Eastern subterranean termites live in colonies with a well-ordered caste system consisting of reproductive, worker, and soldier termites. Each caste has a distinctive appearance.
Reproductive termites are also called swarmer termites, and they are the termites you are most likely to see. They are the only ones that come out in the open, and they do so only briefly to find a mate. These termites look very similar to carpenter ants. They can grow up to half an inch long, have dark bodies, a pair of antennae, and two sets of wings that they shed after mating.
Worker termites are smaller than reproductive termites. They have soft, creamy yellow bodies that grow to a quarter of an inch at most. They have small jaws that they use to chew through wood.
Soldier termites are similar in size and coloring to worker termites. However, their heads are usually slightly darker and are much blockier than worker termite heads. Soldier termites have large jaws.
Eastern subterranean termites eat the cellulose found in wood. The worker termites are responsible for gathering their food and distributing it to the other colony members.
The main difference between subterranean termites and other termites, specifically drywood termites, is their nesting habits. Subterranean termites need moisture to survive, so they need to maintain contact with the soil. Because of their need for moisture, they prefer water-damaged or rotting wood, but they will infest dry wood if they can’t find another source.
Drywood termites don’t need a lot of moisture. They prefer dry wood to water-logged wood and will nest right inside the wood they’ve infested.
Eastern subterranean termites nest in the soil. When they get into your house, they will build tunnels in the wooden structures inside, but they’ll maintain access to the soil where their main nest remains.
Because termites can’t expose themselves to the elements of sunlight and air unless they are reproductive termites during swarming season, these pests construct tubes made of mud along foundation walls in order to get into houses. Mud tubes can be built on exterior or interior foundation walls.
Because termites rarely come out in the open, the signs of their presence tend to be subtle. If you don’t look for them, you probably won’t find them until after the infestation has become severe. Knowing what to look for is the first step in identifying a termite infestation as early as possible. Look for these signs:
If left to their own devices in your house, Eastern subterranean termites will cause serious damage. Because they eat wood and a colony can grow to hundreds of thousands of members, a well-established colony in your house will need a lot of wood to keep all of the termites well fed. In the United States, termites cause over $5 billion in structural damage every year.
At the start of a new infestation, termite damage will be slow. However, over time, as the colony grows, the damage will also grow. A common estimate is that an average-sized colony can eat through about a foot of a 2x4 in 4-6 months.
Subterranean termites are most attracted to water-damaged wood. However, they will also be attracted to any wood that comes into direct contact with the soil.
If you see a termite swarm or a pile of their discarded wings in or around your house, it means that a large colony is nearby. Termite swarms don’t occur until a colony has become large enough to release a big group of reproductive termites.
If you find the swarm outside, there is a chance that they haven’t yet gotten into your house, but you shouldn’t take any chances. Any termites on your property will eventually find their way inside.
The only effective way to get rid of a termite infestation is to get professional termite control. The Pied Piper professionals are experienced specialists who are trained and qualified to use the Sentricon® System and other treatment methods to eliminate and prevent termites.
To prevent termites from getting into your house, it’s essential that you implement a termite control plan and get yearly inspections. The Pied Piper provides both of these services using award-winning products and methods.
Additionally, you can try these prevention tips to make your home even less appealing to termites:
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Eufaula, OK
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