Termite Control
What you should know about Termites
Homeowners will want continuous termite control year-round. Termites are one of the most destructive pests to your home. They will cause damage to the structure of your home and generally leave a mess behind.
Termites look very similar to ants. They are ½ inch long and range in color from dark brown to white. They can live in colonies of up to 60,000 members. Their colonies will have a hierarchy structure with a queen and king termite. There are over 2,000 species of termites. You can find them in every country throughout the world.
Twenty species in the United States are destructive and cause major damage to homeowners. The most common termites in the United States are the Subterranean, Formosan, and Dry Wood termite. Knowing how to identify these termites can help you determine if you’re having a termite problem.
Common Termites
Subterranean Termites
These termites are difficult to get rid of because the Queen and King stay underground in the foundation of your home. An indication of subterranean termites is the mud tubes they leave behind. They use mud tubes to protect themselves from the sun and air while moving in and out of the nest. These termites are white in color.
Formosan Termite
This termite is able to chew through wood at a rapid rate because of their large colonies. Formosan termites can be confused with flying ants. They also look very similar to subterranean termites.
Dry Wood Termite
Dry wood termites’ range in color from light to dark brown. They live in smaller colonies than their Subterranean and Formosan counterparts. They have wings and you can usually find their colonies above ground in wood.
Differences Between
Termites
VS
Flying Ants
Behavior Differences
Both ants and termites live in large colonies with designated caste systems. Termites can be found in decaying trees, stumps, wood debris, lumber, and the wooden members of a structure. Some ants, like carpenter ants, also inhabit wood and the wooden parts of structures. Termites can cause serious structural damage since they eat the wood, while carpenter ants do not eat wood and thus generally do not cause structural damage.
Diet Differences
The diets of these two pests differ, as ants are omnivores and termites feed on cellulose, which is a nutrient-rich material found in plants. Ants primarily eat nectar, seeds, other insects, and food debris found around and inside homes. On the other hand, termites consume mainly wood, paper, and other cellulose-based products.
Life Cycle Differences
Ants go through four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Worker ants live for a few months, while queens can live for years. In contrast, the termite life cycle includes egg, nymph (larvae), and adult phases. Most termites survive for a couple years, while termite queens may live for decades. Both types of pests have similar reproductive cycles. During warm months, fertile winged ants and termites fly from their nests to mate and establish new colonies. In ant species, the male partners typically die after mating with the females. After termites mate, both male and female partners live on and continue to expand their new colonies. Both ants and termites lose their wings after mating.
Termite Control
Termite infestations can be determined by the shredded wood they leave behind and the waffled look of the remaining wood. When you notice termites in your home it is usually because an infestation has already happened. Calling EZ Pest Control right away can save you from further financial loss.
Because the most common termites look similar and can do an equal amount of damage, it’s important to have a professional come and identify them. EZ Pest Control inspects your home from top to bottom and prescribes the right treatment plan to get rid of termites.
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