Structural Pest Control Technician Exam
Questions With Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which of the following is the primary method of termite colony
detection?
A. Visual inspection for mud tubes
B. Setting sticky traps
C. Applying contact insecticide
D. Monitoring pheromone traps
A. Visual inspection for mud tubes
Termites build mud tubes to travel between soil and wood, which are a
primary indicator of infestation.
2. The most common type of subterranean termite in the U.S. is:
A. Drywood termite
B. Formosan termite
C. Eastern subterranean termite
D. Dampwood termite
C. Eastern subterranean termite
Eastern subterranean termites are widespread in the U.S. and typically
infest soil-contact structures.
3. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when
applying termiticides?
,A. Hard hat and steel-toed boots
B. Gloves, goggles, and respirator
C. Apron and rubber boots only
D. None
B. Gloves, goggles, and respirator
Pesticide exposure can occur through skin contact and inhalation; PPE
prevents contamination and injury.
4. Wood decay fungi require which of the following to thrive?
A. Sunlight
B. Moisture and oxygen
C. Dry conditions
D. Insect presence
B. Moisture and oxygen
Fungi break down wood cellulose and require moisture to grow, which is
why dry wood is less susceptible.
5. Which method is most effective for controlling drywood termites
inside a home?
A. Soil treatment
B. Fumigation
C. Spraying lawn chemicals
D. Trapping
B. Fumigation
Drywood termites live entirely within wood; whole-structure fumigation
penetrates all infested areas.
6. Which of the following is a visible sign of carpenter ant activity?
,A. Sawdust piles near wood
B. Mud tubes on walls
C. Leaf damage
D. Wilting plants
A. Sawdust piles near wood
Carpenter ants excavate wood to create nests, leaving behind sawdust
called frass.
7. When applying a liquid termiticide, the most important
consideration is:
A. Temperature of the soil
B. Depth of soil treatment
C. Application rate and coverage
D. Color of the pesticide
C. Application rate and coverage
Proper coverage ensures an effective chemical barrier to prevent termite
entry.
8. Which insect is considered a stored-product pest?
A. German cockroach
B. Cigarette beetle
C. Carpenter bee
D. Subterranean termite
B. Cigarette beetle
Cigarette beetles infest dried food and tobacco products in storage.
9. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) emphasizes:
A. Complete elimination of all insects
B. Combining chemical, cultural, and physical control methods
, C. Using only chemical treatments
D. Ignoring environmental impact
B. Combining chemical, cultural, and physical control methods
IPM reduces reliance on pesticides and targets long-term sustainable
control.
10. Which of the following is a sign of drywood termite infestation?
A. Mud tubes on soil
B. Winged termite swarms
C. Frass (small wood pellets)
D. Soil mounds
C. Frass (small wood pellets)
Drywood termites eject frass from galleries as a sign of active
infestation.
11. The key difference between subterranean and drywood termites
is:
A. Subterranean termites require contact with soil; drywood do not
B. Subterranean termites live in wood only; drywood live in soil
C. Only drywood termites fly
D. Subterranean termites do not eat wood
A. Subterranean termites require contact with soil; drywood do not
Subterranean termites need moisture from soil, whereas drywood
termites can infest dry wood.
12. Borate treatments are most effective for:
A. Exterior lawns
B. Non-structural surfaces
C. Wood protection against termites and decay
Questions With Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary method of termite colony
detection?
A. Visual inspection for mud tubes
B. Setting sticky traps
C. Applying contact insecticide
D. Monitoring pheromone traps
A. Visual inspection for mud tubes
Termites build mud tubes to travel between soil and wood, which are a
primary indicator of infestation.
2. The most common type of subterranean termite in the U.S. is:
A. Drywood termite
B. Formosan termite
C. Eastern subterranean termite
D. Dampwood termite
C. Eastern subterranean termite
Eastern subterranean termites are widespread in the U.S. and typically
infest soil-contact structures.
3. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when
applying termiticides?
,A. Hard hat and steel-toed boots
B. Gloves, goggles, and respirator
C. Apron and rubber boots only
D. None
B. Gloves, goggles, and respirator
Pesticide exposure can occur through skin contact and inhalation; PPE
prevents contamination and injury.
4. Wood decay fungi require which of the following to thrive?
A. Sunlight
B. Moisture and oxygen
C. Dry conditions
D. Insect presence
B. Moisture and oxygen
Fungi break down wood cellulose and require moisture to grow, which is
why dry wood is less susceptible.
5. Which method is most effective for controlling drywood termites
inside a home?
A. Soil treatment
B. Fumigation
C. Spraying lawn chemicals
D. Trapping
B. Fumigation
Drywood termites live entirely within wood; whole-structure fumigation
penetrates all infested areas.
6. Which of the following is a visible sign of carpenter ant activity?
,A. Sawdust piles near wood
B. Mud tubes on walls
C. Leaf damage
D. Wilting plants
A. Sawdust piles near wood
Carpenter ants excavate wood to create nests, leaving behind sawdust
called frass.
7. When applying a liquid termiticide, the most important
consideration is:
A. Temperature of the soil
B. Depth of soil treatment
C. Application rate and coverage
D. Color of the pesticide
C. Application rate and coverage
Proper coverage ensures an effective chemical barrier to prevent termite
entry.
8. Which insect is considered a stored-product pest?
A. German cockroach
B. Cigarette beetle
C. Carpenter bee
D. Subterranean termite
B. Cigarette beetle
Cigarette beetles infest dried food and tobacco products in storage.
9. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) emphasizes:
A. Complete elimination of all insects
B. Combining chemical, cultural, and physical control methods
, C. Using only chemical treatments
D. Ignoring environmental impact
B. Combining chemical, cultural, and physical control methods
IPM reduces reliance on pesticides and targets long-term sustainable
control.
10. Which of the following is a sign of drywood termite infestation?
A. Mud tubes on soil
B. Winged termite swarms
C. Frass (small wood pellets)
D. Soil mounds
C. Frass (small wood pellets)
Drywood termites eject frass from galleries as a sign of active
infestation.
11. The key difference between subterranean and drywood termites
is:
A. Subterranean termites require contact with soil; drywood do not
B. Subterranean termites live in wood only; drywood live in soil
C. Only drywood termites fly
D. Subterranean termites do not eat wood
A. Subterranean termites require contact with soil; drywood do not
Subterranean termites need moisture from soil, whereas drywood
termites can infest dry wood.
12. Borate treatments are most effective for:
A. Exterior lawns
B. Non-structural surfaces
C. Wood protection against termites and decay
