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Termites…How They Do Their
Dirty Work
Termites live in underground colonies and are among the most destructive pests
in the world. Their colonies can be substantial in size — with some colonies
numbering more than one million termites. A termite colony consist of a king,
queen, workers, soldiers and reproductives. The most numerous in the colony and
the one that can eat away at your home is the worker termite. They constantly
forage for food and cause almost 2 billion dollars of damage in the U.S. alone
each year. However, the one you are most likely to see within your home is the
reproductive, commonly referred to as a termite swarmer. While the reproductives
(swarmers) themselves do not cause damage, they are a good indication that you
may have an infestation within your home. These termite swarmers are active between
March and October, but may also be discovered January and February depending
on the climate patterns. See our Termite Swarm Season Map for common time frames
for your area.
Termite Facts
- Alabama and Mississippi are ranked among the areas of highest termite infestation probability in the U.S.
- Termites cause almost 2 billion dollars annually in damage in the U.S.
- Formosan termites, the most aggressive subterranean termite in the U.S., have been identified throughout portions of Alabama and Mississippi.
- Every Home is a target for termites
- No attempts at termite proof construction have ever been completely successful
How Termites Enter Your Home
Termites only need 1/64" to enter your home. They enter your home through hollow block entries, cracks in concrete, expansion joints between walls and slabs, and through utility pipe entries. Even houses built on slabs are threatened by termites that find their way through utility entry points and cracks. See our interactive house illustration for more information.
Signs Of Termite Infestation Within Your Home
You are more likely to discover you have a termite problem by discovering the evidence they leave behind rather than the termites themselves. If you encounter any of these signs, please contact us immediately for your free
termite inspection.
- Piles of small, delicate wings shed by reproductives (swarmers)
- Mud tubes built by termites for above ground travel
- Small piles of dust
- Damaged or hollow sounding wood
- Pinholes in drywall or wallpaper
Are ants or termites invading your home?
Ants and termites may be similar in some ways, but once you understand their difference they are very easy to distinguish. Here are some simple ways you can tell them apart:
| Termites have a straight waist or abdomen |
Ants have a very thin waist or abdomen displaying their body segments |
| Termites have straight antennae |
Ants have elbowed antennae |
| Termites are poor flyers |
Ants are skilled flyers |
| Termites have four wings of equal size |
Ants have four wings; two wing pairs of
unequal length |
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