What to Termites Look Like
WouterTermites are small insects that feed on wood, cellulose, and other cellulose-containing substances. They’ve been around for more than 250 million years and can cause serious structural damage. They can multiply very quickly and are usually silent pests. But they can cause tens of thousands of dollars worth of property damage, so you need to know how to spot them.
The first step in identifying termites is to learn about their life cycle. The most common termites are the subterranean varieties. These insects live in the soil and create tunnels and mud tubes to avoid detection.
They’re also highly tuned to water-damaged wood. A single termite might not cause much damage, but a colony could leave a huge mess behind. In fact, it’s estimated that termites cause 100 million dollars’ worth of damage in Australia every year.
The best way to detect termites is by looking for signs. Some of the most obvious are holes in the wood, mud tubes, and discarded wings. However, it’s important to note that you won’t always be able to see these.
Another great indicator of termite activity is a pile of dry fecal pellets. These pellets are the discarded feces of termites. This is often the first sign of termite infestation, and may be the only one you notice.
If you don’t want to tackle your termite problem yourself, consider hiring a professional. Having a pest control technician look at your home can be an easy and effective way to determine what kind of termite you have.
