SC General and Structural Pest Control
7A Exam (Latest 2026/2027 Update)
Complete Questions and Guide
ANSWERs, 100% Verified Graded A+
What is the series of events from egg to adult called? - ANSWER Lifecycle
What is metamorphosis? - ANSWER The change that must take place in before the
young insect matures into an adult is called Metamorphosis
What Phylum do all insect-related animals belong to? - ANSWER All insect-related
animals such as mites, ticks, and spiders belong to a phulum called the Arthropoda
What are Arachnids? - ANSWER Spiders, Mites, scorpions, and ticks. Most arthropod
pests are insects or arachnids.
- four pairs of legs
- two body segments (abdomen and cephalothorax)
Name the four control strategies used to attempt the control of arthropods or rodents. -
ANSWER 1. Resource Management/Environment Manipulation
2. Prevention/Mechanical Barriers
3. Biological Control
4. Chemical Control
Resource Management/Environment Manipulation - ANSWER Management of food,
water, and shelter availability, and habitat modification to minimize or eliminate pest is
usually one of the most effective methods for controlling pests.
Prevention/Mechanical Barriers - ANSWER Barriers such as screens, netting, and
protective clothing all are mechanical means to protect people from biting and nuisance
insects.
Biological Control - ANSWER The use of predators, parasites, and pathogens (insect
diseases) can be effective in controlling some pest species, if the beneficial organisms
can establish themselves or if a population can be maintained.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - ANSWER This concept uses a combination of
biological, environmental and chemical control methods
IPM- How? - ANSWER Controlling pests by stressing non-chemical methods is the
goal of pest management programs
,IPM- Why? - ANSWER An IPM program seeks to maintain to maintain pest populations
below the level at which they cause problems.
IPM - ANSWER It is an alternative and improved approach to traditional pest
management. I uses information on the life cycles of pests and their interactions with
the environment, in combination with available pest control methods, to manage pests
by the most economical means with the least possible damage to people, property, and
the environment.
IPM- Program - ANSWER Under an IPM program, spraying is used ONLY when
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
What is the difference between winged ants and termite swarmers? - ANSWER Thee
key features can quickly identify winged ants:
1. A pinched waist
2. Elbowed antennae
3. Wings of different lengths
Which ant species has a heart-shaped abdomen? - ANSWER Acrobat Ant
Where do odorous house ants get their name? - ANSWER The odor they give off when
they are crushed, smells like rotten coconut
What type of control is best for red imported fire ants? - ANSWER Broadcast baiting
followed by mound drenching
What is "budding"? - ANSWER When pharaoh ants separate into multiple colonies due
to liquid insecticide treatment
Order - ANSWER Group of similar families
Complete Metamorphosis - ANSWER Insect development consisting of four stages:
egg, larva, pupa, and adult
Castes - ANSWER - ants in a colony are grouped into castes based off of the tasks
they perform.
- Castes consist of workers, queens and alates.
Ant workers - ANSWER - Sterile females, and they make up the largest cast in the ant
colony
- The workers protect the nest against invaders, gather food, serve the queen, and care
for the young ants
Ants (food) - ANSWER - Collected by foraging workers is passed mouth to mouth
among themselves and to other workers, larvae, and the queen.
, - This process is the only means by which the queen and larvae of the ant colony can
obtain food
- This transfer of food is an important element in the design and effectiveness of ant
baits
Alates - ANSWER Winged adult fertile males and females that leave existing colonies
to establish new ones
Male ants - ANSWER - Found in colonies only during swarmer formation
- Sole purpose: mating, and most die soon afterwards.
Control of Ants - ANSWER - Usually multi-step process including
- Proper Identification
- Location of all nests
- Baiting
- Perimeter barrier treatment
- Non-chemical methods
Five Types of Ants in South Carolina that cause most problems - ANSWER 1. Red
Imported Fire Ants
2. Argentine Ants
3. Odorous House Ants
4. Pharaoh Ants
5. Acrobat Ants
Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) - ANSWER - Redish-Brown
- 1/16 to 1/4 of an inch
- Extremely Aggressive
- Workers are different sizes (Polymorphic)
- Prefers open areas, yards, school playgrounds, athletic fields, campgrounds, and golf
courses
- Sometimes nest in gas and water meter boxes, air conditioners, and other electrical
equipment
- Follow pipes into structures
Red Imported Fire Ant Control - ANSWER -Non-chemical control- lawn cut short
- Chemical control is best option
- Best achieved with two step process:
1. Broadcast a bait
2. Treat individual mounds with an approved mound drench, granule, aerosol, or dust
insecticide
(individual mounds should be treated no sooner than 7 days after baits are applied
Argentine Ants - ANSWER - Do not sting
- 1/16 of an inch, they are tiny
- light brown to dark brown
7A Exam (Latest 2026/2027 Update)
Complete Questions and Guide
ANSWERs, 100% Verified Graded A+
What is the series of events from egg to adult called? - ANSWER Lifecycle
What is metamorphosis? - ANSWER The change that must take place in before the
young insect matures into an adult is called Metamorphosis
What Phylum do all insect-related animals belong to? - ANSWER All insect-related
animals such as mites, ticks, and spiders belong to a phulum called the Arthropoda
What are Arachnids? - ANSWER Spiders, Mites, scorpions, and ticks. Most arthropod
pests are insects or arachnids.
- four pairs of legs
- two body segments (abdomen and cephalothorax)
Name the four control strategies used to attempt the control of arthropods or rodents. -
ANSWER 1. Resource Management/Environment Manipulation
2. Prevention/Mechanical Barriers
3. Biological Control
4. Chemical Control
Resource Management/Environment Manipulation - ANSWER Management of food,
water, and shelter availability, and habitat modification to minimize or eliminate pest is
usually one of the most effective methods for controlling pests.
Prevention/Mechanical Barriers - ANSWER Barriers such as screens, netting, and
protective clothing all are mechanical means to protect people from biting and nuisance
insects.
Biological Control - ANSWER The use of predators, parasites, and pathogens (insect
diseases) can be effective in controlling some pest species, if the beneficial organisms
can establish themselves or if a population can be maintained.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - ANSWER This concept uses a combination of
biological, environmental and chemical control methods
IPM- How? - ANSWER Controlling pests by stressing non-chemical methods is the
goal of pest management programs
,IPM- Why? - ANSWER An IPM program seeks to maintain to maintain pest populations
below the level at which they cause problems.
IPM - ANSWER It is an alternative and improved approach to traditional pest
management. I uses information on the life cycles of pests and their interactions with
the environment, in combination with available pest control methods, to manage pests
by the most economical means with the least possible damage to people, property, and
the environment.
IPM- Program - ANSWER Under an IPM program, spraying is used ONLY when
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
What is the difference between winged ants and termite swarmers? - ANSWER Thee
key features can quickly identify winged ants:
1. A pinched waist
2. Elbowed antennae
3. Wings of different lengths
Which ant species has a heart-shaped abdomen? - ANSWER Acrobat Ant
Where do odorous house ants get their name? - ANSWER The odor they give off when
they are crushed, smells like rotten coconut
What type of control is best for red imported fire ants? - ANSWER Broadcast baiting
followed by mound drenching
What is "budding"? - ANSWER When pharaoh ants separate into multiple colonies due
to liquid insecticide treatment
Order - ANSWER Group of similar families
Complete Metamorphosis - ANSWER Insect development consisting of four stages:
egg, larva, pupa, and adult
Castes - ANSWER - ants in a colony are grouped into castes based off of the tasks
they perform.
- Castes consist of workers, queens and alates.
Ant workers - ANSWER - Sterile females, and they make up the largest cast in the ant
colony
- The workers protect the nest against invaders, gather food, serve the queen, and care
for the young ants
Ants (food) - ANSWER - Collected by foraging workers is passed mouth to mouth
among themselves and to other workers, larvae, and the queen.
, - This process is the only means by which the queen and larvae of the ant colony can
obtain food
- This transfer of food is an important element in the design and effectiveness of ant
baits
Alates - ANSWER Winged adult fertile males and females that leave existing colonies
to establish new ones
Male ants - ANSWER - Found in colonies only during swarmer formation
- Sole purpose: mating, and most die soon afterwards.
Control of Ants - ANSWER - Usually multi-step process including
- Proper Identification
- Location of all nests
- Baiting
- Perimeter barrier treatment
- Non-chemical methods
Five Types of Ants in South Carolina that cause most problems - ANSWER 1. Red
Imported Fire Ants
2. Argentine Ants
3. Odorous House Ants
4. Pharaoh Ants
5. Acrobat Ants
Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) - ANSWER - Redish-Brown
- 1/16 to 1/4 of an inch
- Extremely Aggressive
- Workers are different sizes (Polymorphic)
- Prefers open areas, yards, school playgrounds, athletic fields, campgrounds, and golf
courses
- Sometimes nest in gas and water meter boxes, air conditioners, and other electrical
equipment
- Follow pipes into structures
Red Imported Fire Ant Control - ANSWER -Non-chemical control- lawn cut short
- Chemical control is best option
- Best achieved with two step process:
1. Broadcast a bait
2. Treat individual mounds with an approved mound drench, granule, aerosol, or dust
insecticide
(individual mounds should be treated no sooner than 7 days after baits are applied
Argentine Ants - ANSWER - Do not sting
- 1/16 of an inch, they are tiny
- light brown to dark brown
