There are many types of termites in the United States – approximately 45 species. But subterranean termites are the most economically important, particularly in the Southeastern U.S.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite. They are known as the most destructive wood-eating insects in the United States. These termites, like all termites, are social insects that live in large colonies.
Subterranean termites vary in appearance depending on their role in the colony. There are three different roles, known as castes, within a termite colony:
Workers: Workers are the most common termites in a colony. They collect food, take care of the young, and build tunnels. They are white or cream-colored. Their skin is slightly translucent.
Soldiers: Soldier termites defend the colony from insects that pose a threat. These termite warriors are capable of squirting a liquid to fend off predators or using their sharp mandibles to fight off enemy bugs. They can range from a pale cream to a light brown color, depending on the species. They can be distinguished from workers because their heads are elongated and darker in color, usually a honey color or a light shade of brown.
Swarmers: Known as alates or reproductives, termite swarmers are winged subterranean termites that are responsible for laying eggs to keep up the termite population. The king and queen were once swarmers that left their mother colony to create a colony of their own. The swarmers are usually black or dark brown. They have white wings.
Queen: Subterranean termite queens have large cream-colored abdomens marked with brown stripes. Their abdomen gives them a slug-like appearance.
TERMITE ANATOMY
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE ACTIVITY?
Each year, property damage caused by termites costs up to $5 billion in repairs and isn’t often covered by home insurance. To avoid a costly repair bill, there are several signs of a termite infestation that you should keep an eye out for:
- Mud tubes or muddy spots on the walls
- clicking noises coming from the walls
- Peeling or bubbling paint
- Sunken areas of drywall, particularly if the sunken spots have a linear shape
- Blistering or damaged wood
- Buckling floors
- Holes in he wall or in wooden structures
- Structural damage
- Discarded swarmer wings during late winter, spring, or summer. Termite wings are most likely to be found near enry points like window sills or doorways.
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
Termites like to stay out of sight, so they can be tricky to detect, even while they are wreaking a considerable amount of damage on your home. If you aren’t able to determine if there is a termite colony nesting in your home, give us a call for a free evaluation.
