TERMITE IDENTIFICATION
SWARMER / ALATE - Termites start swarming
around March first and continue until the 1st or 2nd
week of May. Their actions are entirely based upon
environmental conditions. The swarmer's fly very poorly
and most of them flutter for only a few yards before
falling to the ground.
around March first and continue until the 1st or 2nd
week of May. Their actions are entirely based upon
environmental conditions. The swarmer's fly very poorly
and most of them flutter for only a few yards before
falling to the ground.
KING and QUEEN - In a young colony the king and
queen are the actively reproducing termites in the
colony. Their only function is the production of the eggs.
queen are the actively reproducing termites in the
colony. Their only function is the production of the eggs.
EGGS - The tiny termite egg is almost transparent.
During the incubation period the egg is groomed and
tended by the workers.
During the incubation period the egg is groomed and
tended by the workers.
WORKERS - This termite caste is the one that forages
from the nest to the wood source and returns with food
for the colony.
from the nest to the wood source and returns with food
for the colony.
SOLDIER- Defender of the colony, the soldier termite
develops a long, armored head and mandibles capable
of cutting an enemy ant in half The soldier also sounds
the alarm by banging his head against the side of the
tunnel.
develops a long, armored head and mandibles capable
of cutting an enemy ant in half The soldier also sounds
the alarm by banging his head against the side of the
tunnel.
NYMPHS - When nymphs reach maturity and become
swarmer's (kings and queens), they all leave the colony
at about the same time, usually in Spring or Fall.
swarmer's (kings and queens), they all leave the colony
at about the same time, usually in Spring or Fall.
EARTH TUBES - Earth tubes or shelter tubes of the
subterranean termite provide protection form the
ambient air and serve as a bridge between the soil and
your homes wood framing.
subterranean termite provide protection form the
ambient air and serve as a bridge between the soil and
your homes wood framing.
EARTH TUBES - Tubes may also hang from the
floor system or may be found protruding from cracks
between boards and beams and even through holes
termites may chew through sheet rock/drywall on walls
and ceilings.
floor system or may be found protruding from cracks
between boards and beams and even through holes
termites may chew through sheet rock/drywall on walls
and ceilings.
TERMITE DAMAGE - Subterranean termites
derive their nutrition from food composed of cast skins
and feces of other termite individuals, dead individuals
and from wood and other material containing cellulose.
Wood damage is not often found at first so careful
observations must be made. Wood, which yields a
dull, thudding sound when struck, should be examined.
derive their nutrition from food composed of cast skins
and feces of other termite individuals, dead individuals
and from wood and other material containing cellulose.
Wood damage is not often found at first so careful
observations must be made. Wood, which yields a
dull, thudding sound when struck, should be examined.
