Termites

What Is A Termite?

• Termites are common pests. Since they’re social critters, they always live and work together. All termites in the colony work hard to ensure that the termites have plenty of food and water. They also cooperate to maintain suitable shelter.
• This pest eats cellulose which can be found in plants. They’ll also consume materials that contain cellulose. For instance, they’re going to eat cotton fibers, paper, furniture, cardboard, and lumber.
• If you’ve found termite mounds around your home, it means that the nearby colony has grown too large. The underground colony has outgrown its nest so it has built mounds to support the growth. Some termites will burrow in wood and create nests in it. They will build mud tubes to ensure that they have access to their wood food source.
• Although there are several species of termites in the United States, the most common is the Subterranean termite. It is estimated that this termite causes 95% of the $2 billion in structural damages in America annually.

The Colony Consists Of Termites With Unique Responsibilities

Queen

• The queen termite is primarily responsible for reproductive activities.
• She is the largest member of the colony and can grow nearly 4 inches in length. Her massive size means it will require hundreds of termite workers to move her.
• The queen is responsible for laying eggs and creating the colony. She helps by producing enough nymphs and workers to support the colony.
• A queen termite may live up to ten years. During this time, she will lay a maximum of 30,000 eggs or so each day.

King

• The king termite is also responsible for reproductive activities.
• He will help the queen create the colony in the beginning.
• During his life, the termite will continue mating with the queen to expand and grow the colony.

Workers

• Worker termites are light with soft bodies and they do not have wings. They can grow up to 10mm in length so they’re roughly the same size as a grain of rice.
• As the name implies, worker ants are responsible for most of the responsibilities. They work 24 hours a day and don’t take the weekend off. Most worker termites will stay in the tunnels at all times.
• Some of their duties include searching for food, grooming other termites, and building and maintaining tunnels.

Soldiers

• These termites are also white with soft bodies, but they’re wingless.
• Soldiers defend the colony using their strong jaws and powerful heads. They’ll use them to attack predators.
• They primarily defend the colony from ants.

Winged Termites For Reproduction

• Finally, there are winged reproductive termites that are male and female. They’re responsible for producing offspring and taking the colony elsewhere.
• Since they have wings, they’ll spread the colony to new locations.
• A termite colony can have hundreds of winged reproductive termites as well as one king and one queen.

Which Species Of Termites Are In Buffalo?

Although there could be other species in the city of Buffalo, the Subterranean termite is the most common.

Basics Of Subterranean Termites

In a Subterranean termite colony, there are several groups of termites. Each colony will have a king, queen, workers, and soldiers. The appearance of the termite will depend on its responsibilities. For instance, worker termites in this species can grow up to 3/8 of an inch. While soldiers are roughly the same length, they have larger heads and powerful jaws. Reproductive termites belonging to the Subterranean species can grow up to half an inch.

Subterranean Termite Habits

These termites often live underground, but they can also build nests in moist locations above ground. Furthermore, they’re going to build mud tubes that allow them to access nearby food sources. The tubes will also protect them from open air. As with other termite species, the Subterranean termite eats products and materials that continue cellulose. When spring rolls around, reproductive termites will separate from the colony and try to start a colony elsewhere.

Threats From Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites can create various problems for Americans. The biggest issue is that they’re destructive and will destroy your property quickly. They have hard saws that are used to tear off tiny wood fragments. If you don’t hire an exterminator to tackle this problem quickly, it is going to escalate and greatly decrease your home’s value.

Flying Ants And Termites

Although flying ants and termites have similar appearances, remember that they’re not the same. Below, you will learn more about both and their differences.

Flying Ants

Wings – Flying ants have two pairs of wings. The front wings are longer than the back wings, and the wings cannot be broken easily.

Waist – Flying ants resemble ants more because they have a pinched waist.

Antenna – Their antennas are elbowed.

Flying Termites

Wings – Flying termites have two sets of wings and they’re the same size. However, the wings can easily be broken from the termite’s body.

Waist – Flying termite bodies are thicker than that of flying ants since there is no pinch.

Antenna – Flying termites have straight antennas.

Eye-Opening Termite Facts

• Termites colonies are going to eat around the clock. They do not take a break and this greatly increases the damage done to your property.
• A termite colony can survive through many worker termite generations. In some cases, they can last for 50 or 70 years. Suffice to say, they’re not going to disappear on their own.
• In America, termite colonies may have as many as 500,000 termites.
• Although you want to keep them away from your home, termites are helpful in nature before they get rid of deadwood.
• Most termite species need access to water or they will die.
• When living in nests above ground, termites will use mud tubes or tunnels to reach food sources. These tunnels remain moist.
• Termites primarily have to worry about ants because they can attack the colony and worker termites.
• You can get rid of an entire colony of termites.
• The world is home to more than 2,000 termites species. Most termite species live in tropical or subtropical climates.
• Americans may encounter 40 species of termites.
• Besides Alaska, every state in the United States is home to termites.
• Most of the damage from termites in the United States is caused by Subterranean termites.
• They cannot chew through concrete, but their soft bodies allow them to move around its cracks quickly.
• The entire weight of the termites in the world is heavier than the weight of the world’s humans.
• Worker termites are the only termites in the colony that can chew and digest cellulose. Therefore, they will need to regurgitate it to feed the other members of the colony.
• Queen termites can live for more than 20 years. During this time, she will lay thousands of eggs daily.

Are Termites Dangerous?

You’re likely worried about termites posing a danger to you, your loved ones, and your pests. Although they’re frightening, you shouldn’t worry about them hurting you. They don’t bite or transmit disease. Still, you have to remove them from your home because they’re going to destroy your home. They can destroy wood homes, structures, and furniture rapidly. If you don’t fix the problem, the termites will destroy your home and its value.

Best Way To Get Rid Of Termites

Although you can get rid of termite colonies, it isn’t easy. Termites can travel and live more than 300 feet away from their colony. They travel using underground tunnels because they’re fragile. If they don’t protect themselves, they’re going to find themselves overwhelmed by ants and other predators. Unfortunately, this is going to make it difficult to locate and eliminate the termites on your property. You have to treat all of these tunnels as well as the nest to destroy the entire colony.

Our company offers a termite program that can be specialized to your unique needs. If you live in Buffalo and have termites, call us.

Does DIY Pest Control Work For Termite Infestations?

Yes, but only when the infestation is deemed “mild.” DIY pest control has shown to be effective in fighting mild termite infestations, depending on several factors. These factors include strength, administration process, and application. It is crucial to note, commercial-grade pesticides are a great alternative to DIY pesticides when proven to be ineffective. Since they’re unsafe and potentially ineffective, hire a professional.

When Should I Expect The Exterminator To Arrive At My Home?

When we receive a pest control service request, we immediately begin to process it to ensure the speediest response. We will schedule an exterminator to arrive at your home within 24 to 48 hours of the initial request. Contact our Buffalo office to schedule an appointment today.

Is Termite Pest Control Harmful To The Environment?

The chemicals found in pesticides have some potential risks to the environment. With expert knowledge, controlled handling, safe storage, and proper administration, it is possible to completely eliminate these risks. We take extermination safety to the next level by only investing in EPA-approved pesticides and techniques. The US Environmental Protection Agency regulates the manufacturing and sale of all pesticides in the United States. This is an important part of a strategy to protect consumers and the environment from the potentially harmful ingredients in pesticides and insecticides.

Prevent Future Termite Infestations By Heeding Expert Pest Control Tips

• Install an underground drainage system connected to downspouts, splash blocks, and gutters to divert rainwater and runoff from the perimeter of the home. Replace damaged plumbing and sewage pipes and attach a PVC pipe to your air conditioner’s drainage system.
• Minimize humidity in problem areas, such as the basement, crawlspace, and attic by installing air vents and dehumidifiers.
• Move firewood piles away from the home, remove all downed trees and yard debris, and keep stored lumber and firewood at least five inches above the floor.
• Install barriers to prevent contact between wood mulch and the home’s foundation
• Conduct thorough inspections of the home’s foundation while looking for damaged and decaying structures
• Contact our Buffalo office to schedule a free termite inspection and/or consultation.

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