Termites are an important concern in many homes, but the termite with wings is a rare and beautiful species. They have a wingspan of about a foot and are very small. Unlike other termites, they do not produce their own food, but they will eat the food they find around them. When you find a termite with wings, you should call a professional to assess the situation and remove it. This will help to keep your home free of the insects and will also give you peace of mind.
Subterranean termites
Termites are tiny insects that can cause billions of dollars in property damage in the United States. Termites feed on cellulose, a substance that gives wood its strength. They are a common pest, but you can prevent them from infesting your home by doing some simple steps.
One of the first signs of an infestation is a pile of tiny wings that can be found on your windowsill or around a light fixture. If you see a large number of these wings, you may have a termite colony. These flying insects love to eat wood, and a single colony can consume seven pounds of wood each year. However, the swarms that these insects produce can be quite alarming.
A swarm is a group of termites that have gathered together to fly out of a nest and establish a new colony. These swarms are often attracted to light. During swarming season, close all the windows and install mesh screens on doors. The swarms are not harmful to people, but they can be a serious warning sign of termite infestation.
Subterranean termites are common in the NYC metro area. These insects are incredibly small and soft. Their teeth, which look like saws, help them chew through wood. It’s important to remember that subterranean termites can enter your home through cracks in the foundation and even through concrete.
Termites have three main castes. First, there is the worker termite. Workers are the most numerous. Worker termites spend most of their time in the colony. Unlike other termites, worker termites do not have eyes. They spend most of their time feeding and building tunnels.
Next, there are the alates. These termites are the only class of subterranean termites with wings. Alates are reproductive members of the colony, and they swarm out of their nest to find a mate. Once they’ve found a mate, they break off their wings and leave the colony. Depending on the species, the termite’s front wings can be up to an inch long.
The reproductive caste of subterranean termites with wing is the best to identify. Swarmers are usually dark brown, with an even length of wings. While swarmers can be seen all over the home, they are mainly found around the light fixtures. This is because light attracts these winged insects.
To prevent subterranean termites, keep your house clean. Clean all organic debris that can be consumed by termites. Also, make sure to check your home for water leaks and wood rot. Use a mesh screen on the window sills to help keep these flying creatures out.
Finally, if you have a swarm of subterranean termites with their wings, you’ll want to contact a professional to get rid of them. Most pest control companies offer a re-treatment guarantee, which means that if you don’t cure your infestation in the first treatment, they’ll come back to treat it for free.
Drywood termites
If you have a house or other structure with wood surfaces that are exposed to the outdoors, you are susceptible to being attacked by drywood termites. They cause billions of dollars in damage every year. However, there are ways to prevent an infestation.
Drywood termites are insects that live in colonies and are primarily found along the coastal areas of the United States. Drywood termites are small and only come to the surface of a piece of wood. The colony typically consists of a king, a soldier, a nymph, and a pseudergate. A single drywood termite can be as little as one-eighth inch long. These insects have a complex system of veins that they use to carry water from the cellulose inside the wood to their nest.
Drywood termites aren’t able to produce mud tubes like subterranean termites do. Instead, they excavate a nest within the wood. It is also important to keep in mind that these termites are very secretive. This means that you might not even know that you have a termite infestation until you see a swarm flying around the house.
When drywood termites swarm, they usually leave their colony to build a new one. In order to do this, they need air to fly. Most swarms occur when there is a high rainfall or temperatures are rising. Once they land, the swarmers begin to search for a suitable location to build a new colony.
Termites are social insects that eat wood. Their nests are typically underground, but they can be found above ground as well. They are typically seen in the spring and fall months. While they may destroy a structure, they can also be treated with chemical barriers or poisonous barriers.
The best way to keep termites from attacking your home is to eliminate moisture from the wood. To do this, you will need to replace damaged wood or make sure that your foundation is properly sealed. You can also enlist the help of a pest control professional to do the job for you.
Usually, drywood termites can be easily detected by their droppings. Although these are small, they are often mistaken for sawdust. Additionally, they can produce a hollow or thudding sound. Another warning sign is when you see a hollow piece of wood that yields to a screwdriver.
Besides leaving an infestation, drywood termites can also cause damage to wooden surfaces. In some cases, you might notice that your paint is bubbled. These insects are also known to create tiny holes in wood. As a result, you might need to have your home fumigated.
One of the most important things to remember is to listen to your inspector’s recommendations. If he recommends a termite treatment, take his advice. Using the wrong pesticide can lead to more insect damage.
Signs of a termite infestation
Termite infestations are common and can be difficult to diagnose. But, there are some signs to watch out for that can help you identify an infestation. In general, the most obvious sign is a termite exit hole. If you see one, call a pest control professional immediately. It can be an indicator of a more serious problem.
Another very obvious sign is a pile of discarded wings. This may be a sign of a swarm or an established colony. You can find discarded wings inside the house or in the area around window sills, doors or other entry points. These flying termites are called alates. They are the reproductives of the termite colony. Usually, they swarm in the spring and fall.
Other signs of a termite infestation are mud tubes, which are tubes made by termites that allow them to move from the ground to their food sources. Depending on the type of termite, these tubes may look like veins on the foundation, a drilled mud tunnel, or a hole surrounded by a mud wall. Generally, these tubes are very large, indicating that the termites have lived in the nest for a while.
While a pile of discarded wings is a good indication of a termite infestation, you will need to confirm with an expert. A few species of termites, such as the common eastern subterranean termite, are known to leave sawdust-like droppings in wood. The droppings may be in your attic or even in the wall.
Some species of termites are particularly active at night. They may leave a ‘flying’ swarm or make a clicking noise when they come in contact with wood. However, this doesn’t mean that they are a threat to your home.
Termite swarms are actually a group of male and female termites. Their purpose is to mate. Once they have found a mate, they will leave their colony and begin a new one. Swarming can occur in large numbers or in small groups. Most swarms are termites, but you may also find flying ants in a swarm.
While there are a few more subtle signs of a termite infestation, discarded wings are the most obvious. Termites use their wings as a signal to attract light. They fly toward windows to do this. When they land, they may twist their wings off. If they are able to locate a mate, the winged termites will shed their wings.
Termites have an appetite for cellulose, which is found in paper, cardboard, and wood. Termites can chew through trees and shrubs and may even damage wooden structures.
Termites can cause billions of dollars in damage each year. Not only are they destructive, they can also be very hard to spot. With proper precautions, you can protect your home from an infestation.