CA BRANCH 3 STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL
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Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
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,How can you tell the difference between wood suffering from Wood infested with brown rot typically:
brown rot and wood suffering from white rot?
• appears dark brown,
• shows excessive shrinkage,
• develops cross-grain cracking, and
• can be crushed easily to form a brownish powder.
Wood infested with white rot on the other hand, often:
• appears whiter than normal,
• shows normal shrinkage,
• does not crack across the grain,
• is spongy to the touch.
What is the difference between the stains caused by stain Sapstain fungi live on the starch in wood cells. These fungi may discolor the sapwood
(sapstain) fungi vs. mold fungi? entirely or in patches. This stain is deep within the wood and cannot be removed by
brushing or planing.
On the other hand, discoloration caused by mold fungi is superficial. This means that you
can usually remove the discoloration by brushing or planing. However, on hardwoods
with open pores (very large and visible vessels) such as the oaks, the surface molds may
cause stains that are too deep to remove easily.
, How can you distinguish between winged termites and Look at their antennae, waists, and wings. Winged termites have straight antennae, thick
winged ants? waists, and wings that are equal in size and shape. Winged ants have bent antennae,
narrow waists, and forewings that are larger than the hind wings.
Name the four basic castes of termites. Describe the basic Workers - gather food, maintain the galleries, tend the young, and groom the other
function(s) of each caste. termites.
Soldiers - guard the colony against predators.
Primary reproductives - "swarmers" that fly out of their colonies to start new colonies of
their own. They are the future kinds and queens of new colonies.
Secondary reproductives - supplement egg production in the presence of the king and
queen and can take over the egg laying if the queen dies or begins to fail.
Do subterranean termites live entirely within wood? Why or No, because they require a constant source of moisture to survive. However, they can live
why not? in wood with less than 20% moisture by getting their moisture from the ground. They
transport this moisture through flattened, earthen shelter tubes that serve as
passageways from the soil to the infested wood.
How do subterranean termites most often infest wood in They gain entry through untreated wood that touches or is close to the ground,
buildings? particularly at porches, steps, and terraces. They can also infest buildings through cracks
or voids in foundations or concrete floors that make it easy for termites to reach wood
that is not close to the soil.
Describe the frass pellets of drywood termites. They are small and cylindrical with six depressions on the sides. These pellets are unique
to drywood termites and are used for identification.
Where do drywood termites most often occur? In southern Florida, southern California, and along the southern gulf coast of the United
States.
Do drywood termites live entirely within wood? Why or why Yes, because they require little moisture (wood MCs as low as 5%). Unlike subterranean
not? termites, drywood termites have no connection with the soil.
| COMPLETE EXAM PREP, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep
,How can you tell the difference between wood suffering from Wood infested with brown rot typically:
brown rot and wood suffering from white rot?
• appears dark brown,
• shows excessive shrinkage,
• develops cross-grain cracking, and
• can be crushed easily to form a brownish powder.
Wood infested with white rot on the other hand, often:
• appears whiter than normal,
• shows normal shrinkage,
• does not crack across the grain,
• is spongy to the touch.
What is the difference between the stains caused by stain Sapstain fungi live on the starch in wood cells. These fungi may discolor the sapwood
(sapstain) fungi vs. mold fungi? entirely or in patches. This stain is deep within the wood and cannot be removed by
brushing or planing.
On the other hand, discoloration caused by mold fungi is superficial. This means that you
can usually remove the discoloration by brushing or planing. However, on hardwoods
with open pores (very large and visible vessels) such as the oaks, the surface molds may
cause stains that are too deep to remove easily.
, How can you distinguish between winged termites and Look at their antennae, waists, and wings. Winged termites have straight antennae, thick
winged ants? waists, and wings that are equal in size and shape. Winged ants have bent antennae,
narrow waists, and forewings that are larger than the hind wings.
Name the four basic castes of termites. Describe the basic Workers - gather food, maintain the galleries, tend the young, and groom the other
function(s) of each caste. termites.
Soldiers - guard the colony against predators.
Primary reproductives - "swarmers" that fly out of their colonies to start new colonies of
their own. They are the future kinds and queens of new colonies.
Secondary reproductives - supplement egg production in the presence of the king and
queen and can take over the egg laying if the queen dies or begins to fail.
Do subterranean termites live entirely within wood? Why or No, because they require a constant source of moisture to survive. However, they can live
why not? in wood with less than 20% moisture by getting their moisture from the ground. They
transport this moisture through flattened, earthen shelter tubes that serve as
passageways from the soil to the infested wood.
How do subterranean termites most often infest wood in They gain entry through untreated wood that touches or is close to the ground,
buildings? particularly at porches, steps, and terraces. They can also infest buildings through cracks
or voids in foundations or concrete floors that make it easy for termites to reach wood
that is not close to the soil.
Describe the frass pellets of drywood termites. They are small and cylindrical with six depressions on the sides. These pellets are unique
to drywood termites and are used for identification.
Where do drywood termites most often occur? In southern Florida, southern California, and along the southern gulf coast of the United
States.
Do drywood termites live entirely within wood? Why or why Yes, because they require little moisture (wood MCs as low as 5%). Unlike subterranean
not? termites, drywood termites have no connection with the soil.
