Turf (3b) Turf Pest Management Exam
Questions and Answers 2026 Update
Name some of the factors turfgrass managers must consider when setting pest
management priorities. -Correct Answer ✔-Turfgrass management professionals
must consider human safety, environmental safety, turf use(s), efficacy, and
economics.
Why do pest management thresholds in turf vary? -Correct 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. -Correct 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?
-Correct Answer ✔-They are most likely to cause problems. Key pests, varieties,
and locations require special monitoring and care.
What is a "key pest"? -Correct 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"? -Correct 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. -Correct 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. -
Correct 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. -Correct 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. -Correct 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.
Questions and Answers 2026 Update
Name some of the factors turfgrass managers must consider when setting pest
management priorities. -Correct Answer ✔-Turfgrass management professionals
must consider human safety, environmental safety, turf use(s), efficacy, and
economics.
Why do pest management thresholds in turf vary? -Correct 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. -Correct 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?
-Correct Answer ✔-They are most likely to cause problems. Key pests, varieties,
and locations require special monitoring and care.
What is a "key pest"? -Correct 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"? -Correct 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. -Correct 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. -
Correct 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. -Correct 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. -Correct 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.
