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Oregon Commercial Pesticide Applicator
(Ornamental & Turf) category Questions and
Correct Answers Plus Rationales 2025
- What is the primary reason for using pre-emergent herbicides in turf management? a. To kill insects in the soil b. To control weeds before they germinate c. To increase nitrogen availability d. To suppress fungal pathogens Pre-emergent herbicides are applied to prevent weed seeds from germinating.
- Which turfgrass disease is most commonly associated with high nitrogen and wet conditions? a. Red thread b. Pythium blight c. Dollar spot d. Rust Pythium thrives in moist, high-nitrogen environments and causes rapid blight.
- Which of the following is the most accurate method to determine pest thresholds in ornamentals?
a. Visual estimates b. Monitoring with scouting and thresholds c. Weather predictions d. Calendar spraying Scouting and comparing pest levels to established thresholds helps time treatments effectively.
- When applying pesticides near a water body in Oregon, which regulation must be followed? a. National Forestry Code b. Oregon Department of Agriculture Buffer Rules c. USDA Water Code d. Local homeowners’ guidelines The ODA mandates buffer zones and special restrictions near water bodies to prevent contamination.
- What is the main purpose of a surfactant in a pesticide mix? a. Reduce pH b. Add color c. Improve pesticide spread and penetration d. Control volatility Surfactants help the pesticide stick to and spread on leaf surfaces.
- What is the best method to avoid pesticide resistance? a. Rotate chemical modes of action b. Always use the same product c. Increase the dose
c. Longer-lasting and internal protection d. More toxic to pollinators Systemic insecticides move through the plant and protect from within. 11.What turf condition favors the development of dollar spot? a. Wet, hot soils b. Low nitrogen and dry soils c. High pH d. Sandy soils only Dollar spot is common in low nitrogen and drought-stressed turf. 12.Which best describes "action threshold"? a. Pest level at which control should begin b. The amount of pesticide to apply c. The level of pest resistance d. Maximum residue allowed This helps prevent unnecessary pesticide use by defining when pests become harmful. 13.What is the purpose of calibrating spray equipment? a. To save fuel b. To make cleaning easier c. To ensure the correct application rate d. To reduce nozzle clogging Calibration ensures you're applying the right amount of product. 14.How should you dispose of rinse water from pesticide containers? a. Dump in a stream
b. Pour on bare ground c. Use it to mix the next batch of pesticide d. Store it in open containers Rinse water can be reused in the tank mix to reduce waste. 15.Which Oregon agency regulates pesticide licensing and application? a. DEQ b. Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) c. EPA d. USDA The ODA is responsible for licensing and regulation of pesticide use in Oregon. 16.A selective herbicide: a. Targets specific plant species b. Kills all plant types c. Only affects insects d. Is used in greenhouses Selective herbicides only target certain weeds, sparing desirable plants. 17.What is the most effective way to manage thatch buildup in turf? a. Frequent irrigation b. Core aeration and dethatching c. Applying more fertilizer d. Spraying insecticides Aeration and dethatching physically remove thatch layers that harbor pests.
d. Mix water Reading the label ensures proper handling, application, and safety. 22.Granular formulations are best applied with: a. Backpack sprayers b. Foggers c. Drop or rotary spreaders d. Boom sprayers Granules are distributed using spreaders for even coverage. 23.What is the primary purpose of using IPM (Integrated Pest Management)? a. Eliminate all pests b. Reduce pest damage using multiple methods c. Spray weekly d. Increase chemical use IPM combines strategies to minimize reliance on chemicals. 24.A sign of aphid infestation is: a. Rust on leaves b. Wilting roots c. Sticky honeydew on foliage d. Dry soil Aphids secrete honeydew, which attracts mold and pests. 25.Which nozzle type produces the least drift? a. Hollow cone b. Flat fan with drift-reducing tips c. Fine mist
d. Adjustable nozzle Drift-reducing nozzles are designed to produce larger, heavier droplets. 26.Which practice helps prevent contamination of water sources? a. Applying near drainage b. Maintaining buffer zones c. Cleaning tanks near streams d. Applying before rain Buffers prevent pesticide runoff into sensitive areas. 27.Which fertilizer ratio would promote root development in turf? a. 10- 10 - 10 b. 25- 0 - 0 c. 10- 20 - 10 d. 5- 0 - 0 Higher phosphorus supports root growth. 28.What pest is commonly found on roses in Oregon landscapes? a. Sod webworm b. Aphids c. Billbugs d. Armyworms Aphids are common and feed on new growth, distorting leaves. 29.Drift is more likely under which condition? a. Early morning low humidity b. High wind speeds c. Midday calm
c. Iron d. Phosphorus Iron becomes unavailable at higher pH, leading to chlorosis. 34.The safest clothing material for pesticide application is: a. Cotton b. Chemical-resistant synthetics c. Nylon d. Polyester Chemical-resistant PPE prevents skin absorption of harmful products. 35.What is the best time to fertilize cool-season grasses? a. Mid-summer b. Early fall and spring c. Winter d. Late summer Cool-season grasses grow best in spring/fall and benefit from fertilization then. 36.What is the primary way insects develop resistance to pesticides? a. Chemical breakdown b. Seasonal migration c. Genetic selection through repeated exposure d. Pest predators Repeated use of the same pesticide selects for resistant individuals over time.
37.Which turfgrass is most shade-tolerant? a. Bermuda grass b. Fine fescue c. Zoysia grass d. Ryegrass Fine fescues are known for their ability to grow well in shady areas. 38.Which formulation poses the highest risk of drift? a. Granules b. Wettable powders c. Emulsifiable concentrates d. Aerosols or ULVs ULV (ultra-low volume) and aerosol formulations create fine droplets prone to drift. 39.When spraying pesticides, what wind speed is generally considered the maximum safe limit? a. 2 mph b. 5 mph c. 10 mph d. 15 mph Spraying above 10 mph increases the risk of drift and off-target application. 40.Which signal word indicates the lowest level of acute toxicity? a. Danger b. Warning
44.Drift can be minimized by: a. Using high pressure b. Spraying in high winds c. Lowering boom height and using coarse droplets d. Applying from tall platforms Lower booms and large droplets reduce the chance of off-target drift. 45.What turf disease appears as small, silver dollar-sized patches in morning dew? a. Rust b. Dollar spot c. Snow mold d. Anthracnose Dollar spot is named for its small, round lesions and is common in low- nitrogen turf. 46.Which PPE is typically required when mixing concentrated pesticides? a. Cloth gloves b. Dust mask c. Chemical-resistant gloves and apron d. No PPE Concentrated chemicals require protective gloves, eye protection, and aprons. 47.What is the most common cause of pesticide misapplication? a. Poor weather b. Failure to read or follow the label
c. New equipment d. Too many weeds Ignoring label instructions leads to incorrect dosing, timing, or targeting. 48.Systemic fungicides work by: a. Killing weed seeds b. Blocking sunlight c. Being absorbed and moving within the plant d. Drying the soil Systemic fungicides enter the plant and move internally to stop disease. 49.Which is a cultural control method for managing turf pests? a. Spraying fungicides b. Mowing height adjustment c. Applying insecticides d. Using sticker adjuvants Cultural practices like mowing, irrigation, and fertilization reduce pest pressure. 50.Why should pesticide containers never be reused? a. They’re heavy b. They get wet c. Residues can cause poisoning or contamination d. They are recyclable Reusing containers can result in accidental poisoning or environmental contamination.
Kentucky bluegrass recovers well from wear and is durable in northern climates. 55.A pesticide with a REI of 12 hours means: a. You can water immediately b. Apply it at night c. Stay out of treated areas for 12 hours d. Mix it every 12 hours The re-entry interval protects workers and others from pesticide exposure. 56.Which pesticide type kills only insects? a. Herbicide b. Insecticide c. Fungicide d. Nematicide Insecticides are specifically formulated to target insects. 57.What is the major concern of using pesticides near storm drains? a. Reduced efficiency b. Contamination of water bodies c. Attracting pests d. Clogging nozzles Pesticides entering storm drains can pollute rivers and lakes. 58.Which product is most likely to volatilize in hot temperatures? a. Wettable powders b. Granules c. Ester-based herbicides
d. Water-soluble packets Esters are volatile and can vaporize and drift in warm weather. 59.Which pest is known for leaving a foamy spittle mass on plants? a. Aphids b. Spittlebugs c. Mealybugs d. Scale Spittlebugs leave a frothy mass to protect themselves while feeding. 60.What’s the first thing you should do if pesticide is splashed in your eyes? a. Call 911 b. Rinse eyes with clean water for 15 minutes c. Apply eye drops d. Rub eyes vigorously Flushing the eyes immediately reduces chemical exposure and damage. 61.When should you apply a granular pre-emergent herbicide for crabgrass? a. After it appears b. Before soil temperatures reach 55°F c. During summer d. In late fall Pre-emergents must be applied before weed seeds germinate in early spring. 62.Which component is most likely to clog sprayer nozzles? a. Wettable powders b. Soluble liquids
66.If the label recommends 2 lb. of product per 1,000 sq. ft., how many pounds do you need for 5,000 sq. ft.? a. 3 b. 6 c. 10 d. 15 2 × 5 = 10 pounds for 5,000 sq. ft. 67.Why is back-siphoning dangerous when filling a sprayer? a. It wastes water b. It lowers pressure c. It can contaminate the water source d. It dilutes the pesticide Back-siphoning pulls chemicals into the water supply, posing serious health risks. 68.Which pest damages turf by feeding on roots and causing wilted patches? a. Aphids b. Leafhoppers c. White grubs d. Spider mites White grubs destroy root systems, leading to wilting and turf loss. 69.What condition favors powdery mildew in ornamentals? a. Heavy rain b. High humidity and poor air circulation c. Dry wind
d. Cold temperatures Powdery mildew thrives in humid environments with limited airflow. 70.What information does the EPA Registration Number provide? a. Location of the manufacturer b. State license number c. Product approval and tracking d. Mixing rate It identifies a product registered with the EPA for use in the U.S. 71.What is the correct way to clean up a pesticide spill? a. Hose it down b. Contain, absorb, and dispose properly c. Sweep into sewer d. Leave it to dry Proper cleanup includes containment and disposal per label or local regulations. 72.A miticide is used to control: a. Fungi b. Weeds c. Mites d. Grubs Miticides are specifically designed to control mite populations. 73.When should irrigation follow pesticide application? a. Always b. Only if the label recommends it
