| There are many
species of structural infesting termites and each one has
developed effective ways to get at and attack the wood in your
home. Preventing termite attack and killing these termites is
vital if you want to avoid the damage they cause.
Termites live in
colonies which are usually underground, although sometimes they
can be within your home itself. The "worker" termite
forages outside of the colony for food. It consumes the wood
creating "galleries" and then returns to feed the rest
of the colony. Tell-tale signs of termites include mud (or
shelter) tubes on foundation walls, termite swarms and of course
infested wood members.
KING
and QUEEN - In a young colony, the king and the queen are the
actively reproducing termites in the colony. Their only function
is the production of the eggs.
EGGS
- The tiny termite egg is almost transparent. During the
incubation period the egg is groomed and tended by workers. The
larva hatches from the egg and is about the same size.
WORKER
- This termite is the one which forages from the nest to the
wood supply and returns with food for the colony.
SOLDIER
- Defender of the colony, the soldier termite develops a long,
armored head and mandibles capable of cutting an enemy ant in
half. The soldier also sounds the alarm by banging his head
against the side of a tunnel.
When
nymphs reach maturity and become swarmers (kings and queens),
they all leave the colony at about the same time, usually in
Spring or Fall. The swarmers fly very poorly and most of them
flutter for only a few yards before falling to the ground.
When
the short flight is finished, the swarmers drop their wings and
the males begin a frenzied search for compatible mates. Because
the swarmers are exposed and are prey to predator birds and
insects, very few ever survive to establish a new colony.
Earth
tube of the subterranean termite Earth tubes between the soil
and some wooden structure under the house is a sure sign of
subterranean termites. These tubes can go up the foundation
wall, along plumbing, or directly from the soil to the wood.
We advise you
seek local help if an infestation has been found. A professional
treatment may be needed.
DON'T BE CONFUSED
KNOW THE DANGEROUS DIFFERENCE
Termites start
swarming around March first and continue until the 1st or 2nd
week of May. Their actions are entirely based upon the weather.
When these insects stop their spring mating. Ants start the same
cycle all over again.
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