Termites 

What A Termite Looks Like

Author: Anthony Galz

A home can definitely do without carpenter ants and worker termites - two of the most destructive pests that can destroy a home. Identifying which is which however is important for you to get the right help and treatment. Although a specialist normally knows what a termite looks like, your early detection can help provide immediate and proper attention.

The Subterranean Termites

Being able to identify a subterranean termite from other termite species may just be the key to saving your home. Different termite species have different looks and this can muddle your idea of how a subterranean termite would look like. Subterranean termites however are the most common species found in homes. They usually feed on wood and paper based products and to the unaware, every termite looks like it can harm your precious library or furniture. Your major concern however should be the worker termites.

A termite colony can be composed of several groups: soldier termites, swarmers or reproductives and worker termites. Not every termite looks like a grain of rice but a lot of them do. Soldiers however have mandibles while reproductives have wings. The worker termite looks like a reproductive but is smaller and has no wings. They are the most numerous in a colony and are the main wood eaters.

Swarmer Ants and Termites

The presence of swarmer termites is usually one of the first signs that there may be a termite infestation in your home. This is because swarmers are the ones who propagate termite colonies. Some think that a swarmer termite looks like a flying ant. The truth is that there are major differences.

The body of an ant is usually divided into a head, a slim abdomen and a thorax. A termite looks like it only has a head and a straight body.

Ants and termites both have four wings. Ants however have longer front than rear wings and have apparent vein marks. Termites have four wings of equal length that are far longer than the body and do not have vein marks.

Ants also have slightly bent antennae that may end in some sort of a small club. Termites on the other hand have beaded antennae that do not bend and have no club-like ends and point away from the body.

Where Swarmers Stay

Swarmer termites outside your house does not call for much alarm. These swarmers may simply have been blown by the wind. Swarmers are also not the main termite wood eaters. You should be a little concerned though if you notice a number of swarmer ants flying away from your house and from cracks, windows and woodwork. You may have some form of termite infestation.

Getting Help

Termites are not easy to get rid of. Using an ordinary pests or insecticide may not effectively remedy your termite problems. You may have to ask for some expert help. Experts may use chemical treatment in which termicide is applied on wood and other house areas to prevent termites from invading the house structure. The baiting technique may also be used in which chemicals are spread throughout the colony through wood baits carrying chemicals.

Discover what a termite looks like. It may just save your home and property! Hire the best termite control company nearest you.

termite damage Videos

Termite News

Termite free at last - Tbo.com

Tbo.com

Termite free at last Tbo.com Ron Daniel, president of the Hernando Historical Museum Association, inspects termite damage Friday morning at the Brooksville Historical Train Depot on ... and more »

A Termite-Riddled House: Treasury Bonds - Seeking Alpha (blog)

A Termite-Riddled House: Treasury Bonds Seeking Alpha (blog) When termites eat your house, you don't notice a thing. You don't hear a thing, you don't see a thing—you're house stands there, silent and staid, ... and more »

100-year-old houses abound in North Jersey - NorthJersey.com

100-year-old houses abound in North Jersey NorthJersey.com The longer a house has been standing, the greater the likelihood that termites have had their fill. You'll want to know especially if there is termite ...

Feeling itchy? It could be bedbugs - Canton Repository

Feeling itchy? It could be bedbugs Canton Repository Robert Geltz, owner of State Termite and Pest Solutions in North Canton, said he has received 10 complaints of the tiny blood sucking, mattress burrowing ...

Billy Blasingame Joins Baccus Termite and Pest Control - PCT Magazine

PCT Magazine

Billy Blasingame Joins Baccus Termite and Pest Control PCT Magazine Industry veteran Billy Blasingame has joined Baccus Termite and Pest Control, Monroe, Ga., as its new general manager and training director. ...