If you suspect you have termites in your home, it can be helpful to know what they look like. Termites are small insects that can cause major damage to homes and buildings if they are not dealt with quickly. As soon as you notice termites or damage caused from termites, you should contact your local pest control company to get them eradicated immediately.
Identification: What Termites Look Like
Termites are small insects that range in size from one-eighth to a quarter of an inch long. They can vary in shades of white, brown, and black, depending on their type, species, and age. The most common type of termite is the subterranean termite, which is pale yellowish-brown to dark brown in color and has a thick abdomen that tapers off towards the head. Other types of termites include drywood termites, which are usually reddish-brown in color; dampwood termites, which have a pinkish-gray body; and Formosan termites, which have a light tan body with yellowish legs.
Signs of Termites in Your Home
If you suspect an infestation of any kind, there are several signs you should look for to know if there are termites in your home. Signs include mud tubes near your foundation or other wood structures, piles of discarded wings near windows or doors, live or dead insects around your home, frass (wood shavings) near damaged wood structures, and hollow sounds coming from wooden beams or walls. If any of these signs appear in your home, it’s important to contact a licensed pest control expert immediately for proper treatment.
If you do see these indicators, it may be indicative of Formosan termites – a highly destructive species that originates from Southeast Asia. Formosan termites are usually light to dark brown in color and have four wings; they feed on anything containing cellulose and can quickly grow large colonies if left unchecked.
Termites vs Carpenter Ants
Termites and carpenter ants are similar in size and shape, and both can cause damage to the wood in your home. Termites can be differentiated from ants by their antennae (which are straight instead of bent) and their wings (which are twice as long as their bodies). Unlike ants, termites lack an external waist connecting the thorax to the abdomen. It’s important to note that all types of termites have a pair of pincers at the end of their abdomens that they use for feeding.
The main difference between termites and carpenter ants is that termites actually eat the wood in your home, whereas carpenter ants form tunnels in the wood to create nests. Both will cause damage over time, but termites can cause significantly more damage than carpenter ants.
How to Get Rid of Termites
If you suspect you have a termite problem in your home, it’s best to let professional pest control providers take care of the problem. Tanler Termite & Pest Control offers free estimates as soon as the same-day or next-day. Contact them today to get started!