Free Practice Questions for FL Lawn & Ornamental

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Key Facts: FL Lawn & Ornamental Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

70%

Passing Score

FDACS / Ch. 482

$150

Exam Fee

FDACS (s. 482.141)

4 categories

FDACS Structural Categories

Chapter 482, F.S.

Ch. 482

Structural Pest Control Act

Florida Statutes

50%

Slow-Release N Required (urban fertilizer rule)

FDACS Rule 5E-1.003

The Florida Lawn & Ornamental Pest Control certification is one of four FDACS structural pest control operator categories under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes (the Structural Pest Control Act), distinct from the termite/WDO, general household, and fumigation categories. Candidates pass a general/core exam plus the Lawn & Ornamental category exam, each requiring a score of 70% or greater, with a $150 FDACS examination fee. Content spans turf and ornamental pest, weed, and disease identification (chinch bugs, mole crickets, sod webworms, large patch, gray leaf spot, nutsedge, dollarweed); insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides; application and calibration; Florida environmental and water-protection BMPs and the urban fertilizer rule; pesticide safety; and Florida law (Chapter 482 / Rule 5E-14). This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample FL Lawn & Ornamental Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the FL Lawn & Ornamental exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which insect is the most damaging pest of St. Augustinegrass in Florida and is best controlled before populations explode in hot, dry weather?

A.Southern chinch bug

B.Bermudagrass mite

C.Two-lined spittlebug

D.Hunting billbug

Explanation: The southern chinch bug (Blissus insularis) is the most economically important insect pest of St. Augustinegrass in Florida. It feeds with piercing-sucking mouthparts, injecting toxic saliva that causes expanding yellow-to-brown patches, and damage worsens in hot, dry weather, especially along sunny edges and water-stressed areas.

2A homeowner reports irregular, raised tunnels and loose, spongy soil in a Florida bahiagrass lawn, with the worst damage at night. Which pest is most likely responsible?

A.Mole cricket

B.Sod webworm

C.Grub (white grub)

D.Fire ant

Explanation: Mole crickets (Neoscapteriscus spp.) tunnel through the upper soil at night, uprooting grass and creating raised, spongy tunnels that feel soft underfoot. They are especially damaging to bahiagrass and bermudagrass. A soapy-water flush drives them to the surface to confirm the infestation.

3Tropical sod webworm damage in a Florida lawn is most accurately described as which of the following?

A.Ragged, notched, and chewed grass blades with green frass pellets, worst in late summer

B.Yellow halos of dead grass expanding in dry, sunny areas

C.Circular straw-colored patches the size of a silver dollar

D.Loose soil tunnels uprooting the turf

Explanation: Tropical sod webworm larvae chew notches and ragged edges from grass blades, leaving small green-to-tan frass (excrement) pellets in the canopy. Damage appears as thinning, chewed turf and is most severe in late summer and early fall when caterpillar populations peak. Adults are small tan moths that flush up when the lawn is disturbed.

4Large patch (formerly brown patch), the most common turf disease of St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass in Florida, is favored by which conditions?

A.Cool, wet weather with temperatures below about 80 degrees F

B.Hot, dry weather above 90 degrees F

C.Drought stress on sandy soils

D.High mowing during midsummer

Explanation: Large patch is caused by Rhizoctonia solani and is most active in fall and spring when temperatures are below about 80 degrees F and the turf stays wet for extended periods. Circular yellow-to-brown patches expand with an orange leading edge. Reducing late-day irrigation and avoiding excess nitrogen in cool weather are key cultural controls.

5Gray leaf spot is a foliar disease especially damaging to which Florida turfgrass during warm, humid, rainy summer weather?

A.St. Augustinegrass

B.Bermudagrass

C.Bahiagrass

D.Centipedegrass

Explanation: Gray leaf spot (Pyricularia grisea) is most severe on St. Augustinegrass, producing small gray-to-brown leaf lesions with dark borders during hot, humid, rainy weather. Excess nitrogen and frequent irrigation worsen it. Controlling unnecessary nitrogen and leaf wetness reduces disease pressure.

6Take-all root rot, a major decline disease of Florida lawns, is best managed by which approach because the pathogen attacks the roots?

A.Reducing stress with proper mowing, irrigation, and minimal nitrogen rather than relying on foliar fungicides alone

B.Applying high rates of soluble nitrogen to push regrowth

C.Lowering the mowing height to improve airflow

D.Increasing irrigation frequency to keep roots cool

Explanation: Take-all root rot (Gaeumannomyces graminis) infects and rots the roots, stolons, and rhizomes, so the turf cannot be fixed by foliar treatments alone. Management centers on reducing stress: correct mowing height, deep but infrequent irrigation, balanced low nitrogen, improved drainage, and addressing soil pH. Healthy roots are the best defense.

7Dollarweed (pennywort) thriving in a Florida lawn is most often a symptom of which underlying condition?

A.Excessive soil moisture from overwatering or poor drainage

B.Severe drought and compacted, dry soil

C.Low soil pH below 5.0

D.Excessive shade with no irrigation

Explanation: Dollarweed (Hydrocotyle spp.) is a moisture-loving broadleaf weed whose presence usually signals overwatering, poor drainage, or excess soil moisture. The most durable control is to correct the irrigation and drainage; herbicides give only temporary relief if the wet conditions remain.

8Nutsedge (nutgrass) is difficult to control with many broadleaf herbicides because it is which type of plant?

A.A sedge (Cyperaceae) with a triangular stem, not a true grass or broadleaf

B.A true grass in the family Poaceae

C.A broadleaf weed in the family Asteraceae

D.A woody ornamental volunteer

Explanation: Nutsedge is a sedge in the family Cyperaceae, identifiable by its solid, triangular (three-sided) stem and shiny V-shaped leaves. Because it is neither a true grass nor a broadleaf, standard grass or broadleaf herbicides are ineffective; sedge-specific actives such as halosulfuron or sulfentrazone are required.

9Which scale-related pest, a piercing-sucking insect, commonly attacks Florida ornamentals such as gardenia, hibiscus, and crepe myrtle and produces honeydew that leads to sooty mold?

A.Soft scale

B.Spider mite

C.Lace bug

D.Leafminer

Explanation: Soft scales feed on plant sap and excrete sugary honeydew, which supports black sooty mold growth on leaves and stems of ornamentals like gardenia, hibiscus, and crepe myrtle. Horticultural oils and systemic insecticides are common controls; managing the scale eliminates the honeydew and the resulting sooty mold.

10Fine stippling, bronzing, and fine webbing on the undersides of ornamental leaves, worst in hot, dry conditions, indicates which pest?

A.Spider mites

B.Whiteflies

C.Aphids

D.Thrips

Explanation: Spider mites (e.g., twospotted spider mite) pierce individual cells, causing fine stippling and bronzing, and they spin fine silk webbing on leaf undersides. Populations explode in hot, dry weather. A white-paper tap test reveals the tiny moving mites; miticides or horticultural oils are used for control.

About the FL Lawn & Ornamental Exam

The Lawn & Ornamental category is one of four FDACS structural pest control operator certifications under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes (the Structural Pest Control Act). Candidates must pass a general/core exam plus the Lawn & Ornamental category exam with a score of 70% or greater. The category covers turf and ornamental pest, weed, and disease identification; insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides; application and calibration; environmental and water protection; pesticide safety; and Florida law.

Exam sponsor: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

General/core exam plus the Lawn & Ornamental category exam, multiple-choice, administered by FDACS; 70% required to pass each. This practice bank is 100 selected-response items modeled on the category content.

Time Limit

Set at the testing site

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

$150 examination fee per FDACS (s. 482.141, F.S.); certificate/license fees separate

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

30%

Turf, Ornamental, Weed & Disease Identification

Florida turf insects (chinch bugs, mole crickets, sod webworms, grubs), turfgrass species, ornamental pests, weeds (nutsedge, dollarweed, doveweed), and diseases (large patch, gray leaf spot, take-all root rot, dollar spot)

25%

Insecticides, Fungicides & Herbicides

Pesticide classes and modes of action, systemic vs contact, selective vs nonselective herbicides, pre/postemergent timing, formulations, labeling, signal words, and resistance management

15%

Application & Calibration

Equipment calibration, area and dosage math, sprayers and spreaders, nozzles, droplet size, drift reduction, watering-in, and tank mixing

13%

Environmental & Water Protection

Florida fertilizer BMPs and Rule 5E-1.003, slow-release nitrogen, summer blackout ordinances, buffer zones, runoff and leaching, groundwater protection, disposal, and pollinator protection

Pesticide Safety

Routes of exposure, PPE and gloves, restricted-entry intervals, cholinesterase inhibitors, storage, first aid, and contaminated-clothing handling

Florida Law (Chapter 482 / 5E-14)

The Structural Pest Control Act, the lawn and ornamental category, certified operator duties, qualifications, continuing education, consumer protection, and label-vs-ordinance compliance

Preparing for the FL Lawn & Ornamental Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Assessment: General/core exam plus the Lawn & Ornamental category exam, multiple-choice, administered by FDACS; 70% required to pass each. This practice bank is 100 selected-response items modeled on the category content.
Time limit: Set at the testing site
Exam / certification fees: $150 examination fee per FDACS (s. 482.141, F.S.); certificate/license fees separate Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

FL Lawn & Ornamental: Suggested Study Strategy

1Spend the most time on pest, weed, and disease identification — chinch bugs in St. Augustinegrass, mole crickets, sod webworms, large patch, gray leaf spot, nutsedge, and dollarweed are core

2Learn pesticide categories cold: systemic vs contact, selective vs nonselective herbicides, and pre- vs postemergent timing

3Practice calibration and dosage math (area in 1,000 sq ft units, product per area, active-ingredient conversions) until it is automatic

4Know Florida's environmental rules: the 5E-1.003 urban fertilizer rule (50% slow-release N), summer blackout ordinances, buffer zones, and groundwater/runoff protection

5Memorize label and safety basics: signal words, REIs, PPE, the-label-is-the-law under FIFRA, and Chapter 482 / Rule 5E-14

6Complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before sitting the FDACS exam

Frequently Asked Questions

What score do I need to pass the Florida Lawn & Ornamental pest control exam?

You need 70% or greater. FDACS administers a general/core exam plus the Lawn & Ornamental category exam under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes, and both must be passed at the 70% threshold.

How much does the FDACS pest control operator exam cost?

FDACS charges a $150 examination fee under s. 482.141, Florida Statutes. Certificate and license fees are separate, so confirm the current totals directly with FDACS before you apply.

Who qualifies to take the Lawn & Ornamental category exam?

Chapter 482 allows qualification by experience, or by education plus experience. Notably, an education in horticulture, botany, or agronomy qualifies a candidate only for the lawn and ornamental category.

What topics does the Lawn & Ornamental exam cover?

It covers turf and ornamental pest, weed, and disease identification; insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides; application and calibration; environmental and water protection; pesticide safety; and Florida law (Chapter 482 / Rule 5E-14).

How is this category different from the agricultural pesticide license?

The Lawn & Ornamental structural category is regulated under Chapter 482 and administered by FDACS for structural pest control businesses. Agricultural pesticide applicators are licensed under a separate Florida program (Chapter 487).

Is this free Florida Lawn & Ornamental practice as good as paid prep?

Our 100 practice questions cover the same content domains as the FDACS category exam, with a teaching explanation for every answer plus free daily AI tutor interactions. All content is free forever and updated for 2026.

Free Practice Questions for FL Lawn & Ornamental

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