Ornamental/Turf pesticide applicator's
licence exam study guide
What are some of the basic principles of Integrated pest management? - correct answer-1.)
PREVENTION: Produce healthy plants that resist plants: (Selecting healthy plants, using
certified seed, providing good growing conditions, and making a good match between the
plant and the site)
2.) MONITOR AND IDENTIFY THE PEST: Identify the problem: (Finding out whether the
damage to a particular plant is caused by a pest or by an environmental condition such as
freezing or drought and always determine the exact pest that you are dealing with)
3.) SET ACTION THRESHOLDS: Expect some pests and tolerate some damage: (Deciding
how many pests and how much damage to tolerate)
4.) CONTROL: Use pesticides as a last choice-Not a first choice
What are 4 tools or techniques that you could use to study a plant problem as you look for
pests? - correct answer-1.) Keep records
2.) Use a hand lens
3.) Learn about symptoms
4.) Carry an index card
What are 2 kinds of drift? - correct answer-1.) Particle drift: (The movement of fine particles
(droplets or dust) through the air while the pesticide is being applied)
2.) Vapor drift: (The movement of the pesticide in the form of a gas or vapor during or after
application)
What is a Buffer? - correct answer-This is the non treated zone between the area to be
treated and sensitive areas such as ponds, streams, wells, and drains
What is a Re-entry period? - correct answer-The length of time that must pass before
anyone can enter a treated area
Resistance to pesticides come from... - correct answer-Using the same pesticides over and
over again
What will happen to Pesticides in the soil over time? - correct answer-They are eventually
broken down by bacteria and fungi
When should you apply a pesticide? - correct answer-When pests are abundant enough
cause unacceptable damage
What hand lens magnification is recommended for insect identification? - correct answer-5
power to 10 power
What should you do in an IPM program? - correct answer-Produce healthy plants that can
resist pests
, Why should pesticide application be the last choice in pest management? - correct
answer-Because they are labeled for use only on specific pests and types of plants and
because it is safer to use other controls
What is Integrated pest management (IPM) ? - correct answer-It is an effective and
environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of
common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life
cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment
What is Phytotoxicity? - correct answer-A toxic effect by a compound on plant growth
What is Pesticide breakdown? - correct answer-The breakdown of pesticides into non-toxic
substances from bacteria and fungi in the soil
What is a Threshold? - correct answer-A point at which pest populations or environmental
conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken
What are the strategies that delay the development of pesticide resistance? - correct
answer-Using a pesticide only when needed and choosing alternative pesticides from
different chemical classes
What is an Indicator plant? - correct answer-Plants that can indicate the onset of a pest
infestation
What does proper mowing mean? - correct answer-Using sharp mower blades to make a
clean cut
What do you need to do to promote healthy turf and reduce disease? - correct answer-Water
thoroughly when you first see wilting
What should you do when fertilizing? - correct answer-Determine fertilizer need through
results of a soil test
Cool-season cultivars... - correct answer-Can be mixed to minimize disease
What does good soil drainage do? - correct answer-Promotes healthy turfgrass
What are the 3 major geographical regions in the southeastern U.S.? - correct answer-1.)
Mountains: (Cool-season grasses)
2.) Piedmont: (The transitional zone where both warm and cool-season grasses are used)
*Cool-season gasses do better in the upper-piedmont region
*Warm-season grasses do better in the lower-piedmont region
3.) Coastal plain: (Warm-season grasses)
What are 4 mistakes in turf plant management that could contribute to poor turf stands and
pest problems? - correct answer-1.) Not enough water
2.) Not aerating
licence exam study guide
What are some of the basic principles of Integrated pest management? - correct answer-1.)
PREVENTION: Produce healthy plants that resist plants: (Selecting healthy plants, using
certified seed, providing good growing conditions, and making a good match between the
plant and the site)
2.) MONITOR AND IDENTIFY THE PEST: Identify the problem: (Finding out whether the
damage to a particular plant is caused by a pest or by an environmental condition such as
freezing or drought and always determine the exact pest that you are dealing with)
3.) SET ACTION THRESHOLDS: Expect some pests and tolerate some damage: (Deciding
how many pests and how much damage to tolerate)
4.) CONTROL: Use pesticides as a last choice-Not a first choice
What are 4 tools or techniques that you could use to study a plant problem as you look for
pests? - correct answer-1.) Keep records
2.) Use a hand lens
3.) Learn about symptoms
4.) Carry an index card
What are 2 kinds of drift? - correct answer-1.) Particle drift: (The movement of fine particles
(droplets or dust) through the air while the pesticide is being applied)
2.) Vapor drift: (The movement of the pesticide in the form of a gas or vapor during or after
application)
What is a Buffer? - correct answer-This is the non treated zone between the area to be
treated and sensitive areas such as ponds, streams, wells, and drains
What is a Re-entry period? - correct answer-The length of time that must pass before
anyone can enter a treated area
Resistance to pesticides come from... - correct answer-Using the same pesticides over and
over again
What will happen to Pesticides in the soil over time? - correct answer-They are eventually
broken down by bacteria and fungi
When should you apply a pesticide? - correct answer-When pests are abundant enough
cause unacceptable damage
What hand lens magnification is recommended for insect identification? - correct answer-5
power to 10 power
What should you do in an IPM program? - correct answer-Produce healthy plants that can
resist pests
, Why should pesticide application be the last choice in pest management? - correct
answer-Because they are labeled for use only on specific pests and types of plants and
because it is safer to use other controls
What is Integrated pest management (IPM) ? - correct answer-It is an effective and
environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of
common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life
cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment
What is Phytotoxicity? - correct answer-A toxic effect by a compound on plant growth
What is Pesticide breakdown? - correct answer-The breakdown of pesticides into non-toxic
substances from bacteria and fungi in the soil
What is a Threshold? - correct answer-A point at which pest populations or environmental
conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken
What are the strategies that delay the development of pesticide resistance? - correct
answer-Using a pesticide only when needed and choosing alternative pesticides from
different chemical classes
What is an Indicator plant? - correct answer-Plants that can indicate the onset of a pest
infestation
What does proper mowing mean? - correct answer-Using sharp mower blades to make a
clean cut
What do you need to do to promote healthy turf and reduce disease? - correct answer-Water
thoroughly when you first see wilting
What should you do when fertilizing? - correct answer-Determine fertilizer need through
results of a soil test
Cool-season cultivars... - correct answer-Can be mixed to minimize disease
What does good soil drainage do? - correct answer-Promotes healthy turfgrass
What are the 3 major geographical regions in the southeastern U.S.? - correct answer-1.)
Mountains: (Cool-season grasses)
2.) Piedmont: (The transitional zone where both warm and cool-season grasses are used)
*Cool-season gasses do better in the upper-piedmont region
*Warm-season grasses do better in the lower-piedmont region
3.) Coastal plain: (Warm-season grasses)
What are 4 mistakes in turf plant management that could contribute to poor turf stands and
pest problems? - correct answer-1.) Not enough water
2.) Not aerating
