Understanding Termites

You know something about termites, but you’re not sure what they are or what they do. Termites are social so they’re going to live in colonies with thousands of other termites. The termites work together to ensure that the colony thrives, survives, and expands to new areas. Termite workers eat cellulose which can be found in plants, lumber, cotton, cardboard, and furniture. Once worker termites have consumed cellulose, they’ll feed it to other members of the termite colony.

When searching for a termite infestation, check for termite mounds. They’re built by termites when the colony has grown very large. If the colony is too big for its primary nest, the termites will build mounds to support the growth. On the other hand, some termites will burrow in wood. You can find small mud tubes around your home when it is infested with termites. These tubes help termites reach food sources without being exposed to predators.

Although there are many species in the US, the most destructive is the Subterranean termite. Estimates say that this variety is responsible for 95% of the damage caused by termites in the United States annually.

Termite Responsibility

As mentioned above, termites work together to ensure that the colony thrives. As a result, each termite fits into a class and has a unique set of responsibilities. Each member of the termite colony is equally important so the colony wouldn’t survive or thrive without them. The primary classes include queens, kings, soldiers, workers, and swarmers. Below, you will learn more about each termite class and its primary responsibilities.

Queens

Queen termites are some of the most important termites in the colony because they help the colony grow. Queens produce more worker and soldier termites. They can grow up to 4-inches making them one of the largest termites in the colony. As a result, they have difficulty moving through the tunnels and require assistance from hundreds of worker termites.

During a queen’s lifetime, she can produce 30,000 eggs daily.

Kings

King termites are equally responsible since they help the queen termite product more workers and soldiers. The king will play an integral role in the initial formation of the colony. During its life, it will continue helping the queen produce more termites for its colony.

Worker Termites

Although they don’t reproduce, worker termites are vitally important. These termites have soft bodies and perform most of the mundane tasks. For instance, they help the colony build and maintain tunnels. They forage for food and feed other termites. Worker termites work twenty-four hours a day to ensure that the colony thrives.

Soldier Termites

Soldier termites and worker termites look similar, but there are some differences. Soldiers are wingless and they have long heads with powerful jaws. They use their head and jaws to defend the colony against predators, including ants.

Reproductives

Ultimately, termite reproductives and swarmers are some of the most important members. These termites help the colony spread to new areas. They have wings and will leave their primary colony. Once they’ve done that, they’ll search for places to build new colonies. Each termite colony is home to many swarmers, but they only have one king and one queen.

Which Termites Are Found In Houston?

Although Houston residents may encounter other termite species, the most common is the Subterranean termite. These termites are also found in Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, and other cities across the country.

About

The Subterranean termite creates colonies underground and each termite fits into a specific class. For instance, the colony will have soldier and worker termites. They’ll also have a king and queen. The appearance of the Subterranean termite will depend on the class it belongs to. Workers and soldiers tend to look similar, but soldiers have longer heads and stronger jaws. Swarmers belonging to this species can reach half an inch in length.

Common Behavior

It is important to learn about the termite’s habits so you’ll know what to expect. These termites build underground colonies when possible. In addition to this, they’ll construct tubes to gain access to food sources without exposing themselves to predators. Subterranean termites consume cellulose and products that contain it. When spring returns, swarmer termites will leave the colony so they can build more colonies elsewhere.

Primary Threats

Unfortunately, Subterranean termites are problematic for homeowners and renters. When you have Subterranean termites, you have to fix the problem quickly. These termites tear up wood structures and wood objects. They can quickly destroy your home.

Flying Ants Compared To Flying Termites

Although similar, there are many differences between flying ants and flying termites. It is wise to learn more about bot so you’ll know what you’re dealing with.

Wings

To determine which insect you’re looking at, check its wings. The wings of flying ants are of different lengths, but they’re durable. Flying termites have wings of the same length but they’re not durable.

Waist

Since it is an ant, it will have a pinched waist. A flying termite will not.

Antennas

A flying termite’s antennas will be straight. As for flying ants, their wings are elbowed.

Interesting Tidbits About Termites

• Termites never stop eating. The worker termites will eat cellulose around the clock and make sure other members eat too.
• A termite colony will stay around for many years. Since they can live up to 70 years, you have to call an exterminator to get rid of them.
• Termite colonies are huge with some having half a million termites.
• Although they’re problematic, termites are helpful. They can help get rid of dead and decay wood in the wilderness.
• Many termites, including Subterranean termites, need access to water. If they don’t have water, they will die.
• Mud tunnels are used to safely access food sources.
• Ants are the natural enemies of termites. Soldiers ants have to defend the colony from ants regularly.
• The world is home to 2,000 species or more.
• In the United States, consumers need to worry about 40 species.
• Subterranean termites can impact residents of every state except for Alaska.
• Subterranean termites are the most destructive termites in the United States.
• They can navigate through concrete easily, but they cannot eat it.
• Worker termites feed other members of the colony. They eat cellulose and regurgitate it so other members can eat it too.
• Queens lay thousands of termite eggs every 24 hours and can survive 20 years.

Potential Dangers Of Termites

Are termites dangerous to humans and animals? Thankfully, they’re not. However, they create other issues that you’ll have to worry about. For instance, they’re going to rapidly destroy the wood used in your home. They can destroy the home’s structure and make it unsafe for human habitation. They’ll destroy the wood beams and columns until your home is basically worthless.

Eradicating Termites Efficiently

Termite control is not easy, but you can do it. When you realize that you have a problem, you need to take steps to fix the problem immediately. You can try using DIY methods, but they’re not ideal. Some are unsafe and potentially ineffective. We recommend teaming up with a qualified pest control company in your area. We can eliminate termite colonies quickly to stop them from destroying homes in Houston. Contact us so we can begin serving you immediately.

Is DIY Pest Management Effective In Fighting Termite Infestations?

Termite infestations range between mild and severe, with the latter being the most intense. Unlike some pest infestations, termite infestations pose a major threat to the integrity of the building structure. Termites have been shown to cause serious damage to a building’s most vital systems, including the foundation, walls, ceiling, flooring, and roofing.

The termite’s powerful gnawing capability will leave your home vulnerable in every way imaginable. It is one thing to be concerned about food packaging damage, but the integrity of every system that makes up a home is another story.

We do not recommend DIY pesticides in this case. We believe the cons of DIY outweigh to benefits significantly.

When Should I Expect The Termite Inspection To Take Place?

We request all interested consumers to submit their termite inspection requests to our Houston office. Once we receive your request, a customer support member will initiate processing. The appointment will be scheduled between 24 to 48 hours of the initial service request.

Should I Be Concerned About Termite Insecticide Chemicals?

The chemicals found in pesticides do pose some environmental and health risks to humans. However, with the joint effort of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Houston exterminators, and Texas officials, these risks have significantly decreased. These entities hope to someday see the risks diminish completely. To further protect our clients and their family, we recommend full evacuation of the impacted home before treatment.

What Tools And Expertise Are Needed To Prevent Future Termite Infestations?

Following a termite infiltration and extermination, the impacted home and family have exhausted all of their resources. With no fight left, the homeowner turns to the experts for pest control advice. Our recommendations include the following:

• Repair and update gutters, sewage systems, plumbing pipes, and downspouts. The main goal here is to divert rainwater away from the foundation
• Decrease humidity levels in problem areas like the basement, crawlspace, bathroom, and attics
• Relocate firewood and lumber piles away from the home
• Never install wood mulch next a foundation
• Carefully inspect around the foundation perimeter at least four times a year. Focus on structural damage and signs of termite infestation
• Reach out to our Houston extermination team with questions, concerns, and service requests