Ornamental and Turf Pesticide Applicators Practice Exam

What is necessary for insecticides applied to control white grubs to be effective?

1. Application during the daytime

2. Watering in to reach the soil

3. Using only organic options

4. Application at cooler temperatures

The correct answer is: Watering in to reach the soil

For insecticides to effectively control white grubs, it is crucial to water them in to reach the soil. White grubs are larvae that reside in the soil, where they feed on the roots of grass and other plants. When insecticides are applied, they often need to penetrate the soil to directly affect the target pests. Watering in the insecticide helps to dissolve it and moves it into the root zone where the grubs are active, making direct contact with the larvae possible. While factors such as the time of application and temperature do play a role in the overall effectiveness and safety of pesticide use, they are not as critical to ensuring that the insecticide reaches the target pests as the need to water it in. Similarly, the use of organic options is not a requirement for effectiveness, as synthetic options can also be highly effective when applied correctly.