Termites happen in various sizes that are specific to their job in the nest. Being one of the commonest Georgia bugs, it's worthwhile to understand what they look like and how to determine if they're eating your house.
What do Termites Look Like?
Regular termites are often about 1/8- to 3/8-inch in length. Pale, cream colored. These are the termites that most people recognise with a touch nearly see though body. They are those that look for food and bring them back to their queen.
Infantryman Termites have a body that is the same to that of the employee, but they have a massive, deck head with giant claws. Light colored with brown head. Soldier termites are called the "Defender of the colony". The soldier termite has a long, armored head and mandibles capable of cutting an enemy ant in half. The soldier also sounds the "horn" by banging his head against the side of a tunnel.
Queens or Mature "Nymphs": About one in. long. Dark brown/black. "Flying Termites" are the termites almost always seen in the open. They're commonly referred to as "swarmers." In the mating season these termites fly out of the colony to hunt a new home, they lost their wing and look for a friend. Once they are out in the open 2 things happen:
1. A bird gets a meal
2. You know where the termites are
If you chance to see this contact your local pest control company immediately.
How do you know if there are termites in or near your home?
Additional signs of invasion are earthen (mud) tubes (shown right) extending over foundation walls, support piers, sill plates, floor joists, etc. The mud tubes are typically about the width of a pencil, but occasionally can be thicker. Termites construct these tubes for shelter as they travel between their underground colonies and the structure.
To determine if a plague is active, the tubes may be damaged open and checked for the presence of small, creamy-white employee termites. If a tube happens to be empty, it doesn't necessarily mean the invasion is inactive; termites regularly abandon sections of tube while foraging somewhere else in the structure.
Termite-damaged wood is generally hollowed out along the grain, with pieces of dried mud or soil lining the feeding studios. Wood spoiled by moisture or other types of insects (e.g, wood worker ants) will not have this appearance. Sometimes termites bore miniscule holes thru plaster or drywall, accompanied by bits of soil around the margin. Rippled or sunken traces behind wall coverings can also be indicative of termites tunneling beneath.
Oftentimes there will be no visible indication that the house is plagued. Termites are mysterious creatures and infestations can go unnoticed for years , concealed behind walls, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions. Termite feeding and damage can even progress without detection in wood that is exposed as the outer surface is generally left untouched.
What do Termites Look Like?
Regular termites are often about 1/8- to 3/8-inch in length. Pale, cream colored. These are the termites that most people recognise with a touch nearly see though body. They are those that look for food and bring them back to their queen.
Infantryman Termites have a body that is the same to that of the employee, but they have a massive, deck head with giant claws. Light colored with brown head. Soldier termites are called the "Defender of the colony". The soldier termite has a long, armored head and mandibles capable of cutting an enemy ant in half. The soldier also sounds the "horn" by banging his head against the side of a tunnel.
Queens or Mature "Nymphs": About one in. long. Dark brown/black. "Flying Termites" are the termites almost always seen in the open. They're commonly referred to as "swarmers." In the mating season these termites fly out of the colony to hunt a new home, they lost their wing and look for a friend. Once they are out in the open 2 things happen:
1. A bird gets a meal
2. You know where the termites are
If you chance to see this contact your local pest control company immediately.
How do you know if there are termites in or near your home?
Additional signs of invasion are earthen (mud) tubes (shown right) extending over foundation walls, support piers, sill plates, floor joists, etc. The mud tubes are typically about the width of a pencil, but occasionally can be thicker. Termites construct these tubes for shelter as they travel between their underground colonies and the structure.
To determine if a plague is active, the tubes may be damaged open and checked for the presence of small, creamy-white employee termites. If a tube happens to be empty, it doesn't necessarily mean the invasion is inactive; termites regularly abandon sections of tube while foraging somewhere else in the structure.
Termite-damaged wood is generally hollowed out along the grain, with pieces of dried mud or soil lining the feeding studios. Wood spoiled by moisture or other types of insects (e.g, wood worker ants) will not have this appearance. Sometimes termites bore miniscule holes thru plaster or drywall, accompanied by bits of soil around the margin. Rippled or sunken traces behind wall coverings can also be indicative of termites tunneling beneath.
Oftentimes there will be no visible indication that the house is plagued. Termites are mysterious creatures and infestations can go unnoticed for years , concealed behind walls, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions. Termite feeding and damage can even progress without detection in wood that is exposed as the outer surface is generally left untouched.
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Termites could cause major structural issues to your house. If you believe you have termites it's best suggested that you contact a Toronto termite inspection pro. In the case that you do have termites get Toronto termite control to have the problem dealt with for good.