Termites

Question 0

Describe the head of a Subterranean Termite soldier?

Answer 0

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.

Question 1

Describe the head of a Drywood Termite soldier?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Describe the physical appearance of a Drywood termite swarmer?

Answer 2

Drywood swarmers (alates) are reddish-brown in color. They can also be distinguished by the presence of cross-veins in their wings.

Question 3

Which type of termite can be identified by the teardrop shaped head of the soldiers?

Answer 3

Formosan termite

Question 4

Which species of termite will eat across the grain of the wood as well as with the grain?

Answer 4

Drywood termites will eat both across the wood grain and in the same direction of the grain

Question 5

What license category must you have to perform a fumigation?

Answer 5

Branch 1

Question 6

What order of insects do termites belong to?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What are the three main termite species that are of concern in California?

Answer 7

Subterranean - Rhinotermitidae
Drywood - Kalotermidae
Dampwood - Hodotermitidae

Question 8

What type of mouthparts do termites have?

Answer 8

Termites have chewing mouthparts.

Question 9

Wood is made up of three parts, what are they?

Answer 9

Cellulose - the “preferred” food. Also made into paper and cardboard
Lignin- avoided by termites in wood
Lingocellulose

Question 10

What are the divisions in the termite caste system?

Answer 10

Reproductives; workers/nymphs; soldiers

Question 11

What are the two types of termite Reproductives?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

What do the Soldier termites do?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

What do the Worker or Nymph termites do?

Answer 13

Workers and Nymphs do all the work - build galleries, feed the colony, and cause all the damage. Subs = Workers; Drywoods = Nymphs

Question 14

What are some “conditions conducive”?

Answer 14

Faulty grade, excessive moisture, excessive cellulose debris, wood-to-earth contact, insufficient ventilation (of a crawl space), stucco below grade

Question 15

What is meant by “inaccessible subarea”?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

What is faulty grade?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Why is wood-to-earth contact a condition conducive?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Why is excessive moisture a condition conducive?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

What is usually the cause of visible signs of excessive moisture in a subarea?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

When conducting an inspection, how do you test showers and tubs for leaks?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

What family do Drywood Termites belong to?

Answer 21

Kalotermitidae

Question 22

What is the primary, recommended treatment in California for Drywood termites?

Answer 22

Fumigation. Tarp and gas the structure

Question 23

What are the “secondary substandard” treatments for Drywood termites in California?

Answer 23

Spot treatment - drill and inject galleries.

Remove and replace damaged wood members