Subterranean
Subterranean termites are one of the most destructive pests to exist in the United States. They can cause serious structural damage to homes. In fact, subterranean termites are responsible for billions of dollars in property damage each year. You can prevent these destructive bugs from invading your home by following a few basic steps.
The first thing to know about these critters is that they are tiny. Each individual is only about a half-inch long, and they are typically brown in colour. They also have teeth like knives. These tooth-like jaws allow them to chew through wood and other materials. As they eat, they create parallel hollows along the grain.
Another clue that your home is being infested by termites is the presence of swarms. Swarms are produced during certain times of the year, and are a fairly predictable indicator that you have a termite problem on your hands. A swarm can land as many as 50,000 termites at a time. If you notice a swarm, be sure to contact a qualified pest control expert to inspect your home. Some of the signs of a swarm include blistered wood, darkening of the surface of wood, and frass.
Another indication of a swarm is the presence of termite wings. Termites will often drop their wings when they find a suitable nest. Their wings are not a means of transportation, but rather a sign of their mature state. Termites will often swarm when the weather is warm and humid. For example, you may see a swarm during the spring.
Subterranean termites can live in the soil or they can live on brush or wood, but their main source of food is wood. Wood is a good snack for them because it has cellulose plant fibers. They will also build their nests and tunnels in wood. It is important to keep your home free of organic debris and other clutter that can harbor harmful termites. When your home becomes infested, consider putting a barrier around your perimeter to keep these nasty bugs out.
Several species of termites have wings. These are usually not visible, but can be an important indication of an infestation. Unlike most other insects, the wing-mistling trick is only true for some species of termites. This means that your house could be infested by flying termites even if you have not noticed any swarms.
Winged subterranean termites are one of three main castes of termites. These winged insects are the most advanced of the termite castes, and they are a sign that your home has a termite colony. There are two major types of winged subterranean termites, and both are incredibly common in the United States. Depending on the species, they can range in size from a few millimetres to 3/8 of an inch.
While most subterranean termites are not visible, they can be dangerous. Often, they will silently eat away at your home, and their damage can be difficult to detect. To protect yourself from subterranean termites, hire a trained professional to regularly inspect your home.
Pacific dampwood
The Pacific dampwood termite is an insect species that is found in several parts of the United States and Canada. This species of termite is very active and tends to destroy the wood in areas that have a lot of moisture. These insects are usually seen in moist wood such as in the base of a tree or on a wooden deck. They prefer to feed on decaying timbers that have a high moisture content. A dampwood termite colony is a social insect that consists of castes that are composed of nymphs, alates, and reproductives.
During the early stages of a dampwood termite colony, a female dampwood termite will release a pheromone. When the pheromone is detected by an animal or other insect, the insect will become attracted to the location. After the female locates a suitable place, she begins the process of starting a new colony. She does so by laying eggs that develop into workers.
As the reproductive termites develop into adult workers, they begin to travel to small chambers made up of wood fibers. They swarm during the day. In addition, they are known to mate and start new colonies. If the colony is very large, these winged reproductives may swarm several times throughout the year.
The reproductives are nearly one inch long. They are cream colored and have a spotted abdominal pattern. Some dampwood termites are winged. Their wings can be found in the second or third body section.
The Pacific dampwood termite is the largest Dampwood termite in the United States. It is found along the west coast from Mexico to British Columbia. Its swarms are smaller than other termite swarms. There are several types of dampwood termite, including the California dampwood termite, the Florida dampwood termite, and the Western dampwood termite.
Each species of dampwood termite has a specific name based on its area of distribution. For example, the Pacific dampwood termite is commonly found in the Pacific Northwest and southern Vancouver Island.
The Western dampwood termite, on the other hand, is found in the Pacific Southwest. These termites are very similar in behavior to the Pacific dampwood termite. Both species are mainly known for their preference of moist wood. However, the Western subterranean termite does not have an oval fecal pellet that can be observed in their nest.
The Pacific dampwood termite has a flat head and dark brown jaws. It is often seen in pilings that have been exposed to tidal flooding. Upon contact with moist wood, these termites are easily recognizable. They carry fungus spores in their gut.
The Pacific dampwood termite’s swarms are much smaller than those of other termite species. Swarms usually occur in the late summer, before the first fall rains. Although swarms are not harmful to humans, they do help in the spread of wood decay fungi. Therefore, the Dampwood termite is a very important economic pest in the Pacific region.
The Pacific dampwood termite lives in piers, docks, and other structures that are in close contact with the sea. Since the dampwood termite is attracted to moisture, it has the ability to infest nearby timbers.