At the weekend, I noticed faintly flying subterranean termites drifting through the air. This is less of a fearful observation than a watchful eye on this wood-destroying insect pest. Let’s take a look at this insect and show you what you can do to keep it out of your home.
This time of year, underground termite colonies send out their winged reproductive adults – termite kings and queens – to mate and, if all goes well, build their own new kingdom. These reproductive adults come from a colony, fly, mate, and then fall to the ground, shedding their wings.
You may have seen these tiny winged “royal couples” running one behind the other on the floor looking for a place to hide. While termites can look a bit like flying ants at this stage, careful examination reveals that the thick waists, straight antennae, and wings are all the same size. They nest in the ground, where they are protected from predators and dehydration.
At the center of the underground termite colony is the queen who lays the eggs that the various members of a colony produce. Much of the colony are blind workers whose job it is to find food. Special soldier termites protect the colony with large, vicious looking jaws. From the colony, the workers fan out in search of wood and other cellulosic material. With the help of special protozoa in the intestine, termites can digest cellulose and use it as food.
Often times, damage from underground termites is undetectable and needs to be carefully assessed for the presence of it. However, worker termites can build mud tubes that extend from the ground to a wooden structure, providing a safe passage that protects these hardworking but frail insects from predators and desiccation.
These mud pipes can be seen over foundations where concrete slab floors have cracked or where pipes and utilities enter a house. Underground termites feed by following the grain of the wood and consuming the softer part of the wood. Hollowed out galleries can be identified by tapping with a screwdriver handle. You may even find a screwdriver breaking through these hollow areas in the wood.
Prevention is always a smart move to deter termites. Pre-construction treatments, bait, and termite barriers are strategies that can provide preventative protection.
Regular inspections by qualified professional pest control companies are a good idea for homeowners. Have at least three companies conduct inspections. If you need an inspection, also request references, insurance information, and copies of the relevant certifications and licenses. Make sure they sit down with you to discuss treatment options and guarantees, provide you with the pesticide labels, and provide you with evidence of an active infestation.
While swarms of flying termites outside your home doesn’t necessarily mean your home is infested, termites are everywhere, and careful investigation and protection pays off to keeping your home termite-free.
