Are All Termites Bad?
WouterWhen you are considering buying a home, it is important to understand whether termites are a bad thing. Having an infestation is not only a nuisance, it can cause significant damage to your home before you even notice it. It can also cost you a lot of money in repairs, depending on the extent of the infestation.
Subterranean termites enter houses through unsealed foundations. These termites are very destructive, and can cause serious structural damage. Termites have been known to chew through wallpaper, wood, and even piles of clothing. The best way to detect an infestation is to hire a professional to inspect your property.
Reproductive termites are the most important to detect. These are the species responsible for creating new colonies. They can be found crawling in the areas where people can see them. These termites are dark brown in color with wings that are gray to brown.
A mature colony may contain hundreds of thousands of termites. It is very difficult to find a single individual. Generally, the largest contingent in a colony is the worker termites. They are slightly smaller than soldiers, and they are responsible for the care of the nest.
Soldier termites are larger in size, with a long, narrow, amber-colored head. They have larger mandibles, and they serve as guardians of the colony. They are not a direct threat to your home, but they can make rattling noises that you need to be able to detect.
