Subterranean termites are social insects that live in well-ordered colonies. These underground colonies consist of three types of termites, each with distinct jobs: Workers, soldiers, and reproductives.
Worker termites are small, about an eighth inch long, and creamy white. They have soft bodies and round heads. Their job is to forage for food for the rest of the colony, build tunnels, and take care of the young.
Soldier termites are typically larger than worker termites. They have the same soft bodies and similar coloring. They differ from worker termites in the size and shape of their heads. Soldier termites have large, blocky heads and big jaws. Their job is to protect the colony.
Reproductive termites are larger, about a quarter of an inch to half an inch in length. They are dark brown or black with a wide waist, straight antennae, and two pairs of equal-length wings. The job of reproductive termites is to mate and breed.
Termites eat cellulose, a carbohydrate found in wood, plants, paper products, and similar materials. Although they’ll eat any of these items, they often eat wood products. They prefer damaged or rotting softwood but will also eat sound hardwoods.
Termites are attracted to a food source. They are usually in and around fallen and dead trees when out in nature. Because they help these trees decompose, they play an important role in the ecosystem. However, when termites get onto your property, they will eventually be attracted to all the wood in your house.
Worker termites and soldier termites cannot be out in the open. The air dries them out, so they stay underground in moist environments. Reproductive termites can come out in the open but only do so when it is time to mate.
Typically, there are two ways that termites might get into your home. If worker termites enter your house from outside, they’ll build mud tubes along your foundation walls to move safely from place to place without exposure to the air.
If reproductive termites enter your house, they’ll typically do it when they come out to mate. They are attracted to light and may utilize gaps or cracks around windows and doors to enter your home.
Subterranean termites cause significant damage to homes by feeding on wood and other cellulose-based materials. They often hollow out wooden structures like floor joists, wall studs, and roof supports, which can weaken the home's overall stability. They also damage drywall, plaster, and wooden floors, leading to cosmetic issues such as bubbling paint, sagging ceilings, or warped flooring.
Adding to this bad news is that most homeowners’ insurance policies don’t cover the cost of termite damage. You’ll be responsible for all repair bills if these pests enter and damage your home.
Identifying a termite infestation can be difficult because they rarely come out in the open. Some signs of termites to look for include:
Termites may be present if any of these signs are present on your property.
Even if you’re unsure if what you've noticed is from termites, it’s best to err on the side of caution. The sooner you identify a termite infestation, the better your chances of stopping it before the damage can spread.
When you contact got bugs? Termite & Pest Solutions for help, we’ll start with a thorough termite inspection. Our highly trained and experienced pest control specialists know what signs to look for to determine if termites are actually in your home. Moreover, we offer comprehensive termite control services that eliminate existing termite activity and prevent new termite colonies from establishing. Contact us today to schedule a termite inspection!
To prevent termite infestations, our Atlanta exterminators recommend the following termite prevention tips:
The only sure way to prevent termites is with termite control from got bugs?!
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