Termites Flashcards
Describe the head of a Subterranean Termite soldier?
The Subterranean soldier’s head is rectangular, and longer than it is wide. The mandibles and head together are almost as long as the rest of the termite’s body. The head is reddish brown in color and the mandibles are smooth with no teeth.
Describe the head of a Drywood Termite soldier?
The head of a Drywood soldier is square in shape, reddish brown in color, and it’s mandibles have several teeth. The Drywood soldier also has a “collar” behind the head.
Describe the physical appearance of a Drywood termite swarmer?
Drywood swarmers (alates) are reddish-brown in color. They can also be distinguished by the presence of cross-veins in their wings.
Which type of termite can be identified by the teardrop shaped head of the soldiers?
Formosan termite
Which species of termite will eat across the grain of the wood as well as with the grain?
Drywood termites will eat both across the wood grain and in the same direction of the grain
What license category must you have to perform a fumigation?
Branch 1
What order of insects do termites belong to?
The order Isoptera. “ISO” means equal, “Ptera” means wings. Termites are most closely related to cockroaches, can be found in every state except Alaska, and can enter a structure through a crack as small as 1/64th of an inch.
What are the three main termite species that are of concern in California?
Subterranean - Rhinotermitidae
Drywood - Kalotermidae
Dampwood - Hodotermitidae
What type of mouthparts do termites have?
Termites have chewing mouthparts.
Wood is made up of three parts, what are they?
Cellulose - the “preferred” food. Also made into paper and cardboard
Lignin- avoided by termites in wood
Lingocellulose
What are the divisions in the termite caste system?
Reproductives; workers/nymphs; soldiers
What are the two types of termite Reproductives?
Primary Reproductives, which consist of a king and queen who mate for live and can live over 15 years; Secondary Reproductives who are female workers that help lay eggs for the colony.
What do the Soldier termites do?
The Soldiers’ function is only to protect the colony, usually from ants. Soldiers do not work or reproduce, and cannot eat wood on their own.
What do the Worker or Nymph termites do?
Workers and Nymphs do all the work - build galleries, feed the colony, and cause all the damage. Subs = Workers; Drywoods = Nymphs
What are some “conditions conducive”?
Faulty grade, excessive moisture, excessive cellulose debris, wood-to-earth contact, insufficient ventilation (of a crawl space), stucco below grade
What is meant by “inaccessible subarea”?
A crawl space beneath a structure in which there is less than 12 inches of space between the soil and the bottom of the floor joists. This is also considered a condition conducive.
What is faulty grade?
Grade is considered faulty when: the soil is sloped toward the structure; the outside soil level is even with or above the inside floor level; the stucco on the structure extends below the surface of the soil.
Why is wood-to-earth contact a condition conducive?
Structural wood members extending into the soil, or wood that is attached to the structure and extends into the soil (i.e. a fence), could allow subterranean termites to enter the wood and infest the structure without being visible to an inspection.
Why is excessive moisture a condition conducive?
Termites are attracted to moisture. The primary cause of excessive moisture in a crawlspace is insufficient ventilation. A subarea must have at least 1 square foot of open vent for each 150 square feet of area.
What is usually the cause of visible signs of excessive moisture in a subarea?
Plumbing leaks are usually the cause of visible signs (i.e. water-stained wood, damp or muddy soil) of excessive moisture in a subarea. Always recommend that water damaged wood be repaired or replaced.
When conducting an inspection, how do you test showers and tubs for leaks?
Plug or cover the drain, fill the tub or shower to a level 1 inch below the top, let stand for 15 minutes. If there is no edge to a shower, run the water for 5 minutes. Showers and tubs above the ground floor do not need to be water tested.
What family do Drywood Termites belong to?
Kalotermitidae
What is the primary, recommended treatment in California for Drywood termites?
Fumigation. Tarp and gas the structure
What are the “secondary substandard” treatments for Drywood termites in California?
Spot treatment - drill and inject galleries.
Remove and replace damaged wood members
