Termites: Facts, Information, and Treatment

Welcome to Fox Pest Control’s ultimate guide on termites! Whether you’re dealing with an infestation or just curious about these tiny creatures, we’ve got all the information you need. From facts and types to behaviors and termite treatment options, this guide covers it all. Let’s dive in.

How Many Termites Are There in the World?!

There are a lot of termites in the world—trillions, in fact! These tiny insects are everywhere, with more than 2,000 different species living across the globe. Believe it or not, if you piled up all the termites in the world, they would weigh more than all the humans on Earth. That’s about 445 million tons of termites compared to humans, who weigh around 350 million tons!

Termite colonies can be huge, with some having millions of members. They play an important role in nature, especially by helping break down dead plants and adding nutrients to the soil. So, while they might be pests in homes, they’re actually doing a lot for the environment.

Termites: Veterans of the Insect World

Termites have been around for a really, really long time—estimates put them anywhere from 100 – 250 million years! They first appeared during the Triassic period, making them one of the oldest insect groups, even outlasting the dinosaurs. These ancient insects evolved from a cockroach-like ancestor and have been thriving ever since.

Most Common Termite Species

While there are over 2,900 different species of termites throughout the world, there are a few well-known species here in the US. The most common is the subterranean termite, which is found in every state except Alaska. These little pests are responsible for nearly 95% of all termite damage in the United States. You can also usually find Drywood and Dampwood termites throughout the warm, southern, and coastal states. We’ll dive a little deeper into each of these species in a minute.

Do Termites Bite or Sting?

Termites don’t usually bite or sting people. They’re not aggressive and prefer to stay hidden, munching away on wood and plants. The only ones with strong jaws are the soldier termites, and they will only bite if they feel threatened, like if you pick them up. But don’t worry—if you do get bitten, it’s not harmful, and termites don’t spread diseases like some bugs do. So, while they can damage your home, they’re not a danger to you.

Life Cycle of Termites

The termite life cycle is pretty fascinating. Let’s break it down:

1. Egg: It all starts when the queen lays eggs. She can lay thousands over her lifetime! The eggs hatch into tiny termites called nymphs.
2. Nymph: Baby termites, or nymphs, grow and molt (shed their exoskeleton) several times as they develop into different roles in the colony. Have you ever wondered what baby termites look like? If you look at the graphic above, you’ll see that they’re mini versions of the adults – white and nearly translucent.
3. Caste System (Worker, Soldier, Reproductive):
   • Workers: Most nymphs grow up to be workers. These are the ones doing all the heavy lifting—gathering food, building tunnels, and taking care of the queen and king.
   • Soldiers: Some nymphs develop into soldiers. They have strong jaws and big heads to protect the colony from predators like ants.
   • Reproductives (Swarmers): Finally, some termites become reproductive adults, called alates or swarmers. These are the ones that grow wings, leave the nest, and go off to start new colonies.
4. Swarming: During certain times of the year, usually after rain, the winged termites (alates) fly out of the colony in big groups, called swarms. They’re looking for mates and a good spot to start a new colony.
5. New Colony: After landing, the alates lose their wings and pair up. They dig into the ground, build a tiny nest, and start laying eggs, becoming the new king and queen of their colony. And the cycle starts all over again!

With this pattern, the termite life cycle keeps the colony growing and thriving, with each type of termite having a special job to keep things running smoothly.

The Roles of Adult Termites

Remember how we said that termites follow a caste system? Adult termites have specific roles within the colony that help keep things in order. You may be wondering how each role is decided. Let’s dig into it a bit more and find out!

The Termite Queen’s Role

The queen termite is basically the “mother” of the whole colony, and her main job is to lay eggs—tons of them! It takes her a little while to really get into the groove of things—she only produces a few hundred in her first year. As she gets bigger, she starts laying more eggs. An older queen in a well-established colony can lay up to 40,000 eggs every day. Over her lifetime, she could lay millions of eggs, helping the colony grow really fast.

One of the queen’s main jobs is keeping the colony balanced and growing. As she lays eggs, she releases pheromones that guide termite nymphs into becoming workers, soldiers, or reproductive termites. These pheromones control the number of termites produced for each role, ensuring the colony has enough members to gather food, defend the nest, and keep things running smoothly.

One of the coolest things about the queen is how long she lives. While most worker termites only live a few years, the queen can live for decades, sometimes over 25 years! This means she can keep the colony going strong for a really long time. Without the queen, the colony would fall apart because there wouldn’t be any new termites to replace the older ones. Long live the Queen! (But maybe not at your house, right?)

The Termite Caste System

Each adult termite has its own important role in the colony. Whether they’re building tunnels, guarding the nest, or starting new colonies, these little insects are always busy! Let’s dive into the three main types of adult termites: workers, soldiers, and reproductives!

1. Workers: These are the most common termites in a colony, the backbone of the colony, making sure everything is organized and that everyone has enough food. Here’s what they do:

• Build and maintain tunnels and nests.
• Gather food, like wood and plants, for everyone in the colony.
• Feed the queen, king, soldiers, and baby termites (called nymphs).
• Take care of the eggs and nymphs.

2. Soldiers: Their one main job is to defend the colony. They’ve got big heads and strong jaws to protect the nest from threats like ants and other predators. Even though they’re tough, soldiers can’t feed themselves, so they rely on the workers to take care of them. Think of soldiers as the colony’s bodyguards, always ready to fight off any invaders.
3. Reproductives (Swarmers or Alates): These are the termites that start new colonies. While they’re still larvae, reproductives grow tiny wing pads in preparation to become future kings and queens. Once they reach adulthood, these winged termites fly away to find a mate and start a new colony. When they find the right spot, they lose their wings and become the new king and queen, and the cycle starts over again.

Behavior, Diet, and Living Conditions of Termites

Okay, so now you know a lot about termite colonies and how they function. Termites are very particular creatures and have very specific needs and tastes. For example, did you know that they are picky eaters? There are some types of wood that they won’t eat, and some of them are toxic to termites.

Another fun fact – termite farts affect climate change! No, really! They do! In fact, termite flatulence is a huge source of methane, and pound-for-pound, termites produce even more methane than cows!

Because each species is unique with its own quirks and habits, we’ve gone a bit deeper into the four most common that you might encounter in the United States. Check out each of these pages to learn more about the 4 most common species you might encounter: Dampwood termites, Drywood termites, Formosan termites, and Eastern Subterranean termites.

Mistaken Identities

Remember how we said that reproductive termites will sprout wings, find a mate, and a new location for their colony? Well, some ants do the same thing, and it can be confusing to know if the winged insect is a termite or an ant. Here are a few key differences:

• Body Shape
  • Winged Termites: They have a more uniform, straight, and broad body without a noticeable waist. Their abdomen is almost one solid line.
  • Winged Ants: They have a distinct, narrow waist between the thorax and abdomen, making them look “pinched” or segmented.
• Antennae
  • Winged Termites: Straight antennae that look more like tiny beads.
  • Winged Ants: Elbowed or bent antennae, which look almost like the shape of a boomerang.
• Wings
  • Winged Termites: Both pairs of wings are equal in size and longer than the body, giving them a rectangular, almost boat-like appearance.
  • Winged Ants: The front wings are noticeably longer than the hind wings, and they tend to have a more triangular, asymmetrical shape when folded.
• Color
  • Winged Termites: Generally light or dark brown.
  • Winged Ants: Usually dark brown or black, though some ant species can vary in color.
• Swarming Differences
  • Winged Termites: Most species, like subterranean termites, swarm in spring, especially after rainfall. However, drywood termites tend to swarm in late summer or early fall.
  • Winged Ants: Ants can swarm in the late spring and early summer, but are highly influenced by environmental factors like temperature and rainfall, so swarming can happen in warmer months and milder climates.

You don’t really want to see either one around your house, but termites are definitely more of a problem. The damage they can do can be costly and overwhelming. There are some key differences, which you can see below, but if you see swarms of winged insects, it’s probably a good idea to call Fox right away. We’ll take care of whatever is trying to take over your home!

How Do Termites Communicate?

Did you know that termites are blind? Kind of crazy to think that an insect that can tunnel through wood and cause such damage can’t even see where they’re going! They’ve got their own amazing system of communication, and it’s highly effective!

1. Pheromones, or chemical signals. Termites use special chemicals called pheromones to send messages. For example, they leave a trail of pheromones to lead others to food or to signal danger. These invisible signals help termites stay organized.
2. Touch. Termites often communicate by touching each other. Since they don’t rely on sight, they tap their antennae or bodies together to share information, such as identifying one another or passing along food.
3. Vibrations. When termites feel threatened, they bang their heads against the walls of their tunnels to make vibrations. This warns other termites to get ready for danger or to run away.

Pretty cool, right? Using these tricks, termites stay in sync and work as a team, even though they can’t see or talk!

What You Can Do About Termites

So, you saw the signs, and you know you’ve got termites. Or, you don’t see any signs but want to make sure you don’t have a neon sign advertising a vacancy for them to move in. We have some great tips to help make your home less inviting to these pesky insects.

1. Reduce Moisture: Make sure you don’t have any leaks in your plumbing, roof, or gutters. Fix any leaks quickly and use dehumidifiers in places like basements or crawl spaces to keep things dry.
2. Keep Wood Away from Your Home: Don’t stack firewood or wood debris against your house. Also, avoid using wood mulch right next to your home’s foundation. Keep woodpiles at least 20 feet away from your home.
3. Seal Cracks and Gaps: Check your home for foundation cracks or gaps around windows and doors, and seal them.
4. Use Treated Wood: When building or repairing your home, use termite-resistant or pressure-treated wood. This type of wood is less attractive to termites and helps prevent infestations.
5. Remove Dead Trees and Stumps: Get rid of dead trees, old stumps, or fallen branches in your yard. This reduces the chance of termites finding a food source close to your home.

Taking these steps can make your home less appealing to termites and help keep them from moving in!

How Do I Get Rid of Termites?

What if you’ve done all the things, and still have a termite problem? That’s when it’s time to call Fox Pest Control. We know all about termites and how to get rid of them. When you combine the tips above with our Termite Defense Plan, you get protection 24/7/365 days a year.

We’ll help you spot entry points, unsealed areas, and potential issues that are causing the infestation. Our termite exterminators get regular, on-the-ground training and know how to deal with your termite problem. You can count on Fox to give you peace of mind and help you feel comfortable and safe in your home. Are you ready to keep termites out? Call us today!