Florida Termite Exam 100 Verified Q&A
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Florida
Termite License Exam | Verified Q&A |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Termite Biology & Identification (Questions 1–15)
Q1: A property owner in St. Augustine discovers small, six-sided fecal pellets (frass) piled beneath a
window sill. Under magnification, the pellets have six concave sides and rounded ends. Which termite is
the likely cause?
A. Native subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes)
B. Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus)
C. Drywood termite (Incisitermes minor or Cryptotermes brevis)
D. Dampwood termite (Neotermes castaneus)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Drywood termites produce distinctive six-sided, barrel-shaped fecal pellets (frass) that are
kicked out of kick holes; subterranean termites use their frass to build mud tubes and do not leave
visible pellet piles. [CORRECT]
Q2: During swarm season (February–June in Florida), a homeowner calls you about winged insects
emerging from a wooden beam. The swarmers have two dark wing veins at the leading edge of the
forewing, and the wings are approximately equal length. The body is dark brown to black. What termite
species is this most likely to be?
A. Formosan subterranean termite swarmer
B. Eastern subterranean termite swarmer
C. West Indian drywood termite swarmer
D. Southeastern dampwood termite swarmer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eastern subterranean termite swarmers (Reticulitermes flavipes) have two dark, hardened
,basal veins in the forewing, a dark brown body, and wings of equal length; Formosan swarmers are
yellowish-brown with tiny hairs on wings. [CORRECT]
Q3: A pest control operator collects a termite sample from a Miami property. The soldiers have
rectangular heads with large, dark mandibles that have visible teeth. The workers are creamy white and
approximately 3/16 inch long. What species is this?
A. Formosan subterranean termite
B. Eastern subterranean termite
C. Asian subterranean termite
D. West Indian drywood termite
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eastern subterranean termite soldiers (Reticulitermes flavipes) possess rectangular heads
with toothed mandibles; Formosan soldiers have oval, teardrop-shaped heads with smooth, curved
mandibles and no teeth, making this a key diagnostic feature. [CORRECT]
Q4: According to 2026 UF/IFAS research, the Formosan subterranean termite has now established in
most Florida coastal counties and large urban centers. What is the projected timeline for this species to
be detected statewide?
A. By 2030
B. By 2040
C. By 2050
D. By 2060
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Current UF/IFAS distribution modeling based on three decades of monitoring data projects
that the Formosan subterranean termite will likely be detected in all of Florida before 2050, with
accelerating spread through coastal and urban corridors. [CORRECT]
Q5: The Asian subterranean termite (Coptotermes gestroi) has expanded beyond South Florida. As of
2026, what is the northernmost documented establishment on Florida's Gulf Coast?
A. Sarasota County
B. Hillsborough County
C. Pinellas County
D. Citrus County
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: UF/IFAS monitoring data confirms the Asian subterranean termite has established as far
north as Hillsborough County on the Gulf Coast and Brevard County on the Atlantic coast, with
continued northward expansion expected through 2040. [CORRECT]
Q6: A technician observes a termite colony with both Formosan and Asian subterranean termites
present in the same tree. What is the significance of this co-occurrence according to recent UF/IFAS
research?
A. The two species will always fight to the death
B. They may hybridize, producing offspring with unknown ecological impacts
C. They will form a mutualistic relationship
D. They cannot reproduce in the same environment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 2025 UF/IFAS study documented hybrid colonies of Formosan and Asian subterranean
termites in Fort Lauderdale; hybridization raises concerns about potentially hardier offspring with
expanded temperature tolerance and range, compounding existing economic damage. [CORRECT]
Q7: In the termite caste system, which caste is responsible for foraging, feeding other castes, and
constructing mud tubes?
A. Primary reproductives (alates)
B. Soldiers
C. Workers
D. Supplementary reproductives
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Workers constitute the majority of the colony population and perform all labor including
foraging, food storage, nest construction, mud tube building, and feeding soldiers and reproductives
through trophallaxis; they are the caste that causes structural damage. [CORRECT]
Q8: A Formosan subterranean termite soldier is examined under magnification. Which head capsule
shape distinguishes it from native subterranean termite soldiers?
A. Rectangular with straight sides
B. Oval or teardrop-shaped, tapered toward the front
C. Triangular with pointed apex
D. Circular and flat
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Formosan soldiers have distinctive oval, teardrop-shaped heads that taper toward the front,
contrasting with the rectangular heads of native subterranean soldiers; this morphological difference is
a primary field identification characteristic. [CORRECT]
Q9: During a spring swarm in Tampa, a technician collects alates that are pale yellowish-brown with
densely hairy wings. The swarm occurred at dusk following a warm, rainy day. What species is most
likely?
A. Eastern subterranean termite
B. Formosan subterranean termite
C. West Indian drywood termite
D. Powderpost beetle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Formosan subterranean termite alates are pale yellowish-brown with hairy wings, swarm in
the evening after warm rain between April and June, and are approximately 5/16 inch long; these
characteristics distinguish them from darker native subterranean swarmers. [CORRECT]
Q10: A drywood termite colony is found in a piece of furniture in a Fort Lauderdale high-rise
condominium. There is no soil contact. What biological adaptation allows drywood termites to survive
without ground moisture?
A. They drink rainwater
B. They extract moisture from the wood they consume and produce metabolic water
C. They receive moisture from air conditioning units
D. They periodically travel to soil for water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drywood termites have evolved efficient water conservation physiology, extracting sufficient
moisture from the cellulose they digest and producing metabolic water; this adaptation eliminates the
need for soil contact and allows colonization of isolated wood above ground. [CORRECT]
Q11: A dampwood termite infestation is suspected in a crawl space with chronic plumbing leaks. What
environmental condition is essential for dampwood termite survival?
A. Dry, well-ventilated wood
B. Wood with high moisture content (typically above 20%)
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Florida
Termite License Exam | Verified Q&A |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Termite Biology & Identification (Questions 1–15)
Q1: A property owner in St. Augustine discovers small, six-sided fecal pellets (frass) piled beneath a
window sill. Under magnification, the pellets have six concave sides and rounded ends. Which termite is
the likely cause?
A. Native subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes)
B. Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus)
C. Drywood termite (Incisitermes minor or Cryptotermes brevis)
D. Dampwood termite (Neotermes castaneus)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Drywood termites produce distinctive six-sided, barrel-shaped fecal pellets (frass) that are
kicked out of kick holes; subterranean termites use their frass to build mud tubes and do not leave
visible pellet piles. [CORRECT]
Q2: During swarm season (February–June in Florida), a homeowner calls you about winged insects
emerging from a wooden beam. The swarmers have two dark wing veins at the leading edge of the
forewing, and the wings are approximately equal length. The body is dark brown to black. What termite
species is this most likely to be?
A. Formosan subterranean termite swarmer
B. Eastern subterranean termite swarmer
C. West Indian drywood termite swarmer
D. Southeastern dampwood termite swarmer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eastern subterranean termite swarmers (Reticulitermes flavipes) have two dark, hardened
,basal veins in the forewing, a dark brown body, and wings of equal length; Formosan swarmers are
yellowish-brown with tiny hairs on wings. [CORRECT]
Q3: A pest control operator collects a termite sample from a Miami property. The soldiers have
rectangular heads with large, dark mandibles that have visible teeth. The workers are creamy white and
approximately 3/16 inch long. What species is this?
A. Formosan subterranean termite
B. Eastern subterranean termite
C. Asian subterranean termite
D. West Indian drywood termite
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eastern subterranean termite soldiers (Reticulitermes flavipes) possess rectangular heads
with toothed mandibles; Formosan soldiers have oval, teardrop-shaped heads with smooth, curved
mandibles and no teeth, making this a key diagnostic feature. [CORRECT]
Q4: According to 2026 UF/IFAS research, the Formosan subterranean termite has now established in
most Florida coastal counties and large urban centers. What is the projected timeline for this species to
be detected statewide?
A. By 2030
B. By 2040
C. By 2050
D. By 2060
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Current UF/IFAS distribution modeling based on three decades of monitoring data projects
that the Formosan subterranean termite will likely be detected in all of Florida before 2050, with
accelerating spread through coastal and urban corridors. [CORRECT]
Q5: The Asian subterranean termite (Coptotermes gestroi) has expanded beyond South Florida. As of
2026, what is the northernmost documented establishment on Florida's Gulf Coast?
A. Sarasota County
B. Hillsborough County
C. Pinellas County
D. Citrus County
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: UF/IFAS monitoring data confirms the Asian subterranean termite has established as far
north as Hillsborough County on the Gulf Coast and Brevard County on the Atlantic coast, with
continued northward expansion expected through 2040. [CORRECT]
Q6: A technician observes a termite colony with both Formosan and Asian subterranean termites
present in the same tree. What is the significance of this co-occurrence according to recent UF/IFAS
research?
A. The two species will always fight to the death
B. They may hybridize, producing offspring with unknown ecological impacts
C. They will form a mutualistic relationship
D. They cannot reproduce in the same environment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 2025 UF/IFAS study documented hybrid colonies of Formosan and Asian subterranean
termites in Fort Lauderdale; hybridization raises concerns about potentially hardier offspring with
expanded temperature tolerance and range, compounding existing economic damage. [CORRECT]
Q7: In the termite caste system, which caste is responsible for foraging, feeding other castes, and
constructing mud tubes?
A. Primary reproductives (alates)
B. Soldiers
C. Workers
D. Supplementary reproductives
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Workers constitute the majority of the colony population and perform all labor including
foraging, food storage, nest construction, mud tube building, and feeding soldiers and reproductives
through trophallaxis; they are the caste that causes structural damage. [CORRECT]
Q8: A Formosan subterranean termite soldier is examined under magnification. Which head capsule
shape distinguishes it from native subterranean termite soldiers?
A. Rectangular with straight sides
B. Oval or teardrop-shaped, tapered toward the front
C. Triangular with pointed apex
D. Circular and flat
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Formosan soldiers have distinctive oval, teardrop-shaped heads that taper toward the front,
contrasting with the rectangular heads of native subterranean soldiers; this morphological difference is
a primary field identification characteristic. [CORRECT]
Q9: During a spring swarm in Tampa, a technician collects alates that are pale yellowish-brown with
densely hairy wings. The swarm occurred at dusk following a warm, rainy day. What species is most
likely?
A. Eastern subterranean termite
B. Formosan subterranean termite
C. West Indian drywood termite
D. Powderpost beetle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Formosan subterranean termite alates are pale yellowish-brown with hairy wings, swarm in
the evening after warm rain between April and June, and are approximately 5/16 inch long; these
characteristics distinguish them from darker native subterranean swarmers. [CORRECT]
Q10: A drywood termite colony is found in a piece of furniture in a Fort Lauderdale high-rise
condominium. There is no soil contact. What biological adaptation allows drywood termites to survive
without ground moisture?
A. They drink rainwater
B. They extract moisture from the wood they consume and produce metabolic water
C. They receive moisture from air conditioning units
D. They periodically travel to soil for water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drywood termites have evolved efficient water conservation physiology, extracting sufficient
moisture from the cellulose they digest and producing metabolic water; this adaptation eliminates the
need for soil contact and allows colonization of isolated wood above ground. [CORRECT]
Q11: A dampwood termite infestation is suspected in a crawl space with chronic plumbing leaks. What
environmental condition is essential for dampwood termite survival?
A. Dry, well-ventilated wood
B. Wood with high moisture content (typically above 20%)
