Download North Carolina Ornamentals and Turf (Lawn & Ornamental) Pesticide Applicator Certificatio and more Exams Gardening and Horticulture in PDF only on Docsity!
North Carolina Ornamentals and Turf (Lawn & Ornamental)
Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam Questions And Correct
Answers Plus Rationales 2025
The questions cover pest identification, turf management, ornamental care, pesticide safety, and North Carolina-specific regulations.
- What is the best way to prevent pesticide runoff from a treated lawn area? A. Water heavily immediately after application B. Avoid treating sloped areas before rainfall C. Apply more pesticide than needed D. Use a fan nozzle to apply faster Avoiding application before rainfall, especially on slopes, reduces runoff into storm drains and nearby waterways.
- Which of the following grass types is considered a cool-season grass? A. Centipedegrass B. Bermudagrass C. Tall fescue D. Zoysiagrass Tall fescue grows best in cooler temperatures and is commonly used in North Carolina's transition zone.
- Which is a sign of white grub damage in turfgrass?
A. Red spots on blades B. Rapid weed growth C. Turf that peels back like carpet D. Yellowing only at the tips White grubs feed on grass roots, causing turf to detach easily from the soil.
- What is the function of a surfactant in pesticide applications? A. Increase evaporation B. Improve pesticide spread and sticking C. Make the solution thicker D. Reduce pesticide effectiveness Surfactants help pesticides spread uniformly across leaves and stick better, enhancing efficacy.
- What is the threshold for wearing a respirator according to NC pesticide law? A. Whenever wind exceeds 5 mph B. When the pesticide label requires it C. When applying in open air D. Always during any outdoor spraying Respirators are required when the pesticide label mandates their use. Label directions are legally enforceable.
- Which of the following is a common fungal disease in ornamental shrubs? A. Aphids B. Powdery mildew
C. Aphids D. Cutworms Aphids feed on new plant growth and inject toxins that distort leaf and stem development. 10.What is the first step in managing an ornamental pest problem? A. Spray all visible pests B. Proper identification of the pest C. Apply systemic insecticide D. Remove the entire plant Correct pest identification is critical for choosing the appropriate control method. 11.What tool helps minimize drift during pesticide applications? A. Higher nozzle pressure B. Drift-reducing nozzles C. Fine mist sprayers D. Extended hose lengths Drift-reducing nozzles produce larger droplets that are less likely to drift. 12.What is the best time to apply post-emergent herbicides for broadleaf weeds? A. Mid-winter B. When weeds are young and actively growing C. During rainfall D. Just before mowing
Young, actively growing weeds absorb herbicides more effectively. 13.Which practice helps reduce pesticide resistance? A. Use same chemical repeatedly B. Spray every week C. Rotate chemical classes D. Always use maximum label rate Rotating chemical classes reduces the chance of pests developing resistance to a specific mode of action. 14.What is an example of a selective herbicide? A. Glyphosate B. Paraquat C. 2,4-D D. Vinegar 2,4-D selectively controls broadleaf weeds without harming turfgrass. 15.What does the signal word "Danger" on a pesticide label indicate? A. Product is safe with gloves B. Highly toxic pesticide C. Product causes no skin irritation D. May stain surfaces "Danger" is the highest toxicity category and indicates the need for extreme caution. 16.What disease is commonly found on azaleas in North Carolina?
C. Spider mites D. Thrips Spider mites produce fine webs and cause stippling or bronzing on leaves. 20.What type of pesticide formulation is most prone to drift? A. Granules B. Wettable powders C. Soluble liquids D. Emulsifiable concentrates (EC) ECs tend to produce smaller droplets that can easily drift during spraying. 21.What is the primary reason to calibrate a pesticide sprayer? A. Save water B. Save time C. Apply the correct rate of pesticide D. Reduce noise Calibration ensures the pesticide is applied at the rate specified on the label, preventing over- or under-application. 22.Which of the following is a benefit of mulching around ornamental plants? A. Attracts more pests B. Raises soil pH C. Reduces weed competition and retains moisture D. Compacts the soil
Mulch helps conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. 23.What is the function of the active ingredient in a pesticide? A. Provides the color B. Controls the target pest C. Extends the shelf life D. Makes the solution thicker The active ingredient is the chemical in the formulation that targets and kills the pest. 24.Which of the following is a symptom of dollar spot in turfgrass? A. Red-orange lesions B. Small, circular, straw-colored patches C. Rolled leaves D. Yellow rings with green centers Dollar spot creates small circular patches that are bleached or straw-colored, common in low-nitrogen turf. 25.What is the best way to reduce pesticide exposure during mixing? A. Mix outdoors only B. Wear appropriate PPE and follow label instructions C. Use bare hands for accuracy D. Mix while spraying Wearing PPE (like gloves, goggles, and aprons) and following label instructions during mixing protects the applicator.
A. Nitrogen B. Phosphorus C. Potassium D. Iron Phosphorus is essential for strong roots and abundant blooms in ornamentals. 30.What is an example of a systemic insecticide? A. Pyrethrin B. Diatomaceous earth C. Imidacloprid D. Neem oil Imidacloprid is absorbed by plants and controls pests that feed on treated tissue. 31.What time of day is best for spraying insecticides on turf? A. Midday B. Early morning or late afternoon C. Night D. During rainfall Early morning or late afternoon reduces evaporation, drift, and potential harm to pollinators. 32.Which of the following is considered a contact herbicide? A. 2,4-D B. Diquat
C. Glyphosate D. Atrazine Diquat is a fast-acting, non-selective contact herbicide that destroys green tissue. 33.Why is drift a concern when applying pesticides near ornamentals? A. It makes application faster B. It can damage non-target plants C. It increases effectiveness D. It reduces weed resistance Drift can harm desirable ornamental plants and contaminate non-target areas. 34.What is the purpose of a buffer zone during pesticide application? A. Improve absorption B. Protect sensitive areas like water sources or neighboring properties C. Increase yield D. Slow down application Buffer zones are untreated areas that protect sensitive sites and minimize environmental impact. 35.What is the most effective way to manage scale insects on ornamentals? A. Mow the lawn B. Apply systemic insecticides C. Use sticky traps D. Prune flower buds Systemic insecticides penetrate plant tissue and reach hidden pests like scale.
A. Blue-gray color and foot-printing B. Rust on leaves C. Excessive growth D. Soil erosion Turf under drought stress appears bluish-gray and doesn't bounce back when walked on. 40.Which pesticide formulation reduces the risk of inhalation during mixing? A. Dust B. Emulsifiable concentrate C. Granules D. Wettable powder Granular formulations pose less inhalation risk compared to powders or liquid concentrates. 41.What is a label’s "REI" referring to? A. Recommended equipment B. Restricted-entry interval C. Required evaporation index D. Residue eradication instructions REI is the time after application during which entry into the treated area is limited for safety. 42.Which weed is a common problem in North Carolina lawns? A. Kudzu B. Crabgrass
C. Bamboo D. Dandelion Crabgrass is a persistent summer annual weed that invades thin turf areas. 43.What is the best way to prevent pesticide contamination of water sources? A. Mix near a stream B. Apply during rain C. Maintain proper buffer zones and avoid back-siphoning D. Use large nozzles only Back-siphoning and lack of buffer zones are major causes of water contamination. 44.What is the best mowing height for zoysiagrass? A. 0.5 inch B. 2.5 inches C. 1 to 2 inches D. 3.5 inches Zoysiagrass performs best when maintained between 1 and 2 inches. 45.Which of the following practices promotes healthy turfgrass? A. Over-fertilizing B. Aeration and proper irrigation C. Mowing very short D. Spraying fungicide weekly Aeration improves root development and water absorption; proper irrigation prevents stress and disease.
C. Danger D. Notice "Danger" signifies the most hazardous classification on a pesticide label. 50.Which turfgrass type is most shade-tolerant? A. Bermudagrass B. Fine fescue C. Zoysiagrass D. Centipedegrass Fine fescue performs well in shady areas, unlike most warm-season grasses. 51.Which method is best to reduce compaction in turf areas? A. Fertilizing B. Herbicide application C. Overseeding D. Core aeration Core aeration relieves soil compaction, improves air/water movement, and enhances root growth. 52.What is the primary purpose of a drift control additive? A. Kill more weeds B. Reduce pesticide drift C. Lower toxicity D. Speed up application
Drift control additives increase droplet size to reduce pesticide movement off- target. 53.Which is a symptom of nitrogen deficiency in turfgrass? A. Purple streaks B. Uniform yellowing of older leaves C. White spots D. Stunted roots only Nitrogen deficiency first shows as yellowing in older leaves because nitrogen is mobile within the plant. 54.When is the best time to fertilize warm-season turfgrasses? A. Early spring before green-up B. Late spring to summer when actively growing C. Fall D. Winter Warm-season grasses should be fertilized during active growth in late spring through summer. 55.Which turfgrass pest creates pencil-sized holes and mounds of soil? A. Chinch bugs B. White grubs C. Mole crickets D. Ants Mole crickets tunnel through the soil and create mounds and small exit holes.
A. Fertilizing too often B. Mowing too short C. Irrigating daily D. Thatch build-up Mowing below the recommended height removes too much leaf blade and causes scalping. 60.What is the mode of action of a contact pesticide? A. Prevents reproduction B. Kills pests on contact by affecting external systems C. Moves through plant tissue D. Acts as a repellent Contact pesticides kill when they come into direct contact with the pest, rather than being absorbed. 61.Which of the following turf species is best for high-traffic areas? A. Fine fescue B. Tall fescue C. Centipedegrass D. Bentgrass Tall fescue has good wear tolerance and recovers well from foot traffic. 62.What is the main benefit of using slow-release fertilizers on turf? A. Increases mowing frequency B. Requires more frequent application
C. Provides nutrients over an extended period D. Leaches quickly into groundwater Slow-release fertilizers feed the turf gradually, reducing nutrient loss and mowing frequency. 63.How does a systemic fungicide work? A. Burns infected area B. Forms a surface barrier C. Is absorbed and moved within the plant D. Attracts predators Systemic fungicides are taken up by the plant and protect new growth from within. 64.What is the most accurate way to determine soil pH before fertilizing? A. Smell the soil B. Ask a neighbor C. Perform a soil test D. Look at the grass color Soil testing provides precise pH and nutrient data to guide fertilization. 65.What should be done before applying a pesticide? A. Guess the rate B. Read and follow the label C. Use last year’s instructions D. Always double the dose The label is the law—it contains legal and safety requirements for use.
