Wood-Destroying Pest Management Exam Prep

 

Course Description

Termites are just one of the many wood-destroying pests found throughout the United States. Carpenter ants, powderpost beetles, and wood-damaging fungi can also cause severe structural damage if not properly managed. Often times the initial cause of any pest problem is the presence of excess moisture in the structural wood. The source of the excess moisture must be addressed for a permanent solution to the pest problem to be effective. This course will cover the primary wood-destroying pests found through the country, the recommended treatments for each of those pests, and the primary sources of excess structural moisture.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

  • Explain the different laws that govern pesticide applications
  • Describe termite biology, caste system, and physical characteristics
  • Identify other wood-destroying insects such as carpenter ants, powderpost beetles, and carpenter bees
  • Explain the different types of termite treatments
  • Describe the different types of wood-damaging fungi and outline standard treatment procedures
  • Identify common sources of excess moisture within a structure

       This Course Covers:

Wood-Destroying Pest Management

  • Applicator Responsibility
  • Federal, State, and Local Laws
  • FIFRA
  • Endangered Species Act
  • OSHA
  • Clean Water Act
  • Safe Drinking Water Act
  • State Specific Regulations

Biology of Termites and Other Wood-Destroying Pests

  • Scientific Classification
  • Class Insecta
  • Growth
  • Metamorphosis
  • Termite Distribution
  • Termite Fundamentals
  • Termite Identification
  • Termite Caste System
  • Colony Formation
  • Environmental Requirements
  • Communication
  • Other Termites
  • ?Insects and Pests
  • ?Key to Insect Damage

Equipment and Methods

  • Termite Application Equipment
  • Sprayer Components
  • Calibration of Sprayers
  • Preventing Contamination of Drinking Water Systems
  • Inspection of Wells
  • Methodology
  • Inspection
  • ?Inspection Report
  • Prevention
  • ??Products Used in Termiticides
  • ?Fumigation
  • Bait Technology and Application

Soil Treatment for Subterranean Termites

  • Building Foundations
  • ?Soil and Foundation Treatments
  • Preconstruction Treatments
  • Postconstruction Exterior Treatments
  • ?Postconstruction Interior Treatments
  • Treatment Guidelines – Special Cases
  • ?Treatment Guidelines – Crawl Spaces
  • Treatment Guidelines – Basements
  • Retreatment
  • Calculations

Other Treatments for Subterranean Termites

  • Plenum vs Non-Plenum Crawl Spaces
  • Subslab Heating Duct
  • Special Considerations for Basements
  • ?Porches
  • ?Rubble, Tile, and Hollow Block Foundation
  • Well, Cisterns, and Other Water Sources
  • Foam Insulation
  • Wood Treatment

Other Wood-Destroying Insects

  • Wood-Boring Beetles
  • Prevention
  • Powderpost Beetles
  • ?Control and Management of Powderpost Beetles
  • ?Wood-Borning Weevils
  • Longhorned Beetles
  • Carpenter Ants
  • ??Carpenter Bees

Wood-Damaging Fungi

  • Food Sources
  • ?Wood-Decaying Fungi
  • ?Wood-Staining Fungi
  • Insects Associated with Wood-Destroying Fungi
  • ?Control and Management
  • Prevention
  • ?Chemically Treated Wood

Practice Exam