NYS PCO NYS PCO Pest Identification 2

Question 1

A PCO identifies small, reddish-brown insects with a flattened oval body and a musty odor in a mattress seam. The pest is most likely:

Accepted Answer

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius)

Answer

Fleas

Answer

Bat bugs

Answer

Carpet beetles

Question 2

Which of the following is the primary structural difference between house mice droppings and rat droppings?

Accepted Answer

Mouse droppings are small (~3-6mm) with pointed ends; rat droppings are larger (>10mm)

Answer

Rat droppings are black; mouse droppings are white

Answer

Mouse droppings are capsule-shaped; rat droppings are spiral

Answer

There is no reliable difference

Question 3

The American dog tick is a vector for which disease in New York State?

Accepted Answer

Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Answer

Lyme disease

Answer

Ehrlichiosis

Answer

Babesiosis

Question 4

Which ant species is known for nesting in wall voids and electrical outlets, requiring special treatment strategies in NY?

Accepted Answer

Odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile)

Answer

Pavement ant (Tetramorium caespitum)

Answer

Fire ant (Solenopsis invicta)

Answer

Leafcutter ant

Question 5

Carpenter bees differ from bumblebees primarily by having:

Accepted Answer

A shiny, hairless abdomen

Answer

A fuzzy, banded abdomen

Answer

A longer stinger

Answer

Smaller size

Question 6

Which stored product pest creates silken webbing inside grain and flour containers?

Accepted Answer

Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella)

Answer

Drugstore beetle

Answer

Sawtoothed grain beetle

Answer

Grain weevil