Table of Contents
Homeowners may experience a termite infestation at some point. When this happens, they need to work diligently to rectify the problem as swiftly as possible. Termites are destructive so they can destroy your home and your furniture. If it is made of wood, termites will destroy it. Thankfully, working with an exterminator is a good way to remedy the problem before it worsens. Although there are other termite species in the world, Subterranean termites tend to be the most destructive. They cause more than 90% of the $2 billion in damage done to American structures each year.
Termites Live In Structured Colonies
Remember that termites live in structured colonies. Each colony will contain several classes, including a queen and king. They’ll also have soldier termites and worker termites.
Queens
A termite colony will contain one queen. The queen plays a vital role in the creation of the termite colony. Without the queen, the colony would not be able to create more soldier and worker termites. She works with the king to continuously produce more termites for the colony. Furthermore, the queen is one of the largest members of the colony. Worker termites have to push her around when she needs to move through the tunnels.
Kings
Each colony will have one king. The king and queen work around the clock to produce more members. Without the king and queen, the colony’s growth would stagnant.
Worker Termites
These soft-bodied termites have no wings and they’re light. They’re roughly 10mm in length. Worker termites complete many tasks, including building tunnels, finding food, feeding other termites, and caring for eggs. These termites work around the clock.
Soldier Termites
Soldier termites look like worker termites, but there are a few minor differences. For instance, soldier termites have long heads and strong jaws. They use these attributes to fight ants and other invaders.
Swarmers
Finally, a colony will produce swarmer termites in spring. These pests develop wings so they can spread the colony to other areas. A colony can only have one king and one queen. However, it is important to realize that a colony can have many swarmer termites.
Types Of Termites In Our Area
You may encounter other termite species, but the most common is the Subterranean termite. It can be found in many states, including Arizona.
About
Subterranean termites live in colonies with specific classifications. For instance, these termites fit into specific categories such as worker and soldier groups. You can identify the termite’s class based on its appearance. Workers and soldiers have a lot in common, but soldiers have longer heads. Both can grow up to 3/8ths of an inch. As for swarmer termites, they can grow up to half an inch.
Activities
Subterranean termites generally live in underground colonies. However, they may live in moist spots above ground as well. When attempting to access nearby food sources, these termites build mud tubes to ensure they can access the food without being attacked. Swarmers are produced in spring so they can build new colonies.
Dangers
Although termites are not necessarily dangerous, they create various problems. Ignore a termite colony and you’ll regret it. Worker termites have saw-toothed jaws that they use to chew off small pieces of wood. Over a period, they can create immense property damage. It is pertinent to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
Flying Termites & Flying Ants
Flying ants and flying termites have a lot in common, but there are several differences. One thing to note is that flying ants have wings of different sizes. As for flying termites, they have wings of equal sizes but their wings are weak. A flying termite’s waist is pinched and their antennas are elbowed.
Facts About Termites
Learn as much as you can about termites so you can be ready for anything that comes your way.
- Worker termites eat 24 hours every day. They never stop consuming food.
- A termite colony can survive for as long as 50 or 70 years.
- The average termite colony in the United States contains half a million insects.
- Termites are helpful because they get rid of deadwood.
- Most termites need to have constant access to water. If they don’t have access to water, they will die.
- When accessing food sources, termites build and use mud tubes. They have to keep them wet to stay safe.
- Termites have to defend themselves from ants.
- A professional exterminator can help you wipe out the termite infestation.
- The world has more than 2,000 species with most of them living in tropical or subtropical areas.
- Approximately 40 species can be found in the United States.
- Alaska is the only state that doesn’t have Subterranean termites.
- Subterranean termites cause 90% of damage to American homes.
- They do not chew through concrete.
- Worker termites consume cellulose and feed it to other members of the colony.
- Queen termites live many years and lay thousands of eggs each day.
Termite Dangers
In terms of physical dangers and risks, termites are not dangerous. They do not attack people or pets. They’re not going to bite. However, there are more concerns. Termites can create serious issues because they’re going to destroy your home. Plus, they can destroy any wooden items.
Eliminating Termite Infestations
Homeowners need to learn more about eradicating termite infestations. The only issue is that fixing this problem will not be easy. Termites can travel a long way from their colonies. As a result, you likely won’t be able to find out where they’re hiding. Unless you know where the colony is located, you won’t be able to fix the issue. You’ll also have to worry about the health risks associated with DIY methods. Some of them are dangerous. Therefore, it is pertinent to work with a qualified exterminator. Doing so will be the best way to rectify the problem. We’re here to help. Contact us to get started.
Doing It Yourself
Are you interested in fixing a termite infestation? Ultimately, you might be able to complete this task on your own. However, the chance of doing so will prove to be slim to none. The problem is that termites are not easy to eradicate. Plus, you cannot gamble with dangerous techniques. It is wise to work with a professional exterminator.
When Can You Arrive?
We’re ready to work hard for you. Contact our office and we’ll call you back within 48 hours.
Safer Solutions
Our company offers safe solutions. If you’re trying to wipe out a termite infestation safely, it is best to work with us. We won’t stop until the problem is solved for good. We use products registered with the EPA to keep you safe. Plus, we’re confident that these products are going to work exceptionally well.
Preventing Termite Infestations
- Don’t let water collect around your home’s foundation.
- Check and make sure gutters and downspouts are working properly.
- Take care of humidity problems. High humidity can be problematic in basements and crawlspaces.
- Firewood should be kept a good distance from the home.
- When using wood mulch, keep it away from the home’s foundation.
- Check your home for termite signs regularly.
- When you identify a problem, call our office.
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
Our Service Area
Queen Creek, Sacaton, Buckeye, Rio Verde, Apache Junction, Chandler Heights, Carefree, Fort Mcdowell, Bapchule, Cave Creek, Waddell, Higley, Sun City West, Fountain Hills, Surprise, Litchfield Park, Luke Afb, Goodyear, El Mirage, Gilbert, Youngtown, Sun City, Avondale, Cashion, Peoria, Chandler, Tolleson, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Laveen, Tempe, Glendale.
Zip Codes We Serve
85387, 85385, 85383, 85382, 85381, 85380, 85379, 85378, 85377, 85376, 85375, 85374, 85373, 85372, 85363, 85355, 85353, 85351, 85345, 85340, 85339, 85338, 85335, 85331, 85329, 85327, 85326, 85323, 85318, 85313, 85312, 85311, 85310, 85309, 85308, 85307, 85306, 85305, 85304, 85303, 85302, 85301, 85299, 85297, 85296, 85289, 85287, 85285, 85284, 85283, 85282, 85281, 85280, 85277, 85275, 85274, 85271, 85269, 85268, 85267, 85266, 85264, 85263, 85262, 85261, 85260, 85259, 85258, 85257, 85256, 85255, 85254, 85253, 85252, 85251, 85250, 85249, 85248, 85247, 85246, 85244, 85242, 85236, 85234, 85233, 85227, 85226, 85225, 85224, 85221, 85220, 85216, 85215, 85214, 85213, 85212, 85211, 85210, 85208, 85207, 85206, 85205, 85204, 85203, 85202, 85201, 85099, 85098, 85086, 85085, 85082, 85080, 85079, 85078, 85077, 85076, 85075, 85074, 85073, 85072, 85071, 85070, 85069, 85068, 85067, 85066, 85065, 85064, 85063, 85062, 85061, 85060, 85055, 85054, 85053, 85051, 85050, 85048, 85046, 85045, 85044, 85043, 85042, 85041, 85040, 85039, 85038, 85037, 85036, 85035, 85034, 85033, 85032, 85031, 85030, 85029, 85028, 85027, 85026, 85025, 85024, 85023, 85022, 85021, 85020, 85019, 85018, 85017, 85016, 85015, 85014, 85013, 85012, 85011, 85010, 85009, 85008, 85007, 85006, 85005, 85004, 85003, 85002, 85001.