What is the first sign of termites?

What is the first sign of termites?

Usually the first sign of a termite infestation is the presence of flying termites — called swarmers or alates. The flying termites are the males and females that have left the nest to find a mate and then establish a new colony — which could be near or in your home.

Why flying termites mean serious trouble?

It might be said that seeing winged termites is the insect equivalent of having a black cat cross your path – in other words, a sign of bad luck. If you see swarms around or inside your home, it should act as a warning sign for 2 potential dangers: You may already have an existing termite problem.

Do termites have wings and fly?

Swarmer termites are sometimes mistaken for winged ants. However, termite swarmers have straight antennae and their wings are the same size, while the flying ant's antennae are bent and the front pair of wings is larger than the rear pair.

How do you kill termites naturally?

Termites have a head and a thorax; whereas ants have a head, thorax and abdomen (see the difference in the images above). Termite wings are usually much longer than ant wings – about double the length of the termite body. Ant wings are only slightly longer than the ant body.

How small are baby termites?

These larvae are also known as immatures. Though they may resemble other termites, they are much smaller in size. Baby termites are just about the size of the eggs they came from and are less than 2.55 mm long.

What do termites look like to the human eye?

What do Termites look like to the Human Eye? Termites have a soft body, and they are grey, brown, or white. … The three main things pointed out as differences between termites and any other insects is that; their waist is straight, their antennae are straight, and the length of the wings is the same.

What are the stages of termites?

The termite's life cycle can result in three different types of termite or caste types. The three types consist of reproductive, workers, and soldiers. The life cycle contains an egg, young termite larvae or termite nymph, older nymph, worker, soldier, pseudergate, drone, and queen.

What are termites attracted to?

Warm weather and consistent humidity make southern residents most likely to experience termite activity. Leaky pipes, improper drainage, and poor airflow all create moisture issues that attract termites. Dampwood and subterranean termites in particular thrive in humid environments.

Do termites turn into flies?

Flying termites are adult reproductive termites, called swarmers. … The species of termites and geographic location can also factor into when termites swarm. Also, swarmers don't fly very well and when they settle on the ground, they soon shed their wings.

What does a termite look like without wings?

Worker termites do not have wings, but still have the same antennae. They are white in appearance and sometimes translucent. Soldier termites do not have wings and are brownish in colors. They have pincers near their heads, as well as antennae.

How long does a termite swarm last?

A termite swarm will last about 30-40 minutes and the swarming termites will fly toward a light source, typically collecting around windows and sliding glass doors. If these termites cannot find soil, they will die in a few hours from dehydration.

What to do if termites are found?

Make sure mulch is not abutted right against your house. Get rid of moisture – watch for leaking pipes, or any place where there is damp wood. Seal up windows and doors – when termite swarmers come out, they can get inside through broken window screens and doors with cracks and openings. Seal those places up.

Are flying termites attracted to light?

Winged termites are highly attracted to sources of light such as street lamps and can often be found swarming around these sources. Termites aren't very good fliers and generally rely on the wind to help with air mileage. Because of this, termite swarms don't last long, and can be found close to the originating nests.

How do you kill termites without chemicals?

Another unique and natural method to rid your home of termites involves using small worms called parasitic nematodes available online or at a pesticide store. These nematodes will quickly get to work making meals out of the termites damaging your home.

What does termite larva look like?

Termite larvae look like a smaller version of the adult worker and nymph termites; they have a separate, segmented head, legs, and antennae. Ant larvae look like grubs. They have no legs or eyes, nor do they appear to have a separate, segmented head.