Subterranean termites
(Reticulitermes)
Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite in the United States. They live in colonies that may be located underground, under homes or other buildings. The subterranean species is responsible for billions of dollars in structural damage every year! If you think you have a subterranean termite problem, it’s important to act quickly. If left untreated, the damage can be extensive and costly. Here are some signs of infestation:
A subterranean termite colony can number into the hundreds of thousands and cause extreme damage if left unchecked.
You may be surprised to learn that a single termite colony can number into the hundreds of thousands. These subterranean termites cause extreme damage if left unchecked due to their high numbers and their ability to feed on wood, which means they are capable of destroying your home in a short time frame.
- Termites can cost homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs annually, not including what it costs you as a homeowner or renter if they get into your personal property as well.
- Subterranean termites are known carriers of over 100 diseases and viruses, so it is important to protect yourself from these insects at all times!
- The environmental damage caused by subterranean termite colonies cannot be overstated; these pests actually cause more damage than hurricanes because there is no way for us humans to stop them from entering structures like houses and buildings unless we take precautionary measures such as using baits around our homes every month or so throughout springtime months when these bugs start showing up again after winterizing months away from any human activity nearby living spaces like condos/apartments etcetera...
Termites are social insects that live in colonies.
A termite colony consists of three kinds of individuals: the queen, the king and the workers. The queen is usually larger than the other types while the king is smaller than them. Workers are usually sterile females that have developed ovaries but cannot produce eggs or sperm.
The caste system in a subterranean termite colony is based on sex and age rather than genetic variation like in ants or bees. The queen lays eggs throughout her life and can live for twenty to thirty years in captivity; however this is not possible under natural conditions because of predators and illness that could kill her before she reaches old age.
What do they look like?
Winged reproductive termites swarm from the colony to start new ones. They are about one-half of an inch long, including their wings, and dark brown or black in color.
Winged termites swarm in the spring, usually in April or May. The swarm is a black cloud of hundreds of thousands of winged reproductives that fly out from the colony and begin new colonies.
Swarming is an important part of the life cycle of subterranean termites. It occurs when there are too many termites for one nest to support and it enables them to seek out new areas where they can build a nest then start reproducing there.
It is most common for swarms to occur at dusk, but sometimes you may see one in daylight hours too if you live near an area with plenty of sunlight and moisture (which attracts the insects).
The termite queen lays eggs. She is up to one-and-a-half inches long, whitish in color, and lives several years.
The termite queen lays eggs and can be as long as one-and-a-half inches. She is whitish in color, lives several years, and is the only fertile female in the colony. Eggs are laid by the queen in a protected chamber known as an egg chamber or ootheca (plural oothecae). An ootheca may contain 50 to 1,000 eggs; each one hatches into a tiny grublike larva that develops into a worker termite. The workers do most of the work in a colony—foraging for food and constructing tunnels and chambers with their saliva secretions.
Termites differ from ants because they have no separate caste system; all members are capable of reproducing (unlike ants) so long as there is enough food available for them to grow up without starving first!
Each type of termite has its own unique lifestyle—some live underground where conditions are moist and cool while others prefer warmer habitats like tree trunks or piles of rubbish outside houses.”
The termite king joins and mates with the queen to start new colonies. He is also whitish in color with a brown head and measures up to one inch in length.
Both male and female termites are different sizes. The male is white, measuring only 1/8-inch long, while the female is brown, measuring up to 3/8-inch long.
The king has a large head that’s difficult to miss when you see one. Another distinguishing characteristic of this termite is his large size compared to other workers or soldiers in his colony (which are all smaller). If you notice what looks like a giant worker or soldier in your home, it could be a king!
Termites eat wooden structures such as walls, floors, siding and framing; paper products; cardboard; filtering materials; insulation; pool liners; artificial turf; and landscape timbers, just to name a few!
- Termites are social insects that live in colonies. Each colony consists of three types of termites: workers, soldiers and reproductives. All three castes have a caste-specific function within the colony.
- Subterranean termites build shelter tubes made from mud and excavate soil to create subterranean tunnels for foraging and protection from environmental conditions such as wetness or heat. These tunnels can be found in many different areas such as lawns, gardens, under sidewalks or driveways, near foundations and behind walls inside homes or commercial buildings!
- Subterranean termites prefer small diameter wood (2 to 4 inches) because it is easier to chew through compared with larger diameters where they may get stuck while feeding on cellulose fibers present in wood products such as furnitures
Know the signs of Subterranean Termite damage so you can get rid of them ASAP.
When you suspect subterranean termites, you should look for small holes in wood and discoloration. You can also look for piles of sawdust on the floor or ground near your home. Dead termites, wings, live termites and mud tubes are all signs too.
Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into the world of subterranean termites. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the section below!
