Champions Residential Inspections SAE Practice Test

The correct answer is that drywood termites produce hexagonal-shaped feces, commonly referred to as frass. This distinctive shape results from the way these termites digest wood and the structure of their droppings. Drywood termites live in the wood they consume, and their droppings are often found near infested wood or structural elements, making it an important identification clue for pest inspectors.

In contrast, subterranean termites typically produce feces that appear more like pellets and are not hexagonal, as they create their nests in the soil and do not leave behind the same type of droppings. Carpenter ants produce irregularly shaped debris that consists of wood shavings and parts of dead insects rather than distinct feces, while powderpost beetles leave behind very fine, flour-like frass that is not hexagonal. Understanding the characteristics of these various pests and their droppings assists in proper identification and pest control efforts.