Page 1 of 130
Illinois Turf and Ornamental Pest Control Licensing
Exam Questions and Correct Answers with
EXPLANATIONS LATEST THIS YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage
The Illinois Turf and Ornamental Pest Control License allows commercial applicators to perform pest
control on trees, shrubs, ornamental plantings, turf areas, and sod farms .
Key Exam Topics (Turf & Ornamentals) :
1. Weed Identification & Control (Crabgrass, Dandelion, Clover, Nutsedge, Broadleaf/grassy weed
ID).
2. Insect Pests (White grubs, Japanese beetles, chinch bugs, scale, aphids, spider mites).
3. Disease Management (Brown patch, Dollar spot, Pythium blight, Rust, Powdery Mildew, Fire
blight).
4. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) / Cultural Practices (Mowing height, aeration, fertilization,
watering timing).
5. Pesticide Safety (PPE, phytotoxicity, environmental hazards, avoiding drift, proper mixing).
6. Pesticide Mode of Action (Systemic vs. Contact, Pre-emergent vs. Post-emergent, Herbicide
families).
7. Illinois-specific Regulations (License categories, recordkeeping, Worker Protection Standard).
1. What is the primary pest/disease issue often associated with Kentucky bluegrass lawns in Illinois?
A. Dollar spot
B. White grubs (Japanese beetle larvae)
C. Rust
D. Nematodes
Answer: B
, Page 2 of 130
White grubs are the most common insect pest of Kentucky bluegrass in Illinois because the larvae feed on
the roots, causing the turf to wilt and die .
2. What is the main mode of action of a systemic herbicide?
A. It kills the plant only on contact.
B. It is absorbed and translocated throughout the plant.
C. It only sterilizes the soil.
D. It works as a repellent.
Answer: B
Systemic herbicides (e.g., glyphosate) move through the plant’s vascular system, allowing them to kill
roots and shoots entirely, not just the sprayed leaves .
3. Which cultural practice is most effective at reducing turf disease pressure?
A. Watering in the evening.
B. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
C. Proper mowing height.
D. Heavy soil compaction.
Answer: C
, Page 3 of 130
Maintaining proper mowing height reduces plant stress and increases air circulation, which dries leaf
blades and prevents fungal spore germination .
4. What is the primary goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
A. To eradicate all pests instantly.
B. To rely solely on chemical pesticides.
C. To combine multiple strategies for economical and effective pest management.
D. To reduce plant diversity.
Answer: C
IPM focuses on using a combination of cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical tools to keep pest
populations below damaging thresholds .
5. Which of these is an annual grassy weed commonly found in Illinois turf?
A. Dandelion
B. Crabgrass
C. White Clover
D. Plantain
Answer: B
, Page 4 of 130
Crabgrass is a warm-season annual grass that germinates in spring and produces large amounts of seed,
often invading bare or thin turf areas .
6. If you are targeting Japanese beetles to prevent next year's turf damage, which life stage is most
critical to control?
A. Egg
B. Larva (White Grub)
C. Adult
D. Pupa
Answer: B
Controlling the larval stage (grub) in the soil prevents them from maturing into adults that lay eggs, and
stops the root-feeding damage to the turf .
7. "Dollar spot" is classified as which type of turf pest?
A. Insect
B. Fungal disease
C. Nematode
D. Weed
Illinois Turf and Ornamental Pest Control Licensing
Exam Questions and Correct Answers with
EXPLANATIONS LATEST THIS YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage
The Illinois Turf and Ornamental Pest Control License allows commercial applicators to perform pest
control on trees, shrubs, ornamental plantings, turf areas, and sod farms .
Key Exam Topics (Turf & Ornamentals) :
1. Weed Identification & Control (Crabgrass, Dandelion, Clover, Nutsedge, Broadleaf/grassy weed
ID).
2. Insect Pests (White grubs, Japanese beetles, chinch bugs, scale, aphids, spider mites).
3. Disease Management (Brown patch, Dollar spot, Pythium blight, Rust, Powdery Mildew, Fire
blight).
4. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) / Cultural Practices (Mowing height, aeration, fertilization,
watering timing).
5. Pesticide Safety (PPE, phytotoxicity, environmental hazards, avoiding drift, proper mixing).
6. Pesticide Mode of Action (Systemic vs. Contact, Pre-emergent vs. Post-emergent, Herbicide
families).
7. Illinois-specific Regulations (License categories, recordkeeping, Worker Protection Standard).
1. What is the primary pest/disease issue often associated with Kentucky bluegrass lawns in Illinois?
A. Dollar spot
B. White grubs (Japanese beetle larvae)
C. Rust
D. Nematodes
Answer: B
, Page 2 of 130
White grubs are the most common insect pest of Kentucky bluegrass in Illinois because the larvae feed on
the roots, causing the turf to wilt and die .
2. What is the main mode of action of a systemic herbicide?
A. It kills the plant only on contact.
B. It is absorbed and translocated throughout the plant.
C. It only sterilizes the soil.
D. It works as a repellent.
Answer: B
Systemic herbicides (e.g., glyphosate) move through the plant’s vascular system, allowing them to kill
roots and shoots entirely, not just the sprayed leaves .
3. Which cultural practice is most effective at reducing turf disease pressure?
A. Watering in the evening.
B. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
C. Proper mowing height.
D. Heavy soil compaction.
Answer: C
, Page 3 of 130
Maintaining proper mowing height reduces plant stress and increases air circulation, which dries leaf
blades and prevents fungal spore germination .
4. What is the primary goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
A. To eradicate all pests instantly.
B. To rely solely on chemical pesticides.
C. To combine multiple strategies for economical and effective pest management.
D. To reduce plant diversity.
Answer: C
IPM focuses on using a combination of cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical tools to keep pest
populations below damaging thresholds .
5. Which of these is an annual grassy weed commonly found in Illinois turf?
A. Dandelion
B. Crabgrass
C. White Clover
D. Plantain
Answer: B
, Page 4 of 130
Crabgrass is a warm-season annual grass that germinates in spring and produces large amounts of seed,
often invading bare or thin turf areas .
6. If you are targeting Japanese beetles to prevent next year's turf damage, which life stage is most
critical to control?
A. Egg
B. Larva (White Grub)
C. Adult
D. Pupa
Answer: B
Controlling the larval stage (grub) in the soil prevents them from maturing into adults that lay eggs, and
stops the root-feeding damage to the turf .
7. "Dollar spot" is classified as which type of turf pest?
A. Insect
B. Fungal disease
C. Nematode
D. Weed
