Termites

Termites are one of the oldest living insects which date back to the era of the dinosaurs in the area of the Cretaceous time period. These colony based insects are social creatures which divide the labor which is needed for survival amongst the colony. Termites feed on wood and decomposing plant material which is why they are considered to be pests. Their choice of food causes damage to our homes and trees which can cause a large financial loss if they choose to feed on your home or backyard trees.

That being said, the termite is also a beneficial insect which is vital to the heath of forests because they are able to improve the quality of the soil and also help to remove and recycle old tree stumps and unwanted decaying plant material. Termites are adaptable creatures and are found in all areas of the world with the exception of Antarctica. The temperament of the climate as well as the location will dictate the type of termites which are able to live and thrive in the area.

Although the subterranean species of termites which are common to the United States are known to build their nests under the ground, it is not uncommon for these pests to extend into your home, trees, garage and other structures built of wood. They are typically first spotted in areas such as basements and attics where they can often go undetected for some time causing catastrophic damage to homes and structures. Termites are able to find the smallest of cracks and work their way into the wood structures of a home tunneling from within where they are often hard to spot at first. 

Because termites often resemble white ants, many people are often not able to recognize and identify termites. The characteristics of termites which help them to be identified are their white, translucent bodies which allow you to see through them as well as the fact that most termites do not have developed eyes unless they are winged. Most termites do not have wings, with only the kings and queens having wings. The wings are commonly shed once they have found a suitable spot to form their colonies. One of the largest differences is that termites are not typically able to be seen and will not show themselves unlike ants which are able to be seen throughout both the day and night.

There are a variety of different treatment options for ridding a home of termites. One of these options is a liquid pesticide which also works in conjunction with a bait and system for monitoring. This liquid treatment is placed in entry areas where it will be ingested by the termites and carried back to the colony as well where it can effectively kill of the colony during the feeding and grooming routines which are commonly performed by termites. There are also repellents which are effective at repelling the termites from the home which does not harm them, yet makes the home an unfavorable place to nest.