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What Consumers Should Know About Termites
Termites are one of the most devastating household pests in your area. Once these pests have targeted your home, your property will be destroyed before you know it. You can’t let a termite infestation linger because the colony will rapidly destroy your house. These social creatures live in colonies with classes and responsibilities. Worker termites consume cellulose which can be found in various materials, including lumber, cotton fibers, furniture, and cardboard.
Termites build mounds once their colony has exceeded its population. Mounds give the termites more space to spread. Some termites can live above ground, but they’ll need constant access to water. Others will burrow in wood to build a suitable shelter. Once they’ve done that, they’ll build interlinked tunnels to stay safe. When you have termites, you may notice mud tubes around your home. Termites use these tubes to access nearby wood while being protected from predators.
Las Vegas is home to several termites species, but Subterranean termites tend to be the worst. They cause more than 90% of the damage done to American holes, businesses, and other structures.
Termite Colonies And Groups
Each termite colony is home to several groups. It is important to learn more about the classifications and the responsibilities of the termites.
Queens
When it comes to important termites, you’ll find that the queen ranks at the top of the list. These termites have to reproduce constantly to ensure that the colony has plenty of workers and soldiers. During the early days of the colony, the termites would not thrive without queen termites. Worker termites work together to move queen termites since they’re too big to move through the tunnels.
In just 24 hours, a queen termite can lay as many as 30,000 termite eggs.
Kings
Kings termites are equally important since they help queens produce more soldiers and workers. The king and queen will continue reproducing to create more soldiers, workers, and swarmers for the colony.
Workers
Although worker termites do not breed, they’re still one of the most important termites in the colony. Worker termites have soft, light bodies and can reach 10mm in length. You’ll find that they closely resemble a grain of rice. Worker termites are vitally important to the colony because they prefer most of the important tasks.
They work 24/7 to build tunnels, consume wood, feed other termites, and complete other mundane tasks.
Soldiers
Soldier termites share many characteristics with worker termites, but there are one or two major differences. First and foremost, soldiers have longer heads and more powerful jaws. The soldier termites use these features to fight back against termite predators, including ants. As you can guess, soldier termites are responsible for defending the colony from ants and other predators.
Winged Swarmers
Winged reproductives are not created throughout the years. Instead, the colony will primarily breed new swarmer ants during spring. There are male and female swarmers, and they’re responsible for spreading the colony to new areas. Unlike other termites, swarmers develop wings so they can fly away from their colony.
Once they’ve done that, they’ll find other places around your property to build more colonies. The termite colony on your property only has one king and one queen, but it can have many secondary reproductives.
Problematic Termites Found In Las Vegas
Las Vegas residents may run into a handful of other termite species, but the most common is the Subterranean termite. The species is found across the United States and it causes most of the structural damage in the United States.
Basics
Since you’re likely dealing with Subterranean termites, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about this species. Ultimately, Subterranean termites are similar to other termite species. Within a Subterranean termite colony, you will find workers, reproductives, and soldiers. You’ll also find a king and a queen. The size and appearance of the termite depend on its responsibilities. Swarmer termites do not look like worker termites and vice versa. In general, worker and soldier termites grow up to 3/8ths of an inch and look similar. The primary differences are that soldier termites have stronger jaws and a longer head.
Behavior
What do termites do once they’ve invaded your property? Well, they’re going to take shelter in underground colonies. Some termites will build and live in nests underground, but they need constant access to water. Once they’ve found a suitable food source, they’ll build mud tubes to reach that food without exposing themselves to dangers. Subterranean termites consume cellulose and products that contain it. When spring arrives, these termites will produce reproductive swarmers that can help establish new colonies.
Biggest Problems
Subterranean termites cannot be ignored because they’re going to destroy your property quickly. They aren’t dangerous to humans or pets, but they will chew through the wood in your home. The worker termites have jaws that operate like shears and chew through wood. Fix the problem or you’ll experience severe property damage before you know it.
Comparing Flying Ants & Flying Termites
If you have flying insects around your property, it could be a flying ant or a flying termite. Unfortunately, you won’t know until you go in for a closer look. First and foremost, you’ll need to pay attention to the insect’s wings. Flying ants have durable wings that are two different sizes. Flying termites have fragile wings, but they’re the same size. You’ll also want to check their waists because flying ants have pinched waists.
Finally, you’ll want to look for straight antennas. If you find straight antennas on the insect, you’re dealing with a flying termite.
Interesting Facts About Termites
You’ll want to learn as much as you can about termites.
- If you have a termite colony on your property, the termites in the colony will work 24 hours a day. They never take breaks.
- Termite colonies last an extremely long time. They can survive for more than 50 years. Tackle the problem or termites will destroy your home within a year or two.
- In general, a termite colony will contain as many as half a million termites at any given time.
- Despite being destructive, termites offer some benefits to the environment because they help get rid of deadwood.
- Termites build and use mud tunnels when they’re traveling above ground. These tunnels must be kept wet at all times.
- Most termite species have to be able to access water or they will die.
- Ants are the primary enemy of termites. They can attack colonies and workers when they’re out and about.
- By hiring a pro, you can likely eliminate all of the termites on your property.
- The world is home to a couple of thousand species of termites.
- United States residents will likely encounter 40 species with most being found in the southeast.
- Although the United States is filled with termites, Alaska does not have Subterranean termites.
- Of the damage done to American structures, Subterranean termites cause most of the damage.
- Worker termites feed other members of the colony. They chew and digest cellulose. Then, they will regurgitate it so others can eat it.
- Queen termites will turn your life upside down for 20 years or longer.
The Primary Dangers Of Termites
Termites do not pose health risks to humans or pets, but they can create a handful of other issues. It is pertinent to learn how to deal with termites because they will destroy your property. You’ve spent a lot of money buying and caring for your home. If you don’t tackle this issue rapidly, the termites will destroy everything you’ve worked for. Whether you’re a homeowner or business owner, you cannot ignore the immense dangers caused by termites.
How Can You Eliminate Termites?
Unfortunately, termites are difficult to eliminate and they’re not going to disappear on their own. With that being said, you need to find a solution to the issue immediately. One way to remedy the issue is by hiring an exterminator and taking advantage of their termite removal services. Many Las Vegas residents are eager to save money so they’ll try using DIY techniques. Although they might work, many DIY methods do not and they can be dangerous. Hiring us is the solution to getting the best results.
Taking Care Of Termites On My Own
Termites will turn your life upside down until you get rid of them. Could you take care of the issue without hiring a professional exterminator? Although you could, you’d be taking a massive risk. DIY termite treatments are very dangerous, so it is best to stick with a professional. Furthermore, you’ll find that hiring a professional is more fool-proof than doing it on your own.
How Quickly Can Your Exterminators Arrive?
Contact our office today to learn more about our bedbug treatments. Schedule an appointment and we’ll respond in 48 hours or less.
Should I Be Concerned About Pesticide Chemical Exposure?
Our extermination company takes pesticide safety seriously. In fact, we take pesticide safety to the next level by heeding the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. The agency is responsible for the oversight of pesticides in the United States. All manufacturers are required to seek EPA approval for their pesticides. To meet EPA approval requirements, manufacturers must prove why their pesticides are environmentally safe.
Our pesticide formulas range from eco-friendly, non-toxic, and chemical-based.
What Is The Best Prevention Strategy For Termite Infestations?
- Install underground drainage for downspouts and gutters to divert rainwater away from your home’s foundation
- Attach PVC piping to your air conditioning unit drainage system to collect condensation, diverting it away from your home’s foundation
- Install dehumidifiers and vents in areas with high humidity to improve ventilation
- Relocate firewood and lumber piles further away from your home
- Develop an inspection strategy for your entire home, focusing on the foundation, entrance doors, windows, soffit, siding, and garage doors
- Repair or replaced decaying building structures
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