Subterranean termites live underground or in protected areas such as wood. There is always at least on queen and many more reproductives may also be present. Most people never see a queen, but may have seen swarmers or workers. The total number of individuals in a colony of subterranean termites may be more than a million. Imagine a million insects attacking your house! Workers are small white insects, which are blind and are very sensitive to heat, cold, and dry air. This sensitivity is why they build shelter tubes or "mud tubes." In fact, they need to maintain an atmosphere of nearly 100% humidity. Sometimes finding shelter tubes a little smaller diameter than a pencil, is the first sign of a termite infestation. Workers are just that . . . the workers of the colony. They find new food sources (vegetation or wood containing cellulose). Upon finding a food source, the termites put down a chemical signal or pheromone to lead the other workers to the feeding site. Termites do not "attack" your house or building. They forage, attracted by moist areas, and find food sources. Termites do a very good job of breaking down cellulose in the soil. When they discover your house or other buildings, they become a real pest and that is where the professional pest control company comes in. In the spring in most areas of the country, and depending on the species, healthy subterranean termite colonies will "swarm" or send out winged reproductives to start new colonies. The swarmers are darker in color, some species almost black, and have four wings. One frequent question is how to tell termites from ants. Ants generally do not swarm the same time as termites, but it can happen. The following is a description of how to tell termites from ants.
Termites swarm
at a very limited time of year. |
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Ants swarm throughout the year depending on species. |
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| The body of the termite swarmer is about 3/8" in most species. |
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The body of the ant will vary in size depending on the species. |
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| Termites have a straight waist. |
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Ants have four wings; two smaller and two larger. |
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| Termites have straight antennae. |
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Ants have a elbowed antennae. |
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| Termites are clumsy fliers. |
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Ants are good fliers. |
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