NORTH CAROLINA CERTIFIED APPLICATOR TERMITE
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED
PASS <RECENT VERSION>
Category 1: Biology and Identification
1. What is the most common termite species responsible for structural damage
in North Carolina?
A) Drywood Termite
B) Dampwood Termite
C) Eastern Subterranean Termite
D) Formosan Subterranean Termite
Answer: The Eastern Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) is the most
widespread and common species causing damage in NC.
2. The primary role of a termite swarmers (alates) is to:
A) Feed on wood
B) Defend the colony
C) Mate and establish new colonies
D) Care for the young
Answer: Swarmers are the reproductive caste. Their sole purpose is to leave the
colony, mate, and become the king and queen of a new colony.
3. Which termite caste is responsible for digesting cellulose and feeding other
members of the colony?
A) Soldiers
B) Workers
C) Swarmers (Alates)
D) King and Queen
,Answer: Workers are the most numerous caste. They forage for food, feed the
soldiers, nymphs, and reproductives through a process called trophallaxis.
4. How can you distinguish termite swarmers from ant swarmers?
A) Ants have a constricted, "pinched" waist; termites have a broad, uniform waist.
B) Termites have elbowed antennae; ants have straight, bead-like antennae.
C) The front and hind wings of ants are different sizes; termite wings are equal in
size.
D) Both A and C are correct.
Answer: This is a critical identification point. Ants have a pinched waist and wings
of unequal length. Termites have a straight waist and four wings of equal size that
are easily shed.
5. Formosan subterranean termites are considered more destructive than native
Eastern subterranean termites because they:
A) Consume wood at a faster rate.
B) Can create larger colonies with millions of individuals.
C) Can build above-ground nests (cartons) without soil contact.
D) All of the above.
Answer: Formosan termites are highly aggressive, form huge colonies, and their
ability to build carton nests allows them to infest structures above the foundation,
making them particularly devastating.
6. Termites primarily derive their nutrition from:
A) The protein in wood.
B) Cellulose, broken down by symbiotic protozoa and bacteria in their gut.
C) The sugars found in sap.
D) The minerals within the wood fibers.
Answer: Termites cannot digest cellulose on their own. They rely on
microorganisms in their digestive system to break it down into usable energy.
, 7. Soldier termites can be identified by their:
A) Large wings.
B) Small size and dark color.
C) Large, rectangular heads and powerful mandibles.
D) Lack of pigmentation and soft bodies.
Answer: Soldiers are the defenders of the colony. Their most distinguishing
feature is their enlarged, often darkened, heads with strong mandibles used to
combat ants and other threats.
8. The presence of "kick holes" or "exit holes" in wood or drywall is often
associated with:
A) Eastern subterranean termite swarmers emerging.
B) Drywood termite swarmers emerging.
C) Ant swarmers emerging.
D) Termite workers foraging.
Answer: Drywood termites live entirely within the wood they infest. When they
swarm, they create small, temporary "kick holes" to exit the wood.
9. Subterranean termites maintain a connection with the soil primarily to:
A) Hide from predators.
B) Access moisture.
C) Lay their eggs.
D) Access minerals.
Answer: Unlike drywood termites, subterranean termites are highly dependent on
soil moisture and will die if they lose contact with it, which is why they build mud
tubes.
10. The presence of frass is a tell-tale sign of an infestation by which type of
termite?
A) Eastern Subterranean Termite
B) Formosan Subterranean Termite
C) Drywood Termite
D) Dampwood Termite
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED
PASS <RECENT VERSION>
Category 1: Biology and Identification
1. What is the most common termite species responsible for structural damage
in North Carolina?
A) Drywood Termite
B) Dampwood Termite
C) Eastern Subterranean Termite
D) Formosan Subterranean Termite
Answer: The Eastern Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) is the most
widespread and common species causing damage in NC.
2. The primary role of a termite swarmers (alates) is to:
A) Feed on wood
B) Defend the colony
C) Mate and establish new colonies
D) Care for the young
Answer: Swarmers are the reproductive caste. Their sole purpose is to leave the
colony, mate, and become the king and queen of a new colony.
3. Which termite caste is responsible for digesting cellulose and feeding other
members of the colony?
A) Soldiers
B) Workers
C) Swarmers (Alates)
D) King and Queen
,Answer: Workers are the most numerous caste. They forage for food, feed the
soldiers, nymphs, and reproductives through a process called trophallaxis.
4. How can you distinguish termite swarmers from ant swarmers?
A) Ants have a constricted, "pinched" waist; termites have a broad, uniform waist.
B) Termites have elbowed antennae; ants have straight, bead-like antennae.
C) The front and hind wings of ants are different sizes; termite wings are equal in
size.
D) Both A and C are correct.
Answer: This is a critical identification point. Ants have a pinched waist and wings
of unequal length. Termites have a straight waist and four wings of equal size that
are easily shed.
5. Formosan subterranean termites are considered more destructive than native
Eastern subterranean termites because they:
A) Consume wood at a faster rate.
B) Can create larger colonies with millions of individuals.
C) Can build above-ground nests (cartons) without soil contact.
D) All of the above.
Answer: Formosan termites are highly aggressive, form huge colonies, and their
ability to build carton nests allows them to infest structures above the foundation,
making them particularly devastating.
6. Termites primarily derive their nutrition from:
A) The protein in wood.
B) Cellulose, broken down by symbiotic protozoa and bacteria in their gut.
C) The sugars found in sap.
D) The minerals within the wood fibers.
Answer: Termites cannot digest cellulose on their own. They rely on
microorganisms in their digestive system to break it down into usable energy.
, 7. Soldier termites can be identified by their:
A) Large wings.
B) Small size and dark color.
C) Large, rectangular heads and powerful mandibles.
D) Lack of pigmentation and soft bodies.
Answer: Soldiers are the defenders of the colony. Their most distinguishing
feature is their enlarged, often darkened, heads with strong mandibles used to
combat ants and other threats.
8. The presence of "kick holes" or "exit holes" in wood or drywall is often
associated with:
A) Eastern subterranean termite swarmers emerging.
B) Drywood termite swarmers emerging.
C) Ant swarmers emerging.
D) Termite workers foraging.
Answer: Drywood termites live entirely within the wood they infest. When they
swarm, they create small, temporary "kick holes" to exit the wood.
9. Subterranean termites maintain a connection with the soil primarily to:
A) Hide from predators.
B) Access moisture.
C) Lay their eggs.
D) Access minerals.
Answer: Unlike drywood termites, subterranean termites are highly dependent on
soil moisture and will die if they lose contact with it, which is why they build mud
tubes.
10. The presence of frass is a tell-tale sign of an infestation by which type of
termite?
A) Eastern Subterranean Termite
B) Formosan Subterranean Termite
C) Drywood Termite
D) Dampwood Termite
