Will Termites Bite You?
WouterTermites are not known to bite humans. Although they are destructive to wooden structures, they are not considered a direct threat to humans. They are also not known to carry disease.
Nevertheless, they can cause significant damage to your home. In addition, they leave soft spots on walls and floors. You should be careful when cleaning and moving furniture or objects. If you suspect that your home is infested with termites, contact a professional to have them removed.
Termites have mandibles that are serrated for cutting wood fibers. Their jaws are too small to penetrate skin. They use their saliva to break down cellulose. However, their saliva can cause some people to get irritated. If you feel itchy or if the bite swells, you may want to apply hydrocortisone cream.
Most people will not know they were bitten by a termite until it irritates them. Generally, the irritation will subside after a few days.
However, if the symptoms continue for more than a few hours, it could mean that you were bitten by a different insect. If you are concerned, you should seek emergency medical help.
Some species of termites, such as the Formosan termite, are more likely to bite than others. The soldier termite, for example, has a larger head and bigger jaws. These are more suited for defending the colony.
Unless you are allergic, you should be fine if you are bitten by a termite. The bite will most likely leave a red mark on your skin. Occasionally, you may feel burning. You should not worry, though, as the infection is unlikely to be serious. You should wash your hand and apply a cold compress if you feel any discomfort. If the redness or swelling persists, you should call your doctor.
