How Do Termites Make Webs?
WouterTermites are wood eating insects that can cause major damage to homes. They can live in your home for years without you knowing it. They will eat everything from cardboard to wood paneling. They can cause sunken areas on surfaces and narrow winding lines in your wood.
Termites have three main social castes. The first, the reproductive caste, is responsible for creating new colonies. The other two are the soldiers and workers.
Each termite has a specific job to perform to keep the colony going. Reproductive termites mate with each other and then produce swarmers. These swarmers leave the colony for a brief time to find mates. Once they have found a mate, they discard their wings. These swarmers will become the king and queen of the new colonies.
The soldier termite is a larger version of the reproductive termite. They have enlarged mandibles and a large head. They are more aggressive than the other members of the caste. The bite can be painful and red.
If you notice a swarm of winged termites around your home, it may be a warning that you have an infestation. You may have to check out your foundation or your window sills. Depending on the species, they will either appear outside or inside of your home.
Unlike other pests, termites are essentially blind. They eat wood, cellulose, and grass. They are also experts at hiding. Often, they enter homes through cracks or damp rotting wood.
