Page 1 of 40
BRANCH 2 SPCB (STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL
BOARD) GENERAL PEST CONTROL ACTUAL EXAM
2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES ALREADY A GRADED
WITH EXPERT FEEDBACK |NEW AND REVISED
1. What is the scientific order for termites?
A. Diptera
B. Isoptera
C. Coleoptera
D. Hymenoptera
Rationale: Isoptera means "equal wings" and includes all termite species.
Diptera are flies; Coleoptera are beetles; Hymenoptera includes ants, bees, and
wasps.
2. Under the Georgia Structural Pest Control Act, which agency is responsible for
issuing licenses to pest control operators?
A. Georgia Department of Public Health
B. Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA)
C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
D. Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission (GSPCC)
– The GSPCC adopts rules, but the GDA administers and issues licenses.
3. A new employee is hired and the boss wants him to handle pesticides during his
first week. When must that employee be trained in relation to pesticide use?
A. Within 24 hours of pesticide contact
B. Before using pesticides
C. Within 7 days of hire
D. During the first weekly safety meeting
Rationale: Employees handling pesticides must receive training before any
pesticide use. Training includes information on pesticide safety, application, and
emergency procedures.
4. What is the minimum number of nymphal stages in a bed bug's life cycle prior to
adulthood?
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A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
Rationale: The bed bug life cycle includes egg, five nymphal stages (instars), and
adult. A blood meal is required for each nymphal stage to molt to the next.
5. What information must be on all service container pesticide labels according to
SPCB regulations?
A. Signal Word, EPA Registration Number, and Net Contents
B. Signal word, name/address of responsible party, and identity of the
pesticide
C. Directions for Use, Signal Word, and EPA Registration Number
D. Manufacturer's Name, Batch Number, and Expiration Date
Rationale: Service container labels require three specific items: the Signal Word
(e.g., CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER), the name and address of the person or
firm responsible for the container, and the identity of the pesticide.
6. Which type of fly would you most likely see breeding in a commercial trash
bin?
A. Drain fly
B. House fly
C. Cluster fly
D. Stable fly
Rationale: House flies (Musca domestica) breed abundantly in decaying organic
matter, including garbage, manure, and trash bins. Drain flies breed in organic
slime; cluster flies develop as parasites in earthworms.
7. When dealing with a heavy roach infestation, what is the first step a technician
should take?
A. Apply a perimeter barrier
B. Inspect
C. Apply gel baits
D. Fog the entire structure
Rationale: Inspection is the first step in any integrated pest management (IPM)
approach to identify pest species, harborage areas, and the extent of the
infestation. Treatment without inspection can be ineffective and wastes product.
,Page 3 of 40
8. Which pesticide formulation should be used to avoid visible residue on treated
surfaces?
A. Wettable powder
B. Dust
C. Emulsifiable concentrate
D. Granule
Rationale: Emulsifiable concentrates (ECs) leave minimal visible residue, unlike
wettable powders (WPs) and dusts which can leave a white or powdery residue.
This makes ECs ideal for applications where aesthetics are important.
9. Why might you use a dust formulation on a rainy or drizzling day?
A. Dusts are water-soluble and safe for rain
B. Dusts require moisture to activate
C. Dusts are not diluted or washed away by rain and can be applied in voids
D. Dusts are illegal during rain
Rationale: Dust formulations can be applied during light rain or drizzle in
protected areas (e.g., wall voids, attics) as they are not as readily displaced by
moisture as liquid sprays. However, outdoor applications should avoid rain.
10. A 1-quart sprayer holds how many pints?
A. 1 pint
B. 2 pints
C. 3 pints
D. 4 pints
*Rationale: Volume conversion: 1 quart = 2 pints = 32 fluid ounces. This is a
foundational measurement for mixing pesticide concentrates.*
11. When performing an initial treatment for fleas in a vacant home, what should
you consider?
A. Only treat carpets and furniture
B. Set off a bug bomb and leave
C. Consider animals that may be harboring in the basement or under the
home
D. Focus treatment only on the upper floors
Rationale: Vacant homes may still harbor wildlife or feral animals in
crawlspaces, attics, or basements that can serve as hosts for fleas and re-infest
the home. These animals must be excluded to achieve control.
, Page 4 of 40
12. Part of the label that contains instructions to tell you how to use the pesticide is
called the:
A. Precautionary Statement
B. Environmental Hazards
C. Directions for Use
D. Storage and Disposal
Rationale: The "Directions for Use" section specifies application methods, rates,
target pests, and sites where the pesticide may be applied. Using a pesticide in a
manner inconsistent with the labeling is a violation of Federal law.
13. What is the typical length of time a bed bug requires to complete each blood
meal?
A. 30 seconds to 1 minute
B. 1-2 minutes
C. 2-3 minutes
D. 3-10 minutes
*Rationale: Bed bugs typically feed for 3-10 minutes before withdrawing. They
are nocturnal and feed on exposed skin while the host is sleeping. The feeding
time allows for complete engorgement.*
14. How many days does it take for a Brown Banded Cockroach egg capsule
(ootheca) to hatch?
A. 30-45 days
B. 50-90 days
C. 90-120 days
D. 120-180 days
*Rationale: The ootheca of the Brown Banded Cockroach hatches in
approximately 50-90 days, which is longer than many other domestic cockroach
species. Females carry the ootheca for about 1-2 days before attaching it to a
surface.*
15. Ants prefer foods that are:
A. Only sugary
B. Only greasy
C. Greasy, starchy, and sweet
D. Only protein-based
Rationale: Ant species vary in dietary preferences. Some prefer sweet baits
(sugars), others prefer protein or grease-based baits. Bait selection must match
BRANCH 2 SPCB (STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL
BOARD) GENERAL PEST CONTROL ACTUAL EXAM
2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES ALREADY A GRADED
WITH EXPERT FEEDBACK |NEW AND REVISED
1. What is the scientific order for termites?
A. Diptera
B. Isoptera
C. Coleoptera
D. Hymenoptera
Rationale: Isoptera means "equal wings" and includes all termite species.
Diptera are flies; Coleoptera are beetles; Hymenoptera includes ants, bees, and
wasps.
2. Under the Georgia Structural Pest Control Act, which agency is responsible for
issuing licenses to pest control operators?
A. Georgia Department of Public Health
B. Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA)
C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
D. Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission (GSPCC)
– The GSPCC adopts rules, but the GDA administers and issues licenses.
3. A new employee is hired and the boss wants him to handle pesticides during his
first week. When must that employee be trained in relation to pesticide use?
A. Within 24 hours of pesticide contact
B. Before using pesticides
C. Within 7 days of hire
D. During the first weekly safety meeting
Rationale: Employees handling pesticides must receive training before any
pesticide use. Training includes information on pesticide safety, application, and
emergency procedures.
4. What is the minimum number of nymphal stages in a bed bug's life cycle prior to
adulthood?
,Page 2 of 40
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
Rationale: The bed bug life cycle includes egg, five nymphal stages (instars), and
adult. A blood meal is required for each nymphal stage to molt to the next.
5. What information must be on all service container pesticide labels according to
SPCB regulations?
A. Signal Word, EPA Registration Number, and Net Contents
B. Signal word, name/address of responsible party, and identity of the
pesticide
C. Directions for Use, Signal Word, and EPA Registration Number
D. Manufacturer's Name, Batch Number, and Expiration Date
Rationale: Service container labels require three specific items: the Signal Word
(e.g., CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER), the name and address of the person or
firm responsible for the container, and the identity of the pesticide.
6. Which type of fly would you most likely see breeding in a commercial trash
bin?
A. Drain fly
B. House fly
C. Cluster fly
D. Stable fly
Rationale: House flies (Musca domestica) breed abundantly in decaying organic
matter, including garbage, manure, and trash bins. Drain flies breed in organic
slime; cluster flies develop as parasites in earthworms.
7. When dealing with a heavy roach infestation, what is the first step a technician
should take?
A. Apply a perimeter barrier
B. Inspect
C. Apply gel baits
D. Fog the entire structure
Rationale: Inspection is the first step in any integrated pest management (IPM)
approach to identify pest species, harborage areas, and the extent of the
infestation. Treatment without inspection can be ineffective and wastes product.
,Page 3 of 40
8. Which pesticide formulation should be used to avoid visible residue on treated
surfaces?
A. Wettable powder
B. Dust
C. Emulsifiable concentrate
D. Granule
Rationale: Emulsifiable concentrates (ECs) leave minimal visible residue, unlike
wettable powders (WPs) and dusts which can leave a white or powdery residue.
This makes ECs ideal for applications where aesthetics are important.
9. Why might you use a dust formulation on a rainy or drizzling day?
A. Dusts are water-soluble and safe for rain
B. Dusts require moisture to activate
C. Dusts are not diluted or washed away by rain and can be applied in voids
D. Dusts are illegal during rain
Rationale: Dust formulations can be applied during light rain or drizzle in
protected areas (e.g., wall voids, attics) as they are not as readily displaced by
moisture as liquid sprays. However, outdoor applications should avoid rain.
10. A 1-quart sprayer holds how many pints?
A. 1 pint
B. 2 pints
C. 3 pints
D. 4 pints
*Rationale: Volume conversion: 1 quart = 2 pints = 32 fluid ounces. This is a
foundational measurement for mixing pesticide concentrates.*
11. When performing an initial treatment for fleas in a vacant home, what should
you consider?
A. Only treat carpets and furniture
B. Set off a bug bomb and leave
C. Consider animals that may be harboring in the basement or under the
home
D. Focus treatment only on the upper floors
Rationale: Vacant homes may still harbor wildlife or feral animals in
crawlspaces, attics, or basements that can serve as hosts for fleas and re-infest
the home. These animals must be excluded to achieve control.
, Page 4 of 40
12. Part of the label that contains instructions to tell you how to use the pesticide is
called the:
A. Precautionary Statement
B. Environmental Hazards
C. Directions for Use
D. Storage and Disposal
Rationale: The "Directions for Use" section specifies application methods, rates,
target pests, and sites where the pesticide may be applied. Using a pesticide in a
manner inconsistent with the labeling is a violation of Federal law.
13. What is the typical length of time a bed bug requires to complete each blood
meal?
A. 30 seconds to 1 minute
B. 1-2 minutes
C. 2-3 minutes
D. 3-10 minutes
*Rationale: Bed bugs typically feed for 3-10 minutes before withdrawing. They
are nocturnal and feed on exposed skin while the host is sleeping. The feeding
time allows for complete engorgement.*
14. How many days does it take for a Brown Banded Cockroach egg capsule
(ootheca) to hatch?
A. 30-45 days
B. 50-90 days
C. 90-120 days
D. 120-180 days
*Rationale: The ootheca of the Brown Banded Cockroach hatches in
approximately 50-90 days, which is longer than many other domestic cockroach
species. Females carry the ootheca for about 1-2 days before attaching it to a
surface.*
15. Ants prefer foods that are:
A. Only sugary
B. Only greasy
C. Greasy, starchy, and sweet
D. Only protein-based
Rationale: Ant species vary in dietary preferences. Some prefer sweet baits
(sugars), others prefer protein or grease-based baits. Bait selection must match
