Common Termites
Common Types of Termites
There are several varieties of termites that might be found on your property. The two primary kinds of termites are wood termites (dry-wood and wet-wood) and subterranean termites, under which all the others are categorized.
Dry-wood termite infestation begins with the termites entering the unprotected end of a piece of dry, un-decayed wood. Poorly constructed buildings with accessible joints, and untreated furniture, are the most vulnerable to dry-wood termites. Since these termites don’t require any water, colonies up to 3,000 strong can thrive until the infested wood is completely eaten away. To determine if you have dry-wood termites in your home, look for their droppings. These are very small at about 1/32nd of an inch with six concave sides. You may even notice the termites themselves swarming around openings in the infested wood. Swarming termites have the unique identifiers of 3 hardened veins on each front wing, orange heads and dark brown abdomens. Soldier colony members have orange or reddish-brown, downward-sloping foreheads bearing a white eye-spot.
Damp-wood termites build nests in damp timber. These are the largest termites and are found in the wood of piers or other water-prone structures. Their presence may be established by finding fecal pellets which look like wood-colored grains of rice. The large swarmers can be up to one inch long. These are light to medium brown with dark brown wings. Other members of a damp-wood termite colony include the soldiers and workers. The soldiers have large heads and black-toothed mandibles. Up to ¾ of an inch long, these have red-brown backs and light brown abdomens. Finally, the workers are cream-colored with spotted abdomens.
Most common and most destructive - are the subterranean termites which can tunnel under the soil to reach new supplies of wood, keeping the colony fed and active for years. Their ability to move about this way, and their advanced social system, can make for colony members numbering in the millions. These are the termites which build the enormous mud-tubes and tunnel systems. A subterranean termite queen can live twenty-five years and lay up to two thousand eggs per day. She and the king are fed and cared for by the workers. The workers, though small at only 1/8th of an inch, are the most destructive members of the colony, working twenty-four hours per day their entire lives. They are translucent cream-colored and wingless. Subterranean termites also have swarmer colony members with dark brown bodies and brown-gray wings. The soldiers, defenders of the colony, can be identified by their orange rectangular heads, mandible pincers, and forehead frontal gland-hole, or fontanel.
All varieties of wood and subterranean termites wreak havoc on homes. Using the descriptions above you may be able to identify which termites you are dealing with to determine the best way to treat the problem. Dry-wood termite infestation may be treated by fumigation. The entire structure is covered with a tent and pesticide is sprayed in to kill the termites. Alternately, holes may be drilled into the infested wood and filled with insecticide. With damp-wood termites, it’s important to replace the damp wood with dry. Ventilate the area and ensure proper drainage to keep it dry. Termite bait works well to eliminate subterranean termites. Worker termites carry the appealing poison back to the nests. Finally, it’s important to form a barrier around a structure by treating the soil and foundation with termite pesticide.
All termites are not created equal; but they are all a problem. Take the steps necessary to identify and treat infestation to protect your property and investment.