Termites are automatically considered pests in many parts of the world and for good reason.
They chew on wood furniture, eaves, and home overhangs.
They make your homes foundation brittle as they build colonies inside the structure.
But did you also know that termites are good decomposers?
Beyond these, there are more things to know about termites, and here are some of them.
What does a termite look like?
Although they truly look similar most often than not, each species has salient differences in look and behavior.
Generally, termites are 0.25-0.5 inches in size and length.
In terms of color, various species differ in tinge.
Some are white in color while most come in shades of brown.
Furthermore, termites have thick waists but with shorter legs.
Termites are also winged and both wings have the same length.
In terms of size, damp wood and dry wood termites are significantly larger than Formosan and subterranean termites.
They are the largest termite jot down.
They do not usually make an infestation in the home but with low care, you would attract them.
They are most likely found in coastal places and semi-arid locations such as Florida.
Drywood termite
This is the bang out that will most likely make an infestation in the home.
They are most likely found in suburban California and in southern states like North Carolina.
They are considered as the most fatal to the property as they are more voracious wood eaters.
Once they reach infestation, they will be the hardest to control and eliminate.
Subterranean termite
In the US, subterranean termites can be found in all 49 states except Alaska.
As the name implies, they live underground and form colonies in the soil.
They can also nest in moist structures aboveground.
They are the most reproductively prolific of all termite types.
They can grow to up to 2million in a single colony.
They are considered to be at par with Formosan termite when it comes to property damage.
1.Carpenter Ants
The most mistaken insect for termites would be ants, specifically carpenter ants.
First of all, they could co-exist in one colony.
Like worker termites, carpenter ants also do not have wings.
They also have two pairs of wings but carpenter ants have longer front wings than their hind wings.
The distinct feature of carpenter ants is their defined waist along with an elbowed antenna.
There are also winged carpenter ants as there are winged termites.
They are swarmers and are more visible during spring.
Winged carpenter ants completely shed their wings while termites detach theirs after swarming.
You will most likely spot carpenter ants indoors because they constantly search for food.
If you spot termites wandering indoors, that is clearly a sign of infestation.
But just to clarify, it is their larvae that does this damage.
Adult powderpost beetles do not make that much damage.
You would know that the adults have emerged if you spot pinholes in wood structures.
The fatal larvae are cream-colored with distinct brown heads.
You will usually find powderpost beetles in moist wood.
In the wild, they are found in saps of wood where sugar and starches are concentrated.
In industrial zones, they will most likely infest structures that are built out of reclaimed wood.
While they are easy to eliminate, they are the most potent insects to re-infest.
They are most active at night and they are most commonly mistaken for subterranean termites.
In the winter, they will breed and they will need a safe colony where they will swarm.
Flying ants only fly during mating season.
They are protected by the colony all winter-long.
They do not bite humans and generally do not pose any threats to us.
Alongside termites, flying ants can be identified in two ways.
Flying ants like all other types of ants also have bent antennae.
Of all types of ants, flying ants have the thinnest body.
4.Carpenter Bees
They look like real life bumble bees.
Carpenter bees are not considered structural pests although they bore on wood.
Most of all, they are picky.
They only choose finished or unpainted wood.
They will create wood stains, however.
They have more shiny abdomens compared to bumblebees because the latter has more hairy abdomens.
They are large at 0.5 to 1.5 inches.
They can also be found under decks, in porch rails, or in your homes eaves.
They tend to do this when they are threatened or disturbed.
Worker acrobat ants are the smallest at 3.2mm.
The queen acrobat ant is at 10mm.
They are most distinguishable for their six legs and their heart-shaped abdomen with a segmented, flat body.
While they are generally harmless, they could infest your home.
You will usually find them in wires, pipes, and making a queue along your walls.
Moist attracts acrobat ants too.
Having them around means that there are moist structures around.
They are most likely niching around them too.
This is their similarity with termites since termites can also be contracted with moist structures.
The first step is to have a close inspection of the insect.
For this, you have to get a hold of one.
you could also confirm if its a termite depending on the wings.
Termites have two pairs of wings.
They are all in the same length and size.
If they lose some wings, it indicates that they have swarmed and have built a colony.
Worker termites have shorter antennae and do not have wings.
They are the white or translucent ones.
Soldier termites are brown in color.
They do not have wings either.
They are distinguishable for the pincers near their heads.
Lastly, take note of the size.
Termites are smaller than some ant types.
These insects are just 0.25-0.5 inches in size.
They cannot really grow bigger than that.
First, check on the wood structures of the home.
Tap and closely see if the sound is hollow.
If it is, then it is a sign of termite colony.
Sagging ceilings are also visible manifestations of infestation.
Also, watch for termite droppings.
They look like small pellets but brown in color.
They usually pile up in one location if the infestation is severe.
The most visible sign of an infestation is to look for tube-shaped mounds along the walls.
They build these mud tubes overnight and serve as tunnels where they transport the food into the main colony.
Conclusion
Termites are a serious cause of concern.
There is a reason why there are extensive termite control services around.
Sometimes, that is just a harmless ant, beetle, or bee.
To be sure, you have to catch one for inspection.
Immediately look at the wings if they are straight and all pairs are of the same length and size.
Next, take a look at the antennae.
If they are bent, they are ants.
If they are straight, they are termites.
