Termites

Termites-General

Termites have been around for over 120 million years. They are social insects and live in colonies which are usually located in the ground or in wood. Most termites feed on cellulose from wood and wood by-products such as paper. They are worldwide in distribution, with about 3,000 described species, and about 50 species are found in the United States. Termites are usually divided into three groups based on the location of their colony: the subterranean, the drywood, and the dampwood termites. The biology and habits of each group are different, so a detailed knowledge of each is necessary for effective control.

Liberty Pest Control has experienced professionals and we understand the habits of each species and use that knowledge to find a program that best fits you and your families needs.
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Termites-General

Description

As the name suggests, dampwood termites infest wood with a high moisture content. Dampwood termites are normally larger in size than other termite species. Bodies of king and queen dampwood termites range in size from 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch long and have two pairs of wings that are equal in size and shape and extend beyond their abdomen. Nymphs range up to 5/8 inch and worker dampwood termites are up to 3/4 inch.

Pest Facts

Color: Brownish

Legs: Six

Shape: Long, narrow, oval

Size: 3/4 – 1 inch

Antennae: Yes

Flying: Yes

Region: WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, MT, FL

Habits
Dampwood termite colonies, like drywood termites, have no worker caste. The nymph dampwood termites take care of the kings and queens of the colony and feed the soldier caste.

Habitat
Because of their need for excessive moisture, dampwood termites are not often found in structures.

Threats
Dampwood termites do not usually infest structures because of the low moisture content of wood in structures. However, care must be taken to avoid attracting dampwood termites to a structure.

Prevention
To avoid dampwood termites, make sure downspouts and gutters are diverted well away from the structure, and avoid prolonged contact between a structure and large areas of moisture, such as ponds or snow drifts.

Drywood Termites

Description
These social insects infest dry wood and do not require contact with the soil.

Pest Facts

Color: Light brown

Legs: Six

Shape: Long, narrow, oval

Size: 7/16 to 1/2 inch

Antennae: Yes

Flying: Yes

Region: CA, AZ, FL, AL, GA, LA, MS, SC, TX, VA

Habits
They form colonies of up to 2,500 members. Unlike subterranean termite species, drywood termite colonies do not have a worker caste. The work is done by immature termites before they reach adulthood.

Habitat
Drywood termites infest dry wood, like that found in attic framings.

Threats
Drywood termites can infest structures and cause significant damage.

Prevention
Drywood termites can be avoided by making sure firewood and scrap wood is stored at least 20 feet from the home. Because drywood termites form new colonies by gaining access to wood through small holes, seal all cracks and crevices in a structure.

Formosan Termites

Description
Originally from China, Formosan termites are the most voracious, aggressive and devious of over 2,000 termite species known to science. Formosan termites are a subterranean species of termite. Swarmer Formosan termites are about 1/2 inch in overall length, including their wings.

Pest Facts

Color: Yellowish brown

Legs: Six

Shape: Long, narrow, oval

Size: 1/2 inches

Antennae: Yes

Flying: Yes

Region: AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA

Habits
Formosans are organized into huge underground colonies, and build intricate mud nests inside the walls of a structure.

Habitat
Formosan termites are the most aggressive subterranean termite species. Formosans are organized into huge underground colonies, and build intricate mud nests inside the walls of a structure.

Threats
Because of their aggressive nature, Formosan termites are difficult to control once they infest a structure. Prevention is key.

Prevention
Avoid water accumulation near your home’s foundation. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard. Most importantly, eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building.

Subterranean Termites

Description
Subterranean termites live in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas above ground that can contain up to 2 million members. They build distinctive “mud tubes” to gain access to food sources and to protect themselves from open air. Termite colonies are organized into castes depending on tasks — workers, soldiers and reproductives. The characteristics of a subterranean termite are dependent on the termite’s role in the colony. Cream-colored Worker subterranean termites are 1/8 to 3/8′s of an inch in length. Soldier subterranean termites are of a similar body length, but are distinguished by their powerful mandibles. Soldier termites have cream-colored bodies and brown heads. Reproductive subterranean termites are approximately one inch long.

Pest Facts

Color: Creamy brown

Legs: Six

Shape: Long, narrow, oval

Size: 1/8 inches

Antennae: Yes

Flying: Yes

Region: All 50

• Cause serious damage to structures often long before they are discovered — more than $1.5 billion in property damage a year to over 600,000 homes in the U.S.
• Feed on books, papers or anything containing cellulose.
• Favor warmer climates and actively avoid light.
• Live in underground colonies — some containing over two million members.
• In a larger nest, a queen and king may live for 15 years, with the queen laying up to one egg every 15 seconds for most of her life.

Habits
Subterranean termites live underground and build tunnels, referred to as mud tubes, to reach food sources. Like other termite species, they feed on products containing cellulose. Subterranean termites swarm in the spring — groups of reproductive termites go off to start new colonies.

Habitat
Subterranean termites need contact with the soil to survive and live underground. They can build tunnels through cracks in concrete.

Threats
Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species. They can collapse a building entirely, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time.