The one pest most homeowners fear is not a black widow. No, it is termites. Termites cause billions of dollars worth of damage each year in America. One of the most common species of termites found in North America and in the state of Texas is the Eastern Subterranean termite. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control will share more about these destructive pests and the signs of their unwelcome presence.
Worker, Soldier & Reproductive Termite Roles
Identifying termites help when you actually see them, which is sometimes very rare. However it is still good knowledge to have. Termite colonies are made up of thousands of workers and soldiers. Later the reproductive termite called the alates or swarmers can also be seen. To begin with, the workers are the smallest member of the termite colony. They are about the size of a grain of rice and are cream in color. The soldiers are somewhat larger than the workers and have a distinct large head that’s darker in color with a rather larger pair of pinchers which are used to defend the colony from invaders. The alates are made of both male and female, king and queen termites. Once they reach full maturity they will leave the colony to breed. The alates look far more different than the rest of the colony. The alates have long, thin black bodies with a delicate pair of wings where they will fly to the hive or nest to breed. The males die shortly after breeding. The pregnant females will search for a suitable place to begin her own colony.
How Deep Do Eastern Subterranean Termites Live?
The Eastern subterranean termites, as their name suggests, live underground and usually will feed on decaying roots and tree stumps, or wood close to the ground. Experts believe that subterranean termites remain 18 to 20 feet below the ground during the winter, but in neighborhoods where central heating keeps the soil surrounding houses warm, subterranean termites will remain closer to the ground surface where they can still be problematic. However this doesn’t mean they will stay in the ground. Often subterranean termites will dig tunnels underground and if there is a crack within the foundation of a home, the termite will climb through it to gain access to your home’s framing. Eastern subterranean termites will also create tunneling systems on the surface of the ground to create a mud like tunnel going to a food sources. They even will stay underground and travel upwards on the side of a tree or home. You will notice a vein like mud tube on the side of the home.
How Do I Know if I have Subterranean Termites?
Detecting subterranean termites can be rather difficult since they are sensitive to the sun and heat and remain underground. If you see the presence of the mud tube or tunnel either on the ground, on the side of your home, or trees, this is a great indication. Another sign that termites might be present is if you see a pair of long thin wings on the bottom of window ledges or on the floor or ground. These are the wings of the females. After breeding and they’ve found the site of their new colony, they will twist off their own wings, leaving them behind. The last and worst sign of termite activity is hollowed out wood.
Termite Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal, Management & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
If you’re concerned that you have termites, contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control. We will conduct an inspection of your home and yard and treat any termites that may be found. Don’t wait until your home has thousands of dollars worth of damage. Contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control today.
