- Soldier
- Workers, Soldiers, Reproductive
- Subterrainain Termites
How are termites harmful?
Dampwood termites feed on wood homes, stumps and fallen trees, and sometimes the dead limbs of living or standing trees. They are drawn to areas with a constant moisture supply, such as leaky pipes. There must be high moisture content in the wood for dampwood termites to infest.
Subterranean termites are much smaller than dampwood termites. The "workers" caste is grayish-white and about 3/16 inch long.
Drywood Termites generally live (feed and nest) in undecayed wood with very low moisture content. Unlike subterranean termites, they do not require any contact with the soil in order to live. Thus, they can seriously damage movable wooden objects, such as furniture.
How do I identify the different types of termites?
The winged, reproductive dampwood termite may be up to one inch in length, including its wings. The antennae usually have more than 22 segments. Body color is light brown. The soldier is between 3/8" - 3/4" long, has a large head and large, multi-toothed mandibles. The antennae, spine and coloration of the soldier are the same as those of the swarmer. Workers are about 1/2" long, wingless and white to cream in color.
Drywood termites are secretive and difficult to detect. They live deep inside wood and, except during periods when they swarm or when repair work is being done on infested homes, they are seldom seen. Because of the difficulty in detecting drywood termites and determining the extent of the damage done, do-it-yourself treatments are not recommended; consult a pest control professional. Over-the-counter products for dealing with drywood termites do not exist.
Subterranean termites nest under-ground about 10-20 feet deep. The most likely time for swarming to occur is in the spring or fall (depending on where you live). The swarming reproductive is dark in color and often mistaken for an ant. Look at the waist: If there is a very thick waist or no waist is noticeable, this is a termite. If there is a very noticeable waist, it would be an ant.
CALL ALPHA ECOLOGICAL TO SOLVE YOUR TERMINTE PROBLEM SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY.
