Management of Wood Destroying Organisms Flashcards
List three physical characteristics that help distinguish ants from termites.
- Termites have a thick waist; ants have a narrow or constricted waist.
- Termites have straight antennae; ant antennae are elbowed.
- Termites have four long wings of equal size; an ant’s forewings are larger than their hind wings.
In what type of soil are termites more prevalent, and why?
Termites are more prevalent in sandy soils because moisture is more readily available in sandy soils.
What are the most numerous members in a termite colony?
Workers
How can you distinguish a soldier termite from a worker?
Soldiers have greatly enlarged dark reddish-brown heads and sword-like mandibles (jaws). Workers’ heads (and bodies) are creamy white with small mandibles.
Name some places where termites can enter structures.
Through cracks in concrete, utility openings, expansion joints, continuous openings in building blocks, and wood below soil level.
List some conditions that may lead to subterranean termite infestation that an inspector should look for.
Cracks in block or concrete foundations, wooden posts or supports in contact with soil, concrete porches with earth fill, form boards left in the slab, leaking pipes or drip lines that produce moisture at the foundation, shrubs blocking crawl space vents, construction debris in the backfill, low foundation walls and footings, stucco or veneer extending below graded soil, soil-filled planters resting against the foundation wall, wooden forms left in slab around plumbing drains, wooden porch steps in contact with the soil, heating units in the crawl space, paper collars around pipes and ducts, and wooden fences or trellises resting against the structure.
How often should a building be inspected for subterranean termite tubes?
At least once a year.
What kind of non-termite pest leaves small “shot hole” openings in wood surfaces?
Powderpost beetles.
Where would you look for carpenter ant nests indoors?
In windowsills, hollow-core doors, wood in contact with soil, porch columns, roofs, and wood scraps in dirt-filled porches.
How can you tell a carpenter bee from a bumblebee?
Carpenter bees have shiny black, hairless abdomens. A bumblebee’s abdomen is covered in yellow hair.
Describe the appearance of wood attacked by fungi.
As fungi break down wood for food, they reduce the strength of wood, often making it brown and crumbly or white and stringy.
How does the elimination of moisture prevent subterranean termite infestations?
Subterranean termites prefer to forage in moist locations. Elimination of moisture reduces the attractiveness of that location.
How does a repellent subterranean termite barrier work?
The chemical repels termites away from the structure. Termites can detect the chemical
How does a non-repellent subterranean termite barrier work?
The termites cannot detect the chemical in the soil. They tunnel into the toxic barrier and die.
Why are the baits used in termite baiting systems slow acting?
Because the termites need time to carry the bait back to the colony and feed it to other termites in their nest. In this way, the toxic bait affects more termites and the colony begins to die.
