Do Termites Kill Grass?
WouterTermites can damage your lawn and plants, but they are not insects that will bite you. They can eat your wood and soil, and can cause structural damage to your home.
There are two kinds of termites that are commonly found in lawns. The first is the agricultural termite. These are found in arid areas. They are more like subterranean termites, but they live in the soil. These are mostly found in the southern U.S. and western U.S. They are also found in prairies and savannahs.
The second type is the desert termite. They are found in dry desert areas of the Southwest. They are useful to farmers because they feed on cellulose and other plant materials, which promotes plant growth.
These insects have two kinds: worker and reproductive castes. The workers have tiny brown heads and a pale creamy body. They eat weeds, grasses and other plant materials.
The reproductive castes are called alates. The females lay up to 25000 eggs per day. They swarm during spring. They form a nest in the soil, which is visible during the spring months.
Generally, the best way to treat an infestation is with pest control. A professional will be able to tell you which type of termite you have and what kind of treatment is needed. It can cost about $200 to $900 on average.
One of the most common signs of an infestation is the presence of termite mud tubes. These are strands of dirt that termites create in order to travel from their colony to their food source. They can be seen everywhere. If they are buried in your yard, they can cause significant damage to your plants.
