Termites

What are termites? Most people will ask this question at some point. If you’ve asked this, you’re likely worried that termites have invaded your property. Since they’re difficult to identify, you likely won’t realize that you have a problem until it is too late. Termites work together to ensure that the colony thrives. Whether they’re eating, building tunnels, or grooming members of the colony, they work together. Unfortunately, this makes them incredibly difficult to eliminate.

Termites are incredibly destructive since they chew and eat cellulose. Since cellulose is found in lumber, your home is at risk. Therefore, eliminating the infestation swiftly is highly recommended. Subterranean termites are the most concerning since they can more than 90% of the $2 billion in damage done to American structures each year.

Termite Structure

A termite colony will include several classifications such as the queen and king. More about these classes will be explored in greater depth below.

Queen

The queen is one of the colony’s most important members. She is also the biggest. Without help from hundreds of workers, the queen would not be able to move through the colony’s tunnels. It takes hundreds of worker termites to push the queen termite through the tunnels. Queens can grow up to 4 inches making her the bigger the member of the termite colony. The queen termite is vitally important to the colony.

The queen will lay thousands of eggs each day until the colony has enough worker and soldier termites. During her ten-year lifespan, the queen will be able to lay as many as 30,000 termite eggs each day.

King

The king is equally important. He works with the queen to produce more members. They will mate for the rest of their lives to ensure that the colony can thrive. The king termite isn’t as large as the queen, but he is still bigger than most. King and queen termites always mate to ensure that the colony continues thriving for many years to come.

Worker Termites

Worker termites are soft-bodied and do not have wings. They’re roughly 10mm in length and look like a grain of rice. Despite their small stature, worker termites are the backbone of any termite colony. They perform most of the work. For instance, they’ll find food, feed other termites, and groom other termites. Worker termites stay busy 24 hours a day and they do not take weekends off. If something needs to be done around the tunnels, the worker termites will get it done.

Soldiers

Soldier termites defend the colony from deadly invaders. Termites primarily worry about ants since they can attack workers when they’re searching for food. Soldiers look similar to worker termites but they have longer heads and powerful jaws. They look like worker termites since they’re white with soft bodies. Plus, both are wingless.

Just remember that soldier termites are slightly longer. They have longer heads. They use their attributes to defend the colony from invaders.

Swarmers

Finally, you have swarmer termites. These termites develop wings and attempt to build new colonies elsewhere. They are the only other members that can reproduce. There are male and female swarmer termites. The colony will produce swarmer termites in spring so the colony can be spread further. They can fly a short distance away from their colony to build new colonies. A termite colony can produce many swarmer termites, but it will only have one king termite and one queen termite.

Which Termites Are Found In Our Area?

Subterranean termites are the most common species in our area. They can be found across the United States in Ohio, Indiana, and elsewhere.

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites are similar to other termites. They live in colonies with specific classifications. For instance, Subterranean termites have swarmer termites, soldier termites, and worker termites. The termite’s responsibilities and appearance depend on its classification. For instance, worker termites are roughly an eighth of an inch to three-eighths of an inch. Soldier termites are roughly the same size but they have longer heads and powerful jaws. Swarmer termites can reach half an inch at the maximum.

Behavior

Subterranean termites primarily live in underground colonies. Some of them live in moist areas above the surface. They will build and use mud tubes to ensure that they can safely reach food sources. They use mud tubes to defend themselves while searching for food. Swarmers are produced in spring to build colonies elsewhere.

Concerns

Findlay residents cannot ignore the risks associated with Subterranean termites. They’re not physically dangerous, but they can create some problems. For instance, they’re going to turn your life upside down. They chew through wood and damage your home. Worker termites have jaws that work like saws. They use their jaws to chew off small fragments of wood. They do this constantly and slowly. It will take a while but termites can easily destroy a structure.

Understanding Flying Ants & Flying Termites

Although they’re similar, flying ants and flying termites are dramatically different. It is wise to learn about the differences so you can figure out what you’re dealing with. For instance, flying termites have wings of equal size. Those wings can be broken off easily. Flying ant wings are tougher but different sizes. A flying ant will have a narrow waist in the middle and its antennas will be elbowed.

Facts About Termites In Your Area

• Termite colonies never stop consuming cellulose. As a result, they’re going to destroy your wood every second of the day. They will eat 24 hours a day.
• When everything goes well, a termite colony can stick around for 50 years or longer.
• It is common for an American termite colony to house as many as 500,000 insects.
• Termites are beneficial in nature since they help get rid of deadwood.
• Subterranean termites have to have access to water. If they cannot access water, they’re going to die.
• They can live above the surface as long as the area is moist.
• Ants often attack worker termites when they’re searching for food. They can also attack termite colonies.
• You can work with a pro to eliminate the entire colony.
• There are more than 2,000 known termite species in the world.
• Most termites are found in tropical or subtropical locations.
• Roughly 40 species can be found in America.
• Subterranean termites cause most of the damage to American structures.
• Termites can move through concrete easily but they do not eat concrete.
• Worker termites eat cellulose and feed other members of the colony.
• A termite queen can produce thousands of eggs daily. She will live for over 20 years.

Are Termites Dangerous?

Termites need to be removed from your property rapidly. However, you can sleep soundly knowing they’re not going to make anyone sick. They won’t bite or transmit disease. Once they’ve invaded your property, they’re going to begin destroying your home. Get rid of them or you’ll experience severe property damage. When a termite colony is ignored, it can cause extreme damage to any structure. If it isn’t addressed, there is a risk that the termites will damage your home’s wood columns. Then, your home may no longer be safe for you or your loved ones.

Eliminating Infestations Of Termites

Unfortunately, eradicating an infestation of termites will not be easy. It is hard to find the termites’ nest since they can travel up to 300 feet away. Plus, they’re going to use a network of underground tunnels. If you need to get rid of termites, it is best to hire a professional exterminator in your area. Doing so guarantees that the problem can be dealt with rapidly and efficiently. A professional will protect you while wiping out the infestation before it destroys your home.

Doing It Yourself

You may contemplate doing it yourself, but you shouldn’t. It is too difficult and dangerous. Using the wrong chemicals means that you’re going to expose yourself to unnecessary risks. Plus, you may not achieve your goals. You might kill some termites but not all of them. If this happens, you’ve likely wasted your money. A professional can eliminate the termites with consistent results. When you treat your property, you’ll want to kill the infestation. Working with a professional is the best way to eliminate the pests without leaving stragglers.

When Can You Get Rid Of Termites?

Contact our local office to schedule an appointment. We’ll contact you within 24 hours and the exterminator can begin within days.

Our Methods Are Safe

We always provide our clients with safe termite treatments. Working with us means that you’re relying on EPA-registered products. These products are reliable and harmless to people and pets. Plus, our technicians know how to use these products safely. If any precautions need to be taken, our technician will let you know before the procedure begins. We want to give our clients peace of mind. Therefore, we’re going to use safe methods to tackle the problem. Contact us to learn more about our techniques and how we protect you.

Preventing Termite Invasions

• Never let water collect around the home’s foundation. Make sure that your home’s gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks are working properly.
• Deal with high humidity problems in basements, attics, and crawlspaces.
• Firewood cannot be stored close to your home.
• Keep wood mulch a safe distance from your dwelling. 15 inches is recommended.
• Regularly check your home for signs of termites. For instance, you should look for cracked paint and mud tubs. You can also check for wood that sounds hollow.
• Once you’ve discovered the signs of termites on your property, call us and schedule an appointment.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.