Termite Flashcards
Unlike other subterranean termites, Formosan termites do not need constant contact with the soil if there is an alternative moisture supply
True
Termites belong to the insect order _____.
Isoptera
Termites are more prevalent in ______ soils.
Sandy
The most numerous members in a termite colony are the:
Workers
The termite caste with greatly enlarged dark, reddish brown heads are the:
Soldiers
The first batch of eggs laid by the queen in a new subterranean termite colony contains:
6-12 eggs
Termites can enter structures through (3):
-Cracks in concrete -Utility openings -Expansion joints
When looking for signs of termites, the inspector should look for (3):
-Forms left in slabs around plumbing drains -Wooden porch steps in soil contact -Wooden fences or trellises contacting the structure
Buildings should be inspected at least once _____ for termite tubes
a year
Formosan termite queens can produce up to 500 eggs per day
False
Formosan termites are the only species that constructs carton nests
True
In many situations, fumigation may be the only effective means of eliminating infestations of Formosan termites
True
Drywood termites construct their nests in wood and not in the soil, as do subterranean termites
True
Which species of drywood termite swarm at daytime?
incisitermes minor
Drywood termites are restricted to the Gulf Coast region?
False
Small “shot hole” openings in wood surfaces are an indication of ______ infestation
Powderpost beetle
Beetles in the family _____ have an enzyme that allows them to digest cellulose
Anobiidae
The most common structural pest in the longhorned beetle family
Old House Borer
Carpenter ant nests can be found in: -Window sills -hollow core doors -wood in contact with soil
All of the above
Carpenter bees are large, heavy insects with:
blue-black metallic bodies
Carpenter bees are both a nuisance and a pest
True
The key to complete control of wood decay fungi is to:
eliminate the moisture source
Wood destroying insect inspections are typically conducted for these reasons (2)
-Inspections for official Texas Wood Destroying Insect Reports for a real estate transaction -Inspections for wood destroying insect treatments based on discovery of infestation or damage
Appropriate and required documents for a Wood Destroying Insect Report are available at:
Structural Pest Control Services
Specific tools that help in the wood destroying insect inspection process (4)
-Flashlight -Measuring Wheel -Digital Camera -Moisture Meter
When considering a wood destroying insect inspection procedure, you should remember
A thorough inspection takes time
Preliminary information gathered prior to the inspection can be valuable to the inspector. This information should include (4)
-Have termites or other wood destroying insects been observed? -Are there moisture problems in or around the structure? -Are there any wells or streams on the property? -Has the structure been treated previously for termites?
It is important to realize that many areas are not accessible because of (4)
-Wall coverings -Floor coverings -Insulation -Furniture and other material or items
An exterior perimeter inspection can reveal the presence of (4)
-Active shelter tubes of subterranean termites -Conditions conducive to infestation such as moisture problems -Soil that is too high on a foundation -Wood-to-ground contact
You should search around plumbing penetrations for signs of infestation, and particularly if any water or plumbing leaks are detected
True
A notice that an inspection was conducted must be placed in the structure at the (4)
-Electrical Breaker Box -Water heater closet -Bath trap access -Beneath the kitchen sink
Termite disclosure documents must be completed and provided to the owner of a property prior to a termite treatment
True
A large family of synthetic insecticides closely related to the natural pyrethrins are:
Pyrethroids
Borate is a term for compounds containing
Boron and Oxygen
Methods of applying borates to wood may include(3)
-Momentary immersion -Pressure treatment -Spray or brush-on
Organophosphate insecticides are broken down in humans mainly by:
The liver
An example of how an insect growth regulator functions in an insect is by:
Interfering by molting
Biological control of termites may include the use of such agents as (3)
-Fungi -Bacteria -Nematodes
The new termiticide chemistries are characterized as non-repellent
True
Which new termiticide chemical has become the most common termiticide used today?
Fipronil (Termidor)
The easiest time to apply a barrier treatment for termite control is:
During construction
In treating block foundation voids, treat:
Every void
Drill and treat brick or stone veneer only when the brick ledge is
below grade
A preferred option to vertical drilling of interior slab construction is:
Rodding from the outside
Long rodding has similar advantages to _____ for treating under interior slab construction
Short rodding
Post construction treatment of crawl space should include treating the foundation, around the piers, support walls, and________
Plumbing Lines
Almost all kinds of construction require interior perimeter treating of the foundation except:
monolithic slabs
Typical termite entry points for basement construction are the same as for:
Floating slabs
Routine soil retreatments for termite control should:
never be made
Chemical contamination can result from accidents, carelessness, and misapplication
True
The primary route of human exposure to pesticides in structures is
Inhalation
To help prevent structural pesticide contamination, a proper inspection includes: (3)
-Structural defects -Proximity to wells and cisterns -HVAC
Termiticides contaminate homes by flow through (3)
-Voids -Expansion joints -cracks in slabs and foundation
Should a spill occur, the first action to take is to:
turn off the pump
Two recent developments to get uniform coverage in sub-slab treatments are termiticide foams and _______.
Directional Tips
Soil treatment with most termiticides should NOT be done in _____
A crawlspace used as a plenum
When treating slabs containing or covering heating ducts, you should reconsider treating if the ducts: (3)
-Are made of material containing cellulose -Have soil or sand bottoms -Have standing water
Before treating a basement on the outside, you should:
check foundation walls for cracks
With veneers that extend below the exterior grade, the soil must be treated to a depth of
below the brick ledge
A good general practice in treating near foundation walls near wells or cisterns is to:
Remove the soil to the footing, place it on a plastic sheeting and treat, then replace it (Backfill Method)
Rigid foam insulation board below grade allows termites to avoid soil treatments
True
Termite baiting systems presently available may (3)
-Only control termites in localized areas -Suppress the colony -Provide total colony elimination
To be successful, termite bait products must (3)
-Readily available -Be non-repellent -Be slow acting
The termite baiting system that will likely provide localized reduction is:
Ingested Toxicants
The termite baiting system that will likely provide colony suppression is
Biotermiticides
The slowest acting of the termite baiting product types are the:
Insect growth regulators
