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Termites

Termite Fact Sheet

There are four basic types of termites: dry wood, damp wood, harvester, and subterranean.  Here in the Midwest, subterranean termites (reticulitermes) are the only species present.  Unfortunately for homeowners in our area, subterranean termites are by far the most destructive of the four types of termites with respect to homes and commercial structures.

Identification 

Subterranean termites are social insects that live in nests or colonies in the soil.  each colony consists of three forms or castes of individuals: reproductives, workers, and soldiers.  Subterranean termites build shelter tubes or "mud tubes" made of sand and/or soil that enables them to travel back and forth from colony to the food source (wood) without drying out and dying.

Winged reproductives (swarmers) are coal black to pale yellow-brown, flattened and about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch long, with pale or smoke-gray to brown wings of equal length that easily detach.  Workers are wingless, white to grayish-white with a round, yellow-brown head and about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch long.  Soldiers are also wingless and resemble workers except that they have large, rectangular, yellowish and brown heads with large mandibles (jaws).

Ant or Termite?

Winged reproductives (commonly called swarmers) are often confused with winged ants and vise=versa.  Termite swarmers have straight, bead-like antennae, a thick waist, and a pair of long, equal-length wings that break off easily.  winged ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists, forewings that are larger than the rear wings (unequal size), and not easily detached.  (Click on the illustration below for a picture of each.)

DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

termite

Signs of a Termite Infestation

  1. The presence of swarmer termites.

  2. Discarded wings from swarmer termites.

  3. Shelter tubes or "mud tubes" on walls, floors, support beams, or ceilings, on the interior or exterior of a home or other structure.

  4. Pin holes in drywall with tiny nodes of sand coming out or attached to the hole.

  5. Crumbling of paneling.

"I think I have termites, what do I do?"

Call a professional pest control company for an inspection and estimate!  Monroe Pest Control Company, Inc. offers free inspection and estimates if you think you may have a termite infestation.  We offer both liquid treatments and baiting programs and will be happy to recommend the one that is the best and most affordable for your individual situation.

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Last modified: September 26, 2006