Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Home Inspection Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Home Inspection Exam with comprehensive study materials and quizzes. Assess your knowledge on key topics through engaging practice questions and valuable hints. Gain the confidence needed to succeed in your WDO inspection journey!

Practice this question and more.

To maintain moisture for survival, termites line their tunnels with what?

Salivary secretions
Fungus
Moss
Larvae

The correct answer is: Salivary secretions

Termites line their tunnels with salivary secretions primarily to maintain moisture levels necessary for their survival. These secretions help to prevent the tunnels from drying out, creating a more suitable environment for the colony. The moisture retained within these tunnels is crucial because termites, particularly the drywood and subterranean species, require a humid environment to thrive and to process the wood they consume. Salivary secretions also contain enzymes that aid in the digestion of cellulose found in wood. This not only supports the termites' nutritional needs but also helps maintain the structural integrity of their tunnels by creating a protective lining. The adaptability shown by termites in utilizing such secretions highlights the evolution of their behavior towards efficient survival in varying environmental conditions. In contrast, while fungus can be associated with termite activity—particularly in some species that farm fungus as a food source—it is not used to line tunnels. Moss and larvae do not play a role in the creation or maintenance of the tunnels either.