North Carolina Certified Applicator Termite
Exam TEST STUDY GUIDE 2025/2026 REAL
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
|| 100% GUARANTEED PASS <LATEST
VERSION>
Section 1: Termite Biology and Identification
Q1: What is the most common termite species responsible for structural
damage in North Carolina?
A: The Eastern Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes).
Q2: Describe the castes in a subterranean termite colony and their primary
functions.
A:
• Workers: The most numerous caste. Responsible for foraging, feeding other
castes, building shelter tubes, and caring for the young. They cause the
damage to wood.
• Soldiers: Defend the colony from predators (primarily ants). They have
large, yellowish-brown, armored heads with powerful mandibles.
• Reproductives:
o Primary Reproductives (Kings & Queens): The founding pair of a
colony. The queen is primarily responsible for egg-laying.
o Secondary Reproductives: Can take over egg-laying if the primary
queen dies or becomes separated from part of the colony.
o Alates (Swarmers): Winged reproductive termites that leave the
colony in a swarm to mate and start new colonies. Their wings are
equal in size.
Q3: How can you distinguish termite swarmers from ant swarmers?
A:
, Characteristic Termite Swarmer Ant Swarmer
Thick waist (no
Waist Pinched, narrow waist
constriction)
Antennae Beaded, straight antennae Elbowed (bent) antennae
Four wings of equal size Four wings, front wings longer
Wings
and shape than hind wings
Wing Veins Numerous, visible veins Fewer, less prominent veins
Q4: Why is moisture critical for subterranean termites?
A: Subterranean termites require a high-moisture environment to survive. They are
susceptible to desiccation (drying out) and must maintain contact with the soil,
their primary moisture source, or other consistent moisture sources (e.g., plumbing
leaks).
Section 2: Inspection and Detection
Q5: What are the seven primary visual signs of a subterranean termite
infestation?
A:
1. Shelter Tubes (Mud Tubes): Travel pathways built from soil, saliva, and
feces that protect termites from predators and dry air. They are a definitive
sign of activity.
2. Swarmers (live or dead): Especially wings shed inside a structure (e.g., on
windowsills).
3. Damaged Wood: Wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Wood may appear
layered or honeycombed, with soil and mud in the galleries.
Exam TEST STUDY GUIDE 2025/2026 REAL
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
|| 100% GUARANTEED PASS <LATEST
VERSION>
Section 1: Termite Biology and Identification
Q1: What is the most common termite species responsible for structural
damage in North Carolina?
A: The Eastern Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes).
Q2: Describe the castes in a subterranean termite colony and their primary
functions.
A:
• Workers: The most numerous caste. Responsible for foraging, feeding other
castes, building shelter tubes, and caring for the young. They cause the
damage to wood.
• Soldiers: Defend the colony from predators (primarily ants). They have
large, yellowish-brown, armored heads with powerful mandibles.
• Reproductives:
o Primary Reproductives (Kings & Queens): The founding pair of a
colony. The queen is primarily responsible for egg-laying.
o Secondary Reproductives: Can take over egg-laying if the primary
queen dies or becomes separated from part of the colony.
o Alates (Swarmers): Winged reproductive termites that leave the
colony in a swarm to mate and start new colonies. Their wings are
equal in size.
Q3: How can you distinguish termite swarmers from ant swarmers?
A:
, Characteristic Termite Swarmer Ant Swarmer
Thick waist (no
Waist Pinched, narrow waist
constriction)
Antennae Beaded, straight antennae Elbowed (bent) antennae
Four wings of equal size Four wings, front wings longer
Wings
and shape than hind wings
Wing Veins Numerous, visible veins Fewer, less prominent veins
Q4: Why is moisture critical for subterranean termites?
A: Subterranean termites require a high-moisture environment to survive. They are
susceptible to desiccation (drying out) and must maintain contact with the soil,
their primary moisture source, or other consistent moisture sources (e.g., plumbing
leaks).
Section 2: Inspection and Detection
Q5: What are the seven primary visual signs of a subterranean termite
infestation?
A:
1. Shelter Tubes (Mud Tubes): Travel pathways built from soil, saliva, and
feces that protect termites from predators and dry air. They are a definitive
sign of activity.
2. Swarmers (live or dead): Especially wings shed inside a structure (e.g., on
windowsills).
3. Damaged Wood: Wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Wood may appear
layered or honeycombed, with soil and mud in the galleries.
