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GEORGIA WDO CATEGORY STUDY GUIDE – SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
This exam covers the full scope of the Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission's Wood-Destroying
Organism (WDO) Category requirements.. Key areas include:
• Termite Biology & Identification – Subterranean, Drywood, and Dampwood termites; caste
systems; swarming behavior; feeding habits.
• Other Wood-Destroying Organisms – Carpenter ants, carpenter bees, powderpost beetles, old
house borers, and decay fungi.
• Inspection Procedures – Proper tools, access points, crawlspaces, attics, basements, and exterior
grading; recognizing visible damage, frass, mud tubes, and exit holes.
• Treatment Methods – Soil-applied liquid termiticides, baits, borates, fumigation, and wood
preservatives; application techniques and label requirements.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – Moisture control, wood-to-soil clearance, ventilation,
grading, and physical barriers.
• Georgia Regulations & Safety – O.C.G.A. Title 43, licensing requirements, report writing, record
keeping, label compliance, PPE, and environmental protection.
• Scenario-Based Problem Solving – Real-world client interactions, inspection findings, treatment
recommendations, and legal obligations.
Mini-Exam 1 (Questions 1–10)
1. A homeowner in Savannah finds mud tubes on their foundation wall. The tubes are broken open and
contain no termites. What does this likely indicate?
a) An inactive infestation
b) A new infestation
c) Subterranean termites are still present elsewhere
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d) Drywood termites are present
[CORRECT] a) An inactive infestation
Rationale: Empty mud tubes often indicate an old or inactive infestation, but they can also be exploratory
tubes. A full inspection is still required to confirm activity.
2. Which of the following is the most reliable way to distinguish termite damage from water damage
during an inspection?
a) Color of the wood
b) Presence of frass or mud
c) Softness of the wood
d) Age of the building
[CORRECT] b) Presence of frass or mud
Rationale: Termite damage is typically accompanied by frass, mud tubes, or hollow-sounding wood with
distinct galleries, whereas water damage lacks these biological indicators.
3. A pest control company is treating a slab-on-grade home for subterranean termites. Which application
method is most appropriate?
a) Sub-slab injection
b) Topical wood spray
c) Fumigation
d) Borate foam injection
[CORRECT] a) Sub-slab injection
Rationale: Sub-slab injection is the standard method for treating termites under concrete slabs to create a
continuous soil barrier.
4. During a WDO inspection, you notice that the sill plate is in direct contact with the soil. What is your
primary recommendation?
a) Apply a borate treatment
b) Install a vapor barrier
c) Remove the soil to create a 6-inch clearance
d) Fumigate the area
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[CORRECT] c) Remove the soil to create a 6-inch clearance
Rationale: A 6-inch clearance between wood and soil is a key preventive measure against termites and
decay fungi.
5. A customer asks about the difference between swarming termites and swarming ants. Which feature is
definitive for termites?
a) Elbowed antennae
b) Two pairs of wings of equal length
c) Pinched waist
d) Dark brown color
[CORRECT] b) Two pairs of wings of equal length
Rationale: Termites have four wings of equal size, while ants have unequal front and hind wings.
6. You find a wood member with tunnels packed with soil-like material. This is most characteristic of:
a) Powderpost beetles
b) Subterranean termites
c) Carpenter bees
d) Old house borers
[CORRECT] b) Subterranean termites
Rationale: Subterranean termites pack their galleries with soil, mud, and feces, giving them a packed,
dirty appearance.
7. What is the minimum distance a termiticide barrier must extend around pipe penetrations?
a) 2 inches
b) 6 inches
c) 12 inches
d) 24 inches
[CORRECT] b) 6 inches
Rationale: Pipe penetrations must be treated thoroughly, typically to a radius of at least 6 inches, to
prevent termite entry points.
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8. A homeowner finds small, round exit holes in hardwood flooring. The frass is fine and powdery. Which
pest is most likely?
a) Drywood termites
b) Powderpost beetles
c) Carpenter ants
d) Dampwood termites
[CORRECT] b) Powderpost beetles
Rationale: Powderpost beetles produce fine, flour-like frass and leave distinct round exit holes.
9. Which Georgia regulation requires that all WDO inspectors be licensed by the Structural Pest Control
Commission?
a) O.C.G.A. Title 43
b) O.C.G.A. Title 10
c) EPA Regulation 40 CFR
d) OSHA Standard 1910
[CORRECT] a) O.C.G.A. Title 43
Rationale: O.C.G.A. Title 43 governs professional licensing, including pest control operators in Georgia.
10. You are inspecting a crawlspace and see fungal growth on the floor joists. What is your first
recommendation?
a) Apply a fungicide
b) Improve ventilation and reduce moisture
c) Replace all affected wood
d) Fumigate the crawlspace
[CORRECT] b) Improve ventilation and reduce moisture
Rationale: Moisture control is the primary method for preventing and stopping fungal decay; chemicals
are secondary.
Mini-Exam 2 (Questions 11–20)
11. A customer reports seeing winged insects emerging from a window sill in early spring. They are dark-
bodied and have a pinched waist. What are they most likely?
GEORGIA WDO CATEGORY STUDY GUIDE – SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
This exam covers the full scope of the Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission's Wood-Destroying
Organism (WDO) Category requirements.. Key areas include:
• Termite Biology & Identification – Subterranean, Drywood, and Dampwood termites; caste
systems; swarming behavior; feeding habits.
• Other Wood-Destroying Organisms – Carpenter ants, carpenter bees, powderpost beetles, old
house borers, and decay fungi.
• Inspection Procedures – Proper tools, access points, crawlspaces, attics, basements, and exterior
grading; recognizing visible damage, frass, mud tubes, and exit holes.
• Treatment Methods – Soil-applied liquid termiticides, baits, borates, fumigation, and wood
preservatives; application techniques and label requirements.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – Moisture control, wood-to-soil clearance, ventilation,
grading, and physical barriers.
• Georgia Regulations & Safety – O.C.G.A. Title 43, licensing requirements, report writing, record
keeping, label compliance, PPE, and environmental protection.
• Scenario-Based Problem Solving – Real-world client interactions, inspection findings, treatment
recommendations, and legal obligations.
Mini-Exam 1 (Questions 1–10)
1. A homeowner in Savannah finds mud tubes on their foundation wall. The tubes are broken open and
contain no termites. What does this likely indicate?
a) An inactive infestation
b) A new infestation
c) Subterranean termites are still present elsewhere
,2|Page
d) Drywood termites are present
[CORRECT] a) An inactive infestation
Rationale: Empty mud tubes often indicate an old or inactive infestation, but they can also be exploratory
tubes. A full inspection is still required to confirm activity.
2. Which of the following is the most reliable way to distinguish termite damage from water damage
during an inspection?
a) Color of the wood
b) Presence of frass or mud
c) Softness of the wood
d) Age of the building
[CORRECT] b) Presence of frass or mud
Rationale: Termite damage is typically accompanied by frass, mud tubes, or hollow-sounding wood with
distinct galleries, whereas water damage lacks these biological indicators.
3. A pest control company is treating a slab-on-grade home for subterranean termites. Which application
method is most appropriate?
a) Sub-slab injection
b) Topical wood spray
c) Fumigation
d) Borate foam injection
[CORRECT] a) Sub-slab injection
Rationale: Sub-slab injection is the standard method for treating termites under concrete slabs to create a
continuous soil barrier.
4. During a WDO inspection, you notice that the sill plate is in direct contact with the soil. What is your
primary recommendation?
a) Apply a borate treatment
b) Install a vapor barrier
c) Remove the soil to create a 6-inch clearance
d) Fumigate the area
,3|Page
[CORRECT] c) Remove the soil to create a 6-inch clearance
Rationale: A 6-inch clearance between wood and soil is a key preventive measure against termites and
decay fungi.
5. A customer asks about the difference between swarming termites and swarming ants. Which feature is
definitive for termites?
a) Elbowed antennae
b) Two pairs of wings of equal length
c) Pinched waist
d) Dark brown color
[CORRECT] b) Two pairs of wings of equal length
Rationale: Termites have four wings of equal size, while ants have unequal front and hind wings.
6. You find a wood member with tunnels packed with soil-like material. This is most characteristic of:
a) Powderpost beetles
b) Subterranean termites
c) Carpenter bees
d) Old house borers
[CORRECT] b) Subterranean termites
Rationale: Subterranean termites pack their galleries with soil, mud, and feces, giving them a packed,
dirty appearance.
7. What is the minimum distance a termiticide barrier must extend around pipe penetrations?
a) 2 inches
b) 6 inches
c) 12 inches
d) 24 inches
[CORRECT] b) 6 inches
Rationale: Pipe penetrations must be treated thoroughly, typically to a radius of at least 6 inches, to
prevent termite entry points.
, 4|Page
8. A homeowner finds small, round exit holes in hardwood flooring. The frass is fine and powdery. Which
pest is most likely?
a) Drywood termites
b) Powderpost beetles
c) Carpenter ants
d) Dampwood termites
[CORRECT] b) Powderpost beetles
Rationale: Powderpost beetles produce fine, flour-like frass and leave distinct round exit holes.
9. Which Georgia regulation requires that all WDO inspectors be licensed by the Structural Pest Control
Commission?
a) O.C.G.A. Title 43
b) O.C.G.A. Title 10
c) EPA Regulation 40 CFR
d) OSHA Standard 1910
[CORRECT] a) O.C.G.A. Title 43
Rationale: O.C.G.A. Title 43 governs professional licensing, including pest control operators in Georgia.
10. You are inspecting a crawlspace and see fungal growth on the floor joists. What is your first
recommendation?
a) Apply a fungicide
b) Improve ventilation and reduce moisture
c) Replace all affected wood
d) Fumigate the crawlspace
[CORRECT] b) Improve ventilation and reduce moisture
Rationale: Moisture control is the primary method for preventing and stopping fungal decay; chemicals
are secondary.
Mini-Exam 2 (Questions 11–20)
11. A customer reports seeing winged insects emerging from a window sill in early spring. They are dark-
bodied and have a pinched waist. What are they most likely?
