Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What can black lights detect during pest inspections?

1. Termite infestations

2. Rodent hairs and urine

3. Pest nesting sites

4. Food sources for pests

The correct answer is: Rodent hairs and urine

Black lights are primarily used in pest inspections to detect certain substances that fluoresce under ultraviolet (UV) light, particularly biological materials. This includes detecting rodent hairs and urine, which contain proteins that will glow when exposed to a black light. This fluorescence can help inspectors locate areas where rodents are active, even if direct evidence of the pests themselves is not visible. The other options do not align with what black lights can effectively reveal. For example, while termite infestations may be identified through other methods such as visual inspection or the presence of fecal matter, they do not fluoresce under black light. Similarly, while certain nesting sites may be inferred through signs of activity, black lights are not effective in directly illuminating these sites. Food sources for pests are also not effectively detected by black lights, as they do not typically fluoresce, making this method unsuitable for identifying these resources. Thus, the primary utility of black lights in pest inspection is their ability to detect rodent hair and urine.