage claims
List the four categories of control methods and briefly explain each. - CORRECT
ANSWER Mechanical - may be mechanical or manual removal, cutting, etc.
Biological - work to enhance the effects of natural enemies of pests
Chemical - use herbicides/pesticides
,Cultural - create optimal growing conditions for the plants you want to preserve or unfavorable
conditions for the pest
How does shading work as a cultural control? Where is it often used? - CORRECT
ANSWER Block sunlight from unwanted plants to keep them from growing; often used in
aquatic ecosystems to control weeds by shading them with black plastic, adding dye to the water, or
other methods of blocking sunlight
How have public attitudes changed about vegetation and its control in rights-of-way? - CORRECT
ANSWER Only certain plant species are considered undesirable, so others are usually left on
the right-of-way for other benefits
Why is it important to protect wetlands? - CORRECT ANSWER Because they are declining
and they are valuable ecosystems because they protect wildlife, minimize bank and shoreline erosion,
improve water quality, provide recreational activities, and act as water storage during flooding
List four stages of weed development and briefly describe each. - CORRECT
ANSWER Seedling - small, vulnerable plantlets
Vegetative - rapid growth producing stems, roots, and foliage, uptake of water and nutrients is rapid
Seed production - energy directed toward production of seed, uptake of water and nutrient is slow and
directed towards flower, fruit, and seed structure
Maturity - little or no energy production or movement of water and nutrients
List the three plant types and briefly describe each. - CORRECT ANSWER Annuals - grow
from seed, mature, and produce seed in one year or less
Biennials - plants with two-year life cycle
Perennials - plants that live more than two years and may live indefinitely
Monocot vs. dicot plant - CORRECT ANSWER Monocot - only have one leaf
, Dicot - have two leaves when they emerge from the seed
True or false: Grasses may be annual or perennial. - CORRECT ANSWER True
How does a sedge differ from a grass? - CORRECT ANSWER Sedges have triangular stems
and three rows of leaves, while grasses only have one leaf.
Both sedges and grasses have narrow leaves with parallel veins
All actively growing broadleaf plants have _______ at the end of each stem and in each leaf axil. -
CORRECT ANSWER exposed growing points
True or false: trees are annual plants. - CORRECT ANSWER False
How do ferns reproduce? - CORRECT ANSWER Spores and creeping rhizomes
_______ plants live on and get their food from host plants. - CORRECT ANSWER Parasitic
seed
What are the classifications of aquatic plants? - CORRECT ANSWER Emergent - bulk of these
plants extend above the surface of the water
Floating - all or part of the plant floats on the surface
Submergent - all of the plant grows beneath the water surface
Algae - aquatic plants without true stems, leaves, or vascular systems
Do you need a permit from the Department of Natural Resources to control aquatic plants? -
CORRECT ANSWER Yes! Unless the pond is less than two acres, has no outlet, AND the
pesticides are not restricted use.
