Georgia Correctional Officer (CO) Practice Exam

Which type of treatment is typically used against subterranean termites?

1. Bait system

2. Fumigation

3. Soil treatment

4. Heat treatment

The correct answer is: Soil treatment

The correct answer is soil treatment, which is commonly used against subterranean termites. This method involves applying a chemical termiticide to the soil around and beneath a building, creating a barrier that prevents termites from entering. Since subterranean termites live in the soil and travel through it to reach wood sources, soil treatments are particularly effective in controlling these pests. This treatment can be applied during initial construction or as a preventive measure on existing structures. It ensures that any subterranean termite colony attempting to establish itself in the vicinity is deterred by the chemical barrier. Other methods, while useful for specific scenarios, may not be as effective against subterranean termites. Bait systems require the termites to find the bait stations placed in the ground and can take longer to effectively eliminate the colony. Fumigation is typically used for drywood termites, which infest the wood itself, rather than for subterranean species that reside in the soil. Heat treatment can also be effective but is primarily suited for eradicating pests within the wood instead of treating soil-dwelling termites. Thus, soil treatment stands out as the most direct and effective approach for managing subterranean termite infestations.