Termites swarm after their original colony has reached a certain capacity level and is ready to expand. For most colonies, this happens once a year. Hundreds or even thousands of swarmers, called alates, are produced with the sole purpose of reproduction and expansion.

Alates (swarmers) have wings and hard exoskeletons that may be very dark in color. Additionally, flying and swarming termites can be recognized by their prominent wings.

Termites typically measure between 1/4 and 1/2 of an inch long.

Check areas around the home for damaged wood, cast-off wings around the floor, and shelter tubes. Call an expert at Orkin for further investigation.

Most homeowners don’t notice they have termites until the damage has become costly and tough to fix. Home termite damage is a serious issue. It often ruins the structural integrity of a home. Residents rarely have the chance to inspect hidden areas like wall voids, so the pests tunnel and eat their way through rafters and studs uncontested, leading to collapsed supports.

There are about 50 different kinds of termite species found in North America and each of these species is categorized into one of three termite groups – subterranean, dampwood or drywood. Each termite group has distinctive environmental requirements and behaviors when it comes to whether or not they live in soil and where they construct their colonies.

Subterranean termite workers are the caste members that consume wood and they gain entrance into homes by building mud tubes that provide them a moist, protective passageway to get from one location to another. Workers generally gain access to houses by following their underground foraging tunnels, also known as exploratory tubes, to the foundation or underneath the house’s slab.

Termites can live only a few days without water, and only two weeks without food.

Termites have been around for about 250 million years, making them an active contributor to our environment. In the U.S. alone, there are about 45 active species of termites. In fact, termites live in every U.S. state, except Alaska. While you cannot get rid of termites permanently from the environment, you can help prevent them from taking root in your home and control any active colonies nearby.

There are a variety of strategies an exterminator can use to get rid of termites. Connect with an Orkin Pro to create an effective termite treatment plan for your home!