Termites are notorious across the country with the destruction they cause. Having termites are problematic as they cost billions of dollars in the damage they do a year for businesses and homes. As they chew through and consume the wood throughout your building, the integrity of the wood is weakened with hollowed galleries, or tunnels. We at Stewart Termite and Pest Control would like to share some basic information regarding subterranean termites, though there are different types of termites, but in Pittsburgh, PA, subterranean termites are dominant.
Subterranean Termite Damage
With a weakness for softer areas in the wood they infest, these termites will often leave the hard wood in lieu of the softer wood. Keep in mind, all wood is still susceptible, however. In addition to the subterranean termites compacting the hallows of the infested timber with damp soil, the infested timber that is left behind is but a thin shell with honeycomb like layers of hollow section. Subterranean termites require moist environments and live in dark, damp soil. As they engage your home from the infested soil next to the foundation, subterranean termites infest your home more often than not.
Subterranean Termite Life Cycle & Colony Caste
Subterranean termites have three castes which are subject to a queen as social insects living in a colony inside their nest. To daily produce the 2,000 fertile eggs, she will lay in a day, the king and queen mate. Adults either belong to the workers, soldiers, or swarmers (which are future kings and queens of new colonies) after the nymphs are hatched from the egg and eventually evolve to adulthood. The wings are shed as these termites, the reproducing adults, are the only ones with wings, but once they start their new colony. For their new nesting grounds in the spring and early summer, the swarmers are the most actively searching, generally. The soft-bodied worker termites keep the colony functioning and are a creamy-translucent colored termite. Feeding the king and queen along with the soldiers, caring for the young, and foraging for food in addition to excavating and repairing tunnels are the worker termite responsibilities. Being a part of a 250-million-year-old feuds with ants, the defenders of the colony are soldier termites. The orange colored soldiers have developed a hard-shell helmet around their heads, the heads and are armed with mandible pinchers they use in combat. The soldiers will first secrete a sticky latex resin to ensnare their victims before using their pinchers to crush them. While the workers make the repairs, people may catch a glimpse of the soldier termites in rare instances when a breech was made and they we will stay on guard.
Termite Inspections & Treatment
Where they closely connect to nearby damaged wood, subterranean termites build the mud tubes to reach higher levels, which is a sign they are in your Pittsburgh, PA home. As quickly as possible, you will want to rectify a termite infestation. The more damage will be done, the longer they stay. For your termite services, contact Stewart Termite and Pest Control today.