ACE Urban & Structural Pest Management Flashcards

Which structural pest is most commonly associated with causing damage to wooden building components in the United States?

Answer: Eastern subterranean termite

The Eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) is the most economically significant wood-destroying pest in the US.

Which of the following is the PRIMARY inspection tool used to detect termite activity in wood?

Answer: Moisture meter

Moisture meters detect elevated moisture in wood, which is a strong indicator of termite activity or conducive conditions.

German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) are best described as:

Answer: Obligate indoor pests rarely surviving outdoors

German cockroaches are primarily indoor pests that are rarely found outdoors, thriving in warm, humid indoor environments.

What is 'mud tubing' and which pest produces it?

Answer: Protective tunnels made of soil and saliva, produced by subterranean termites

Subterranean termites construct mud tubes from soil, saliva, and feces to maintain moisture and travel between soil and wood.

Which pest management strategy focuses on sealing entry points to prevent pests from entering a structure?

Answer: Exclusion

Exclusion involves physical modifications such as caulking gaps and installing door sweeps to prevent pest entry.

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are most effectively detected in early infestations by:

Answer: Inspecting harborage areas for live bugs, shed skins, and fecal spots

Early bed bug infestations are best confirmed by visually inspecting seams, tufts, and harborage areas for physical evidence.