Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

When checking air curtains, which of the following should be specifically looked for?

1. Crawling insects

2. Rodents

3. Flies and flying insects

4. Bees and wasps

The correct answer is: Flies and flying insects

When checking air curtains, it's particularly important to look for flies and flying insects because these are the types of pests that can easily bypass barriers in a commercial or food service environment. Air curtains are designed to create a barrier of air that prevents insects, especially flying ones, from entering a building while still allowing for easy movement for people and goods. Flies and other flying insects are attracted to light and can quickly come through doors or openings where air curtains are in use. If the air curtain is not functioning properly—either due to insufficient airspeed or a lapse in maintenance—these pests may easily infiltrate the space, especially in areas like kitchens or restaurants where food is prepared and served. Therefore, monitoring the effectiveness of air curtains involves a keen focus on preventing the entry of these specific pests. The other options are less relevant in this context. Crawling insects, while certainly a concern in pest control, do not typically interact with air curtains as they do not fly into the airspace that the curtains protect. Rodents are also unlikely to be deterred by air curtains as they are usually more associated with structural entry points rather than air-based barriers. Bees and wasps can be a concern, but they are generally less likely to be problematic in commercial settings