Subterranean Termites cause over 1.6 million dollars worth of damages in Pennsylvanian homes each year. Eastern Subterranean termites can be difficult to detect until major damages begin to occur. Stewart Termite & Pest Control will share how you can properly inspect for Eastern Subterranean termites and what you can do to help prevent and control Eastern Subterranean termites.
What is the Caste of Termites?
Eastern Subterranean termites consist of three colony members. One is, of course, the workers which are the ones that care for the eggs, and larva. They also bring food back to the colony. The other member is the soldier who protects the colony from invaders such as ants and other insects. Then you have the Kings and Queens. The workers have round heads with an oval shaped body that is pale cream in color. The soldier termites have the same shaped body as the workers but have a big armored head with a large pair of pinchers. The king and queen greatly differ in appearance. They are black or dark brown, with a large pair of tear drop shaped wings that are typically white in color. The king mates with the females when they come of age, which is usually during the spring. After mating the males will die shortly thereafter. When you see the kings and queens flying or gathering together, they are called swarmers or alates. After the queens have mated they will fly off and typically not far from their home colony to begin her own colony. One sign of a future termite colony is seeing the queen’s wings that she has twisted off once she has found a place to begin her colony. If you see the tear drop wings on windowsills or anywhere else around your home, you know a queen is starting her colony near that area.
Signs of Eastern Subterranean Termite Activity
The first sign is seeing the swarmers. The second sign is seeing the discarded wings of a queen termite. However, both these signs often get overlooked. Often a colony of Eastern Subterranean termites will be in the ground near dying or dead trees or tree stumps. They will travel into homes through mud tunneling systems sometime above ground. Other times the nest may be at the edge of a home where Eastern Subterranean termites will build tunnels that look like mud veins climbing up the side of a home. Eastern Subterranean termites are seen most commonly invading inside the basements of homes where along the walls or ceiling you see stalagmites made of saw dust and mud. This is another sign of termites feeding in your home.
How Do You Prevent Termites?
To help prevent and control termites, you really want the aid of a professional pest control company that is licensed to handle termites. However, you can prevent termites by keeping all decaying or dead wood outside of your home cleaned away and removed off of your property. This step can help. You can also look for the signs of a termite infestation as listed above and act quickly!
Termite Inspections & Treatment
If you have seen signs of termites that are affecting your home, contact Stewart Termite & Pest Control. We are both experienced and licensed to handle termites. Don’t wait until your home has thousand of dollars worth of damages, contact Stewart Termite & Pest Control today.