eff to be fecund Sir Henry Joseph Wood eater , white ant are considered a pain in the neck in the house because they are silent ruiner . Sure , distinguish one may not be a cause for concern , not knowing that they have already colonize your domicile , literally .
The sly part here is that they do not all look the same and usher out one not know that it is a type of white ant could be dangerous .
In this post , we peg down down the types of termites and how they can be tell apart from one another . canonical characteristics and difference in features and behavior are also listed here . If you are interested in the type of termites for some reasons , study on .
Related:5 Bugs That Look Like Termites But Are n’t
In this article
What is a termite?
We already know them as one of the most prolific and destructive pest in the universe . They are sometimes called as white pismire because we are accustomed to their whitened , cream or almost translucent bodies ( though these are their nymphs ) .
They are insects niching on folio litters , wood , and soils . They have elongated bodies , follow a caste arrangement , and are comparable to pismire and other dirt ball .
They build colonies both outdoors and indoors , in wood structures and underground . In the US alone , 50 species of termitesare already find but the most vulgar types would be the dampwood , subterranean , and drywood termites . Around the world , there are at least 2000 known termite coinage .
What do termites do?
While they reckon low - visibility and unharmful , white ant are vexing insect that work mayhem to your home structure in the long run . There are four major cause why termites should be do away with immediately .
#1.Termites are damaging your home silently
We have already say that termites are silent destroyers . Unlikeroachesand rodents , you would not usually see them at habitation . white ant on the other hand live in - rampart , under the ground , and are silently eating away the Sir Henry Wood structure in your home .
As such , the job they place might have become extensive before you could do something . For this , you have to be mindful of identifying infestation marks .
#2.Hazard on wood structures
Although small in size , remark that they are fertile egg layer and each settlement is composed of thousands of termite . The wood anatomical structure in the home is essential and termite harm on these wood structures can become an infrastructure fortune .
You have take heed of ceiling and walls collapsing because of termite legal injury . This alone proves why termite should be terminated immediately .
#3.They are hard to eliminate
Once they have established , they run to be hard to operate and eliminate . Termite professionals are called for in this spot because unlike other pests , they would find their way of life in your home again as long as there is wood to flow and niche on .
#4.Health hazards
You might not know it but termites , in their uber silent ways , can also place health hazards to you and your family . For one , their bearing could disturb mildew and molds in ceilings , flooring , and walls .
When they are shaken off , they can flummox health hazards to those with allergies , asthma attack , sneezing , coughing , sore throat , fretful eyes and problem in respiration because of the front of spores in the strain .
Termite facts
Before we rundown the type of termite and other selective information about these plaguey insects that relate to peril , termination , and more , have us first pamper in some termite fact that you might not know about .
How to identify termites
It is hard to key termites without comparing them to a more unwashed insect . In this fount , we shall compare them with ants so that you’re able to have a more visual noesis of how termites look like . Here is a five - stop comparing between white ant and ants to help you in identifying them at first coup d’oeil .
Types Of TermitesWith Pictures
conceive it or not but there are unlike type of termites and not just the generic brown to black colored ones that you might have plausibly project once at rest home .
In this part , we look at the various types of termites , where they niche , their unparalleled behaviors , and other utilitarian entropy that should serve you in identifying which is which .
1.Conehead termites(Nasutitermes corniger)
Previously known as tree diagram termites , this white ant group are said to have come from the Caribbean and discover their way in the US timberland just in 2003 . They get their name well , from their orange cone shaped heads that become darker colored in historic period .
They are striking because they rummage food in an ant - comparable behavior , build magnanimous niches than ulterior termites , and build open colonies above solid ground .
Composed predominantly of soldiers in their caste musical composition , it is graspable why they have the reputation of being very belligerent termites . Inside the dwelling house , they feed on anything that has cellulose . This include shrubs , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , paper , furniture , and wood structures .
2.Dampwood Termites(Zootermopsis angusticollis)
Their categorization already reveals that these termites love damp conditions . They unremarkably live in wood stilt as well as decompose wood and have a singular power to flourish even without soil .
They ordinarily feed on wood with lots of wet content , hence , the name dampwood too .
This one is considered as the tumid termite group across the US , find across the Florida Keys . They niche on dampish wood , and within high humidity circumstance .
They do not build mud tunnels in the soil , instead , they build termite galleries within the woods they infest .
Physically , these dampwood termites are distinguishable for their patched abdomens in colors of either brown , yellowish , or both . They run on damp wood and normally recession where stiff wood structures are .
Desert dampwood white ant are also unparalleled for their plague sign : the tunnel they make in the Ellen Price Wood look like they have been smoothened by emery paper .
As the name hint , this type of white ant is autochthonous across Nevada as well as Idaho and Montana .
They have a caste system composed of the brown , expectant mouthed soldiers , cream - colored nymphs , and dark-skinned brown alates that grow to an in in length .
They have sex to feed on morphological wood and niche in soils that are prostrate to implosion therapy .
3.Desert termites(Gnathamitermes tubiformans)
Not to be confused with some of the desert termites that we have discuss here , this radical is found in the hotter regions of New Mexico , Texas , and Arizona .
Their caste organisation admit workers ( select up the most bit in the colony ) , lite brown , half - inch long , adult reproductive , and soldiers with a standout tooth - like mouthpart .
Desert termites are forager , building mud tunnels in the dirt . Their unique survival strategy would be the substance call carton . It is moisture retentive made from moist soil , organic matter , and their saliva . They feed on break up plant materials .
4.Drywood termites
By the name alone , you would already fuck that this termite type is discover in the drier conditions of the Midwest and Southern states .
They can be a trouble for the home because they are sleep with to feed on woodwind instrument floor , wood structures , furniture and other wood frame .
They look very similar with their drywood white ant cousins but their severalize behavior would be the way they give on wood .
Unlike all other drywood termite , they run to eat the wood across the caryopsis . They have modest colonies ( 4000 per colony ) and are found in Alabama , Texas , Florida and Georgia .
compare to the southeastern drywood , this type builds smaller colonies ( around 3000 per colony ) . They are found extensively in Arizona and California .
Their caste includes alates with a dramatic smokey - black color and soldiers with two mouthparts . They love feeding on exposed woodwind instrument like those of windowpane underframe and furniture .
5.Formosan termites(Formosan subterranean termite)
This group is also called the Asiatic termite because they are said to have arise from China . They thrive in coastal , tropical to subtropical region in the US which includes Hawaii , California , Texas , Tennessee and Mississippi .
They are dub as the most destructive termite group because they are belligerent and voracious eaters .
They are strategists . They ramp up their colony in underground and walled structures . This group alone has at least 2000 known species . Their caste system includes very aggressive soldier with an oblong head .
Their worker are the same as desert termites and their alates are yellow brown and originate at a half - column inch length . They are know to ingest the largest amount of wood among all type of termites .
6.Subterranean termites
As the name hint , this categorization of termites be underground . They are out-of-door termites that construct huge colonies underground ( say to contain more or less than 2 - million white ant if uncontrolled ) .
They love damp conditions and establish mud tubes to travel from one place to the next or to get at food .
This case of subterranean termites is extensively find from the West Coast to the Rocky Mountains . Its adult reproductives are distinguished for their vindicated wings , shining black color .
The soldier look like the adults but with a starkly long mandible while their workers are corresponding to scant dark ants . They niche in timber and their favorites are creosote and greasewood .
This one is smaller than the termites of this type . They are only 1/3 - inch in distance and are known for their morose brownish or black organic structure . They are predominantly find in the East Coast .
Their soldier are distinguishable for their orthogonal mouth and head . They particularly feed on structural lumber , pine wood and plywood . Their infestation trademark would be partly eaten wood .
This eccentric of subterranean termites is usually found in Southern California and Arizona . They are one of the small in the subterraneous type , thriving in ironical circumstance .
The adult are yellowish brown in colouring while their soldiers are brown in coloration , run around rectangular mandibles .
Their workers are cream coloured and highly resemble pismire in terminus of appearance . They can assail forest structure , cacti , and some variety of softwood . take care for a honeycomb print or a empty section in woods containing mud . Those would be the merry signs for desert ulterior termite plague .
As the name suggest , they are found naturally in the East Coast up to the Midwest .
They are look at as the most useable and unionized termite type , and as such , can be more destructive . They are emollient in coloration , with elongated body , and at a half - inch length .
They are notorious for run on wood on building structure . The front of mud underground or wing shedding near doors , light sources , and door confirm plague of these termite eccentric .
This one annually play havoc in Washington , Nevada and California . They are peculiarly notorious because they have a female monarch producing at least 2000 bollock per sidereal day .
They also have ointment - colored proletarian , soldiers with retentive pincers , and swarmers that are noted for their shiny , dark chocolate-brown bodies .
They feed tree stumps , and dilapidate woodwind instrument . Their eating behavior is quite unique as they utilize trophallaxis which think of that they exchange chewed food for thought to distribute nutrients to each other .
FAQs
Aside from knowing the types of termite , there is also common termite information that you have to be cognisant of . As such , here are some termite FAQs that you should know of .
What are the worst termites?
As have been revealed here , theworst termite would be the Formosan white ant . It is actually look at as a subterranean termite although they are larger than the jazz subterranean termite subtypes .
They hold out both underground and in - wall . They are dubbed as such because they consume the greatest amount of wood and they are also very strong-growing . They are also the hardest to eliminate .
What do termites hate?
Like all other pests and pesky worm , white ant hate strong scents . But agree to research by Clemson University , termites specifically detest the odour of Camellia sinensis Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree oil , cedarwood , and geranium . They also detest garlic , clove tree buds , and cinnamon .
What time of year do termites become active?
termite are there year - round but unlike types of termites demo different levels of activity in unlike type of the year . For one , subterraneous termites are most alive during spring and summer .
Drywood termites on the other hand are most active during belated summer up to fall while dampwood white ant are active during bound .
Do termites fly?
Yes . The fly white ant are technically called the swarmer or the alate . Their main role in the colony is to fly out to look for mates and ensure breeding and to take care for other nesting website for fresh colonies . Alates are most visible during summertime and spring . Seeing alate at home is a sure sign of infestation .
How do you tell if termites are active in your house?
Just because termite are soundless guided missile destroyer would stand for that you’re able to not know if there are termite activities in your home . Here are some of the most vulgar sign that would tell that there are termites around your living outer space :
How fast can termites destroy a house?
This one depends on the number of termites in a settlement . But just recall about it : the smallest settlement is already write of at least 2000 white ant and it is not that long before they could pose significant harm to the home .
On average , termites can destroy a home 2 - 8 - years . A more accurate physique would be that they are able to eat a foot of Ellen Price Wood in six months . each year , termites legal injury at least 500,000 homes in the US alone .
Do termites live in trees?
Yes . tree diagram are where timber , log and woods come from so understandably , termite can live directly in tree . Once you find mud tube along tree barks , that is already an indication that termites live there .
And this should be a cause of worry because this means that the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree around your base are becoming unhealthful and it would just be a matter of time before they found their style inside your place .
Do termites bite people?
Termites do bite wood and article of furniture but fortunately , they never sting citizenry . They may find their way on your bed , or be more visible during full - bodge infestation , but rest ensure that they would never bite you .
Are termites harmful to humans?
Yes . They might not make for viruses and bacterium but termites are harmful to man because they activate spores coming from disturbed mold and molds .
receive spores lingering in the air at home plate can have asthma attack and trigger allergies . They can also cause coughing , itchy and sore throat and eyes , sneezing , and other respiration - relate result .
Is a termite good or bad?
While termite are know to be more on the bad side , it does not mean that they do not have some good in them too . So , instead of answer this linearly , let us focus on why white ant have good sides too .
For one , they suffer the ecosystem by being a stable food supplying for birds , lizard , germ , and anteaters , among others . termite are also beneficial to the environment because they make soils more holey ( for ulterior and desert white ant ) and also because they niche and provender on decaying leaf , trees , and other plant materials .
Can termites get in your bed?
Yes , but not all . The termite type that could find their fashion into your bed would be drywood termite and Formosan termites .
These two termite types get laid to run through wood structures like all else but they also predominantly love wood and room access frames , floorboards , and article of furniture likechairs , sofas , and bed . As such , you may await that in rarified instances , termites can get in your layer .
Are termites hard to get rid of?
Very . Termites are hard to get rid of because there are just too many of them . Their colonies are composed of K of termites so you would expect that there would still be a considerable number of termites that would outlast even after thorough liquidation .
This is the reason why when you suspect termite activeness or termite infestation , your best selection would be to call a termite exterminator professional immediately .
Why do termites swarm after applying treatment?
Swarming after applying treatment is common and this could happen for 4 - 6 week . The reason behind this is that treatments against termite specifically assault the prole and the adults which regurgitate .
Eliminating the workers would and hampering their prolific procreation ultimately weaken the colony , leading to total termination .
What attracts termites in the home?
The most common answer would be wood but depend on the type of termite that you have at home , some are also attract to the dampness of the rest home , the steady moisture that they get and the humidity of the home .
termite enter the home through blabbermouthed pipes , via branches and twigs from trees that fall near openings around the home , as well as small holes and crevices in the rampart , ceilingsand floors .
What wood will termites not eat?
You might not roll in the hay this but termite also exhibit a floor of pickiness when it come in to the type of wood they feed and it would be the chase :
What is the most common termite type in the US?
The subterranean white ant is considered as the most vulgar termite in the US . They are believe to be thriving in all American states with the exception of Alaska . They are most extensive around subtropical location place from Southern California to Florida .
Are termite damages covered by home insurance?
regrettably , no . Because they are a common happening in homes since most still apply them for their frame and structure , homes are in truth vulnerable to termites .
report note that termite beat an accumulated place impairment monetary value at $ 5 M every class . As such , it is understandable as to why termite damages are usually not covered by home insurance policy .
Are there tools or gadgets that can detect termites?
Interestingly , yes . There are termite detectors that you’re able to grease one’s palms to confirm if there is termite activity in the walls , ceilings , and floors .
These detector are made of thermal and moisture sensor , tracking the apparent movement and estimated size of the colony in your home . While their effectiveness is still in interrogative sentence , it would be skillful to have one for you to know if it is time to call for a pest control professional .
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Conclusion
termite are very common pesterer and when you see one or suspect that your home shelters a colony , they should always be a cause of concern .
They are fertile stratum , wordlessly niching in your home base ’s bodily structure and feeding on your wood structure . They can pose a serious scourge to your base ’s understructure and they could also stimulate health peril especially allergy triggers and asthma blast .
With everything we have covered here , the best solution to approach termites would be to root out them once and for all . While this is not a one - time - big - meter thing , calling a reputable termite control professional would be the unspoilt course of action to halt termites from invade your home .
