Oftentimes termites aren’t a pest that many people think about until they see signs of damage. And by then, your most likely have hundreds, maybe even thousands, of dollars worth of damages already. Termites can cause a lot of damage to your home and property if they are not identified and controlled early on. In this blog post, we will discuss how to identify termites, as well as some tips on how you can control and prevent termites around your property.
How to Identify Termites by Appearance
One of the most common ways people try to identify termites is by their appearance. This can be tricky, as different types of termites can look very similar to one another. Not only that but because of how they look, winged termites are oftentimes mistaken for flying ants. But when you look closely there are quite a few obvious differences between the two insects.
For example, flying ants have a pinched waistline while termites do not. You can also tell them apart by…
- The difference in their antennae, ants have bent antennae termites have a straight antennas that are made up of tiny bead-like segments
- Winged termites have front and hind wings that are the same size while ants have a front wing that is longer than the back wing
- Worker termites are soft-bodied and light in color while ants have hard, dark bodies
You should also know that the role a termite plays in its colony plays a part in how to identify termites. In a typical termite colony, there are four different social castes, winged termites or swarmers, worker termites, soldier termites, and the king and queen termites.
- Winged Termites (aka Swarmers): These are the termites you see flying around, and they are how new colonies start. They have two pairs of wings that are all equal in size and shape.
- Worker Termites: These make up the majority of the colony and their job is to build and repair the nest, care for the young, and collect food. Worker termites are soft-bodied, light-colored, and do not have wings.
- Soldier Termites: Their job is to protect the colony from invaders. They have large dark heads with large jaws (aka mandibles) that they use to bite anything that threatens their home.
- King & Queen Termites: These are the termites that start the colony. The queen's job is to lay eggs while the king's job is to mate with the queen. Both have wings but they are much larger than the winged termites or swarmers.
How to Identify Termites by Species
When learning how to identify termites by their appearance it is also important to know that there are different types of termites. The three main types of termites are dry wood, subterranean, and damp wood.
Dry Wood Termites: These termites are found in dry, sound wood and do not need contact with the ground to survive. Because of this, they are often found in attics, furniture, and picture frames.
Subterranean Termites: These termites live in the soil and build mud tunnels to reach food sources. They are the most common type of termite and cause the most damage to homes.
Damp Wood Termites: These termites live in wood that is high in moisture content, such as tree stumps, fallen trees, and logs. They can also be found in wet or damp areas of your home, such as leaky roofs, pipes, and around bathtubs.
As you can see, there are quite a few ways you can identify termites by their appearance. But if you’re still not sure, there are a few other ways you can tell if you have termites on your property.
How to Identify Termites in Your Home
The appearance of termites is not the only thing you have to think about when you are wondering how to identify termites. Another way you can identify them is by the damage they leave behind. One of the most common signs of termite damage is mud tunnels or tubes. These are made out of mud and are used by termites to travel from their nests to their food source.
Some other things you should keep an eye out for include:
- Any discarded wings near your window sills or in other areas around your home
- Any holes in wood
- Bubbling or cracking paint could be a sign of termite droppings
- Sagging floors
- Cracks in your walls or foundation
- A swarm of insects coming up from the soil located around your home
- Drywood termites will leave tiny seed-like droppings that will accumulate in small piles around wood that has been infested
If there is a specific area of your home that you are concerned about, tap on the wood. If it sounds hollow then it is likely you have a termite problem.
Let Sigma Pest Control Help Tackle Your Termite Problems
At Sigma Pest Control we know the best way to identify and control termite infestation is by taking preventative measures and scheduling regular inspections. Our experienced and certified professionals will be able to identify any current or potential problem areas on your property and create a customized treatment plan to fit your needs. We will also teach you how to identify termites and identify areas of your home that these pests may be drawn to.
If you think you may have termites, don’t wait! Contact our team immediately. Termites can cause wood damage that can undermine your home’s structure so the sooner you can identify and control them, the better.