Termites: Facts, Identification, and Control

Latin Name

Termites are often called the “silent destroyer” because they may be secretly thriving in your household such as in your basement or yard without any immediate signs of damage. Even though termites are helpful in breaking down rotting wood in the environment, these wood-destroying insects can cause extensive damage to homes.  Experts estimate that termites damage more than 600,000 homes in the United States annually. In fact, termites cause more damage to U.S. homes each year than tornadoes, hurricanes, wind and hail storms combined. All a termite needs to survive is four conditions: food, moisture, shelter, and optimal temperature. 

Appearance

Four "castes" of a termite colony: workers are approximately 1/4-inch long, light-colored and wingless; soldiers have elongated heads with mandibles; supplementary reproductives are light-colored and wingless or have very short, nonfunctional wings.

Habit

Live in colonies underground, from which they build tunnels in search of food.  Above ground level, termites build mud tubes.  Moisture is a necessity for the termite’s survival.

Diet

Wood and other cellulose material.

Reproduction

There are different rates of growth from the egg stage to the adult stage, which is dependent on the actual species. Each colony has one queen, and although she has the ability to lay tens of thousands of eggs in her lifetime, most eggs are laid by supplementary reproductives in an established colony.  Termites hatch from eggs and can go through several life stages to reach maturity.  Eggs hatch into larvae and molt (shed their exoskeletons) to develop into workers, soldiers, primary reproductives, and secondary reproductives. 

Once reproductives become fully mature termites capable of reproducing, they develop wings and functioning eyes. When weather conditions are right, these termites will leave the nest in a swarm. Swarming termites take off to form new colonies.  A mature colony may release "swarmers" (winged males and females) in late spring through fall, depending on the species.

The Termite Vs. Flying Ant

Termites resemble ants and can be frequently mistaken for them. Termites have wider and softer bodies than those of ants, as well as termites have shorter and smaller legs.  Termites drop their wings to mate and then try to return to the ground. If you miss the swarm itself, you will find lots of wings on a windowsill or near another heat or light source. The wings are the size and shape of rice, and they are white-opaque and not visible veined. Ants do not usually drop their wings.

Common Signs of Termite Damage

• Discolored or sagging sheet rock on the ceiling or walls
• Floors that buckle or sag
• Loose tiles
• Hardwood floor slats that pop up
• Laminate floors that bubble up or sag
• Tiny pinpoint holes in drywall (where termites have damaged the paperboard)
• Bubbling or peeling paint
• Damaged wood that crumbles easily
• Jammed doors or windows
•  Wood that sounds hollow when tapped

Termite Control 

There is no one-size-fits-all termite control method. The techniques and materials used to control an infestation vary based on the type of termite, home construction, and extent of infestation.

• Soil Treatment: Termiticides can be used for subterranean termite treatment and prevention. These materials can be applied as targeted spot treatments or complete treatments on all potential entry points and infestation areas around a home.
• Termite Monitoring and Bait Systems: Monitoring and bait systems can be used for subterranean termite treatment and detection. This method has less environmental impact than soil treatments. Bait and monitoring stations can warn homeowners about potential infestations, and offer long-term control for large populations of subterranean termites. However, this method is slower-acting than termiticide treatments.

There is no better defense against termites than a customized home treatment plan from Inter-County Termite Inspections, Inc. After a comprehensive inspection of your home, we will prescribe a customized combination of treatment methods designed to help protect your biggest investment.  Inter-County Termite Inspections, Inc. can arrange liquid termite barriers, in-ground termite baits, and structural modifications to eliminate termites and prevent future infestations.  Several factors, such as soil conditions and the type of construction, determine which methods of treatment are best.

A house with damage from termites often looks the same as any other house on the surface. Termites can build nests hidden inside walls, causing damage for years before it becomes apparent. In some cases, the damage is easily mistaken for water damage.  Termite control experts are trained to spot signs of termite activity, potentially before the colony has damaged the wood inside a home. If a termite infestation is unnoticed and untreated for many years, a home can suffer significant damage.

If you suspect you  have a termite problem or want further information, please contact us at (718) 723-2072 or (516) 683-1011.

(click to enlarge)

(Click to enlarge)