About Termites

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Although termites resemble ants, their bodies are wider and softer than those of ants. In addition, termites have shorter, smaller legs and move much more slowly than most ants do.

Termites are detrivores, or detritus feeders. They feed on dead plants and trees as well as dead parts of living trees, including wood and wood in the soil. A termite's mouth is capable of tearing large pieces of food. This ability is what causes concern in human dwellings: while termites only measure approximately one centimeter in length, their feeding habits are capable of causing costly damage to property. House foundations, furniture, shelves, books, carpets and insulation are all possible feeding sites for termites.

Subterranean termite homes are usually formed in soil. Within these mounds, termites build elaborate tunnel systems and mud tunnels through which they access aboveground food sources. Drywood termites live within the wood they consume and oftentimes infest walls and furniture.

When a colony has matured, winged, swarming termites can be seen around windows and doors. Winged termites are highly attracted to sources of light and are most active in springtime. After mating, these termites locate a new breeding site and create another colony, spreading infestations throughout multiple locations.

Termite Basics: Identification & Facts

Termites are often called the “silent destroyer” because they may be secretly hiding and thriving in your basement or yard without any immediate signs of damage. While each termite species thrives in different climates and eats different types of food, wall termites require four things to survive — food, moisture, shelter and optimal temperature. Unfortunately, all homes, regardless of their construction type, can provide these ideal conditions for termite infestation.

Winged Termites

Winged termites have no apparent waist and straight antennae. Their wings are equal in size and are shed soon after they swarm. Winged termites usually swarm in the early spring when it is warm and rainy.

Winged Termites

Flying Ants

Flying ants have narrow waists and bent antennae. They have two sets of wings, one larger than the other, and usually do not shed their wings. Depending on their species, flying ants may swarm at different times of the year.

Flying Ant

Carpenter Ants

Like termites, carpenter ants are wooddestroying insects. Carpenter ants may or may not have wings, and those with wings tend to have the same basic characteristics as other flying ants. Compared to worker termites, carpenter ants are much larger in size, with hard — rather than soft — bodies, and a generally darker color.

Carpenter Ant

Did You Know?

Termites are one of the rare insect species that live in colonies consisting of an equal number of males and females, even in the soldier caste.

At least 1,900 species of termites are known to exist on earth.

While a serious threat to wooden structures, termites are also beneficial. Their ability to digest cellulose allows these insects to help recycle the nutrient base of the planet.

Termites have existed for approximately 350 million years.

In recorded history, termites have never developed resistance to any type of pesticide. This is due in part to a queen’s “royal taster system,” in which the colony’s workers taste and process all food before it is fed to the queen.

Termite workers and soldiers are blind, which means they rely on their sense of touch and chemical signals to help them locate food, moisture and shelter.

Reference: Facts courtesy of Dr. Roger E. Gold, Texas A&M University.

Termite Droppings

Termite Behavior

Termite Colony

Characteristics of a Termite

Do Termites Bite?

Flying Termite

Termite Biological Traits

Termite Enemies

Termite Evidence

Termite Exit Holes

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