CA BRANCH 3 Structural Pest Control |
study guide Comprehensive Questions &
Verified Answers
Complete Description
This “CA BRANCH 3 Structural Pest Control ” (Wood Destroying Pests),
covering key areas like termite types (subterranean, drywood), wood
damage identification (rotten wood appearance), treatment methods
(borates, foams), laws/regulations (SPCB roles, license requirements), and
general pest control principles (IPM, pesticide s like
pyrethroids/organophosphates). You'll find terms for common pests (ants,
beetles, rodents) and their habits, plus specific application details for
wood-destroying organisms (WDOs). The Ultimate Guide for YR.
2026/2027
Quiz_________________?
How do subterranean termites most often infest wood in buildings? -
Answer
They gain entry through untreated wood that touches or is close to the ground,
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.
Quiz_________________?
Describe the frass pellets of drywood termites. -
Answer
They are small and cylindrical with six depressions on the sides. These pellets are
unique to drywood termites and are used for identification.
1
, Quiz_________________?
Where do drywood termites most often occur? -
Answer
In southern Florida, southern California, and along the southern gulf coast of the
United States.
Quiz_________________?
Do drywood termites live entirely within wood? Why or why not? -
Answer
Yes, because they require little moisture (wood MCs as low as 5%). Unlike
subterranean termites, drywood termites have no connection with the soil.
Quiz_________________?
List several ways you can protect wood from termites. -
Answer
To protect wood from subterranean termites, you can:
• apply insecticides to the soil around buildings, and
• avoid using wood mulches next to buildings.
2
,To protect wood from subterranean and drywood termites, you can:
• use physical barriers on foundations, and
• use properly preserved wood, which makes it undesirable as a food source.
Quiz_________________?
Describe the frass of powderpost beetles. -
Answer
Powderpost beetle frass appears as a fine wood dust or powder. Slight jarring of
infested wood can cause the frass to sift from holes. This is a sure sign of a
powderpost beetle infestation. In addition, the frass of anobiid beetles has a
distinctive hotdog bun shape.
Quiz_________________?
For most wood-boring beetles, what life stage causes the most damage to wood
by boring inside the wood? -
Answer
The larvae (grub). The exception is the ambrosia beetle in which the adult bores
within the wood.
3
, Quiz_________________?
How do ambrosia beetles damage wood? -
Answer
They degrade wood by staining it, by creating numerous entrance holes
(pinholes), and by boring inside the wood.
Quiz_________________?
How can you tell the difference between wood suffering from brown rot and
wood suffering from white rot? -
Answer
Wood infested with brown rot typically:
• appears dark brown,
• shows excessive shrinkage,
• develops cross-grain cracking, and
• can be crushed easily to form a brownish powder.
4
study guide Comprehensive Questions &
Verified Answers
Complete Description
This “CA BRANCH 3 Structural Pest Control ” (Wood Destroying Pests),
covering key areas like termite types (subterranean, drywood), wood
damage identification (rotten wood appearance), treatment methods
(borates, foams), laws/regulations (SPCB roles, license requirements), and
general pest control principles (IPM, pesticide s like
pyrethroids/organophosphates). You'll find terms for common pests (ants,
beetles, rodents) and their habits, plus specific application details for
wood-destroying organisms (WDOs). The Ultimate Guide for YR.
2026/2027
Quiz_________________?
How do subterranean termites most often infest wood in buildings? -
Answer
They gain entry through untreated wood that touches or is close to the ground,
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.
Quiz_________________?
Describe the frass pellets of drywood termites. -
Answer
They are small and cylindrical with six depressions on the sides. These pellets are
unique to drywood termites and are used for identification.
1
, Quiz_________________?
Where do drywood termites most often occur? -
Answer
In southern Florida, southern California, and along the southern gulf coast of the
United States.
Quiz_________________?
Do drywood termites live entirely within wood? Why or why not? -
Answer
Yes, because they require little moisture (wood MCs as low as 5%). Unlike
subterranean termites, drywood termites have no connection with the soil.
Quiz_________________?
List several ways you can protect wood from termites. -
Answer
To protect wood from subterranean termites, you can:
• apply insecticides to the soil around buildings, and
• avoid using wood mulches next to buildings.
2
,To protect wood from subterranean and drywood termites, you can:
• use physical barriers on foundations, and
• use properly preserved wood, which makes it undesirable as a food source.
Quiz_________________?
Describe the frass of powderpost beetles. -
Answer
Powderpost beetle frass appears as a fine wood dust or powder. Slight jarring of
infested wood can cause the frass to sift from holes. This is a sure sign of a
powderpost beetle infestation. In addition, the frass of anobiid beetles has a
distinctive hotdog bun shape.
Quiz_________________?
For most wood-boring beetles, what life stage causes the most damage to wood
by boring inside the wood? -
Answer
The larvae (grub). The exception is the ambrosia beetle in which the adult bores
within the wood.
3
, Quiz_________________?
How do ambrosia beetles damage wood? -
Answer
They degrade wood by staining it, by creating numerous entrance holes
(pinholes), and by boring inside the wood.
Quiz_________________?
How can you tell the difference between wood suffering from brown rot and
wood suffering from white rot? -
Answer
Wood infested with brown rot typically:
• appears dark brown,
• shows excessive shrinkage,
• develops cross-grain cracking, and
• can be crushed easily to form a brownish powder.
4
