3 Types of Termites
- Drywood Termites. These termites are very common. They nest in wood, require little or no soil contact, and do not make any mud tunnels.
- Subterranean Termites. Subterranean termites are soil termites. ...
- Dampwood Termites. These pests get their name from the damp, decaying structures they like to nest in and feed on. ...
What types of termite treatment are most effective?
- BEST OVERALL: Taurus SC 78oz Liquid Termiticide
- BEST BUDGET: Bonide (BND952) Insect Control Systemic Granules
- BEST VALUE: Spectracide Terminate Termite & Carpenter Ant Killer
- BEST FOAM: BASF 805571 Termidor Foam Termiticide
- BEST BAIT: Spectracide Terminate Detection & Killing Stakes
- BEST WOOD TREATMENT: Bora Care – 1 Jug Natural Borate Termite Control
What are the Predators of termites?
What Bird Eats Termites
- Domesticated Species. Chickens enjoy eating bugs. ...
- Woodpeckers. Woodpeckers pecking on wood in search of food will eat termites once they spot them. ...
- Tropical. Toco Toucan is a tropical bird species that prey on termites. ...
- Waterbirds. During spring, young winged termite flies out of its nests to search for mates and make new homes. ...
- Other Birds. ...
What to do if your home has termites?
- Termites need water, so keep your home and surrounding property as dry as possible.
- Use pest repellent as a preventative measure.
- Seal any cracks in the foundation and gaps around pipes and electrical wiring. – Screen doors, windows and porches.
What's the difference between Carpenter ants and termites?
Carpenter Ants and Termites: Physical Differences
- Wings. Both insects have four wings. ...
- Color. Termite workers are transparent, creamy white, and tend to avoid light. ...
- Antennae. Carpenter ants have bent-shaped antennae while a termite's antennae are straight.
- Body Shape. A termite has a rectangular-shaped abdomen with essentially no waist. ...
What is the most common termite?
Eastern subterranean termiteEastern subterranean termite (the most common)
What are the different types of termites?
Rhinotermi...Kalotermes flavicollisTermitidaeHodotermit...Termopsid...TermitinaeTermite/Lower classifications
Which type of termite is worse?
Subterranean termitesSubterranean termites are much more dangerous because they cause more significant damage than drywood termites. Their colonies can develop up to 1 million strong. Subterranean termites have a soft white body with no eyes.
How can you tell what kind of termites you have?
Look for the most common sign - the color. Subterranean termite swarmers are solid black, drywood swarmers are solid red, while carpenter ants are usually red and black or dark brown. The other big difference is in the body. Termites all have a long body with no small segments attached.
What termite consumes the most wood?
Subterranean termitesSubterranean termites—the species that cause the most damage—can have colonies that number in the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of members. There may even be up to a million termites in a single colony, all feeding on wood together!
How do you get rid of drywood termites?
We recommend two effective ways to get rid of Drywood termites. One is via borate wood treatment using a product called Tim-Bor Professional Insecticide. Secondly, you can drill and fill infested wood areas to eliminate drywood termite invaders with Fipro Foaming Aerosol.
How can I get rid of termites?
Some of the best ways to get rid of termites is to apply termite-killing products to your home's exterior, use direct chemicals on the inside of your home, set up termite baits, and spray boric acid in your floors and walls.
What state has the most termites?
Florida Has the Highest Risk of Termite Damage This dramatic increase is the result of the number of termite species that have taken hold along with the radius of potential spread around each infestation.
How do I know if I have drywood or subterranean termites?
The common sign of a drywood termite infestation is the appearance of frass. Frass is termite waste or fecal matter. Unlike subterranean termites, which build nests and tunnels for foraging out of fecal matter, drywood termites have no use for it as they only excavate tunnels in wood.
What attracts termites to a house?
In addition to wood inside the home, termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors. Different combinations of these factors attract different species. Additionally, geographic location plays a role in how likely homeowners are to deal with infestations.
What eats termites besides wood?
Termites eat cellulose material including the following:wood.plants.carpet.insulation.cardboard.sheetrock paper.fabric.animal feces.
How do you tell if termites are active in your house?
How to Tell If Termites Are Active in Your HouseDiscolored or drooping drywall.Peeling paint that resembles water damage.Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.Small, pinpoint holes in drywall.Buckling wooden or laminate floor boards.Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor.More items...
What attracts termites to a house?
In addition to wood inside the home, termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors. Different combinations of these factors attract different species. Additionally, geographic location plays a role in how likely homeowners are to deal with infestations.
How do I get rid of termites in my house?
Make a solution of borax powder and water and spray it on the affected areas to get rid of termites at home. It's a non-toxic method and ensures termites in cupboards and other wooden furniture vanish after a few applications.
What do Formosan termites look like?
Their bodies are pale yellow to brownish yellow in color. They have translucent wings that are densely covered with small hairs. Formosan termite soldiers have heads that are rounded on the sides and tapered toward the front, whereas indigenous subterranean termites have rectangular heads.
What is the best treatment for subterranean termites?
Insecticides. Liquid applications of pesticides are most often used for subterranean termite control and applied to the soil either in drenches or by injection. There are no reliable over-the-counter termite control products available for the public in California; all effective products are for professional use only.
Habits of Dampwood Termites
Just as their name suggests, dampwood termites are attracted to wood that has a high moisture content. They are much larger than other termites and prefer to infest stumps, fallen logs, tree branches, and other sources of damp wood that are often in decay.
All About Drywood Termites
Unlike all other types of termites, drywood termites do not need contact with soil and only infest dry wood. Since they do not require moisture from the ground, they prefer to nest in dryer wood above the ground, such as roof materials, wooden wall supports, or dead wood around a home.
What to Know About Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite throughout the nation and are infamous for causing extensive structural damage in thousands of homes each year. This type of termite, including Western and Eastern types, nests in the ground and constructs tunnels of mud tubes that allow them to travel within a home.
Termite species and where they are commonly found
Each species of termite has unique traits and habitat preferences. The three types that are considered pests in the U.S. are the native subterranean termite, the drywood termite and the Formosan termite, which is actually a species of subterranean termites.
Keeping your home free from termites
Termites can live in your home without you noticing. That's why an annual inspection by a trained termite professional is important. A customized treatment or protection plan, which includes an annual inspection, is your best defense against termites and the damage they can cause.
What is the most destructive termite?
A type of subterranean termites, formosan termites are possibly the most destructive type of termite found in the nation. They reproduce at a quicker rate and are more capable of destroying wooden structures than other species because their colonies are significantly larger. Like most termites, they enter homes through wood in contact with soil and travel through mud tubes in search of damp wood to feed on. They prefer warm climates and are known to be some of the most defensive and aggressive termites.
Do dry wood termites need soil?
Unlike all other types of termites, drywood termites do not need contact with soil and only infest dry sources of wood. Since they do not require moisture from the ground, they prefer to nest in dryer wood above the ground, such as roof materials, wooden wall supports, or dead wood in the yard. When they infest a home, they likely entered through exposed wood or infested wood that was brought indoors. Because drywood termites don’t require moisture or soil for survival, they are often found in higher areas within a building.
How many termites are there in the world?
If swarmers determine your home to be their perfect home, it’s a safe bet the rest of their colony will follow. Although there are about 2,000 known termite species in the world, the following present the biggest threat to homeowners in the U.S.:
Where are subterranean termites found?
This termite species lives in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas aboveground that can contain up to 2 million members. They build distinctive "mud tubes" to gain access to food sources and to protect themselves from open air. Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species in the U.S.
Why are termites considered silent destroyers?
Termites are known as “silent destroyers” because of their ability to chew through wood, flooring and even wallpaper undetected. Each year, termites cause about $5 billion in property damage. As the ground warms across the country, from the South up to the North, termite populations emerge in search of a new structure to invade.
Where do drywood termites live?
Although they don’t require as much moisture for survival as other species, they can also be found in wood near a water source such as a leaky pipe or water heater. Drywood termites are found in the southern tier states, from North Carolina through the Gulf Coast and into the coastal areas of California.
Where do Formosan termites come from?
Formosan termites. Originally from China, Formosan termites are the most voracious, aggressive and devious of over 2,000 termite species known to science. Formosans are organized into huge underground colonies, and build intricate mud nests inside the walls of a structure. Because of their aggressive nature, Formosan termites are difficult ...
Where are conehead termites native to?
Conehead termites. Conehead termites are an invasive species native to the Caribbean. They were first introduced to the U.S. in 2001. Originally called "tree termites," they were renamed conehead termites to alleviate the misconception that this pest is only found in trees.
Can you see termites in your home?
It is not always possible for an untrained individual to see evidence of termites; however, homeowners can sometimes identify a potential termite problem by being vigilant in and around the home. If you see any of the following, it’s time to contact a pest professional who can immediately determine the extent of the problem and provide a recommendation about the appropriate course of treatment.
What are termites called?
Termites were once known as the “white ant” and were widely confused with an actual ant. However, with the advent of technology and the use of microscopes, people were able to prove that there are several distinguishing features between termites and ants. These were typical termite features that include a broad abdomen, straight termite antennae, and equal sized wings.
How many groups of termites are there?
Subterranean termites are commonly divided into 4 groups in order to easily identify them. The “Alates (swarmers)” sport a dark brown or black color and are almost half an inch long with two pairs of wings while the “workers” are almost one-fourth inch or less in length, have no wings and are ream in color.
Why are soldiers more aggressive than other termites?
The “soldiers” on the other hand have an oblong-shaped head and tend to be more aggressive than other termites when protecting their colony from danger. Because their colonies are large, they are able to consume a great amount of wood compared to other termite colonies.
Where are Dampwood termites found?
The Nevada Dampwood termites are distributed across Nevada, Montana, and Idaho. Their primary castes include “nymphs” that have a cream color, the “soldiers” that have large mouthparts to defend from predators and brownish heads, and the “alates” that have dark brown bodies and wings and their length goes up to ¾ inches long.
How to tell if termites are infested?
One way to tell if the wood in your home has been infested by subterranean termites is by the appearance of the holes on the damaged wood that appear like a honeycomb.
How many species of termites are there in the world?
Although there are up to 2000 species of termites found on the planet Earth, the following are the most common and popular ones that pose the greatest threat and risk to most homeowners in the United States.
Where do conehead termites come from?
These termites are native to the Caribbean and were first found in the United States sometime during the year 2001, but were then apparently eradicated from there in the year 2003. Initially, they were referred to as “tree termites” but were later renamed to “Conehead termites” in order to eliminate the fallacy that these species were only found in trees.
