Termites

These social creatures are one of the household pests you’ll ever encounter. Termites always work together to achieve a common goal, including collecting food, getting water, and building shelters. They also cooperate to build new colonies. Termites consume cellulose which can be found in lumber, cotton fibers, cardboard, and furniture. When a termite colony outgrows its nest, it’ll build mounds to support the remaining termites. Some termites will burrow into the wood around your home and build nests there.

Small mud tubes let you know that termites are nearby. Subterranean termites are the most destructive species in the United States. They account for roughly 95% of the $2 billion in damage to American structures each year.

Termite Colony Members

Each termite colony has several members, including queens, kings, workers, and soldiers.

Queens

Queen termites are immensely important because they help grow the colony. They work with the king to reproduce and build more workers, soldiers, and swarmer termites. During her lifetime, a queen termite can lay as many as 30,000 eggs. She is roughly 4” in length so she needs help moving around. Hundreds of worker termites will push the queen to move her around the tunnels.

Kings

Kings and queens are constantly working together. They cooperate to ensure that the colony can expand and grow bigger. The king always mates with the female to make the colony bigger.

Workers

Worker termites are simple but they’re vital. Without worker termites, the colony wouldn’t get anything done. These soft-bodied termites are approximately 10mm. They’re roughly the size of rice and work around the clock. They perform many activities, including building tunnels, finding food, and grooming other termites.

Soldiers

Soldier termites are similar to worker termites, but they’re defenders. They help defend the colony from ants and other invaders. They’re white and soft-bodied as well. They have long heads and powerful jaws that make them a deadly enemy for ants.

Winged Swarmers

Finally, the colony will produce winged swarmers in spring. Since they develop wings, they can leave their colony and fly elsewhere. They look for suitable locations to build nests and begin producing other termites. A colony can have multiple male and female swarmer termites. However, it can only have one king and one queen.

Common Termite Species

In our area, residents need to worry about Subterranean termites. Although there might be others, Subterranean termites are the most common and destructive.

About

Tucson residents should learn a bit more about Subterranean termites because they might encounter them. These termites live in colonies with a class structure. For instance, the colony will contain a king and queen. It’ll also have workers, soldiers, and swarmers. The appearance depends on the specific member you’re dealing with. Soldiers and workers have similar body structures, but soldier termites have longer heads.

Behaviors

These termites tend to live in colonies underground. If they live above ground, they need moist, secluded locations. When accessing food sources, they build and use mud tubes to protect themselves. Like other termite species, they consume cellulose and products that contain it. They product swarmers in spring to build colonies nearby.

Threats

Termites create numerous issues for homeowners. While they’re not dangerous to humans or pets, they can ruin your life. If you let them destroy your home, you’ll lose your most valuable asset.

More About Flying Ants & Flying Termites

Although similar, there are several distinct differences between flying ants and flying termites. For instance, flying ants have tough wings of different sizes and a pinched waist. Flying termites have wings of equal sizes and a thicker waist. Flying termites have straight antennas, but flying ants have elbowed antennas.

Facts About Termites

• Termites never stop consuming the wood around your home
• The colony on your property can stay there for 50 to 70 years unless you eradicate them
• A colony may contain as many as half a million pests
• They’re helpful for getting rid of deadwood
• Most termites need access to water at all times
• They build mud tubes and keep them wet when living above ground
• Ants often attack termites and their colonies
• Working with an exterminator ensures you can get rid of the termites
• The world has a couple of thousand termite species
• Approximately 40 species reside in the United States
• Alaska is the only state without Subterranean termites
• Most of the damage in the US is caused by Subterranean termites
• They cannot chew through concrete
• Termites consume cellulose and feed it to other members
• Queen termites survive for more than 20 years and lay thousands of eggs in 24 hours

Dangers

Thankfully, termites are not dangerous to humans or pets. Nevertheless, they can create other issues. If they severely damage your home, you may need to move. There is always a risk that they’re going to make your home unsafe. They can destroy your home’s value and prevent you from staying there.

Eliminate Termites

Eliminating termite colonies is not easy because termites can travel up to 300 feet away from their colonies. These pests can travel through underground tunnels to ensure that they’re protected from ants and other predators. Finding the colony can be difficult, but an exterminator can help. Taking advantage of our termite program ensures that you can wipe out the termite colony before you know it.

Working Without A Professional

Could you eliminate these pests without relying on a professional exterminator? You could eliminate some of the pests, but not all of them. In addition to this, you cannot ignore the risks linked to pesticides and other DIY methods. Work with an exterminator to get rid of the pests and protect everyone in your home.

Our Exterminators Offer Safe Solutions

We’re thrilled to provide our clients with safe solutions. We only use products registered with the EPA because these products are safe and reliable. Furthermore, our exterminators follow strict guidelines to keep the client protected from start to finish. Our techniques are safe around people, plants, and pets.

Preventing Termites Invasions

• Don’t let water collect around the foundation of your home
• Check your gutters and downspouts to ensure they’re working correctly
• Deal with any leak pipes or air conditioners immediately
• Take steps to reduce humidity levels in your crawlspace and attic
• Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and five inches from the ground’s surface
• Switch to rubber mulch or keep conventional mulch 15 inches from the home’s foundation
• Check the home often for signs of termites
• When you find termites, contact our office and let us remedy the problem

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