Termites

Detroit MI Termite Pest Control

Termites are tiny insects that cause structural damage to residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The insect species colonize to ensure long-term survival and to sustain an increasing population. Like the ant colony, the termite colony has workers (laborers), alates (winged termites), soldiers, wingless termites, and the queen.

Termite workers forage for food, build tunnels, and erect nests. Termite soldiers, on the other hand, are responsible for protecting the queen and the young from predators. The queen termite is responsible for building the colony population. Swarmer termites are both winged and wingless. Winged swarmer termites are responsible for caring for the queen and the young. In the spring and summer of each year, winged swarmer termites fly off to find a partner to breed. Winged swarmer termites are responsible for building new colonies separate from the main colony.

Cellulose from plants and organic materials make up the termite diet. Termite tunnels are visibly detectable on top of the ground, thanks to mounds. As the worker termites dig tunnels, the dirt removed ends up on top of the ground just above the tunnel opening.

The most common reported termite sighting in North America involves the Subterranean species. Statistics reveal that around $2 billion in Subterranean termite damage is reported in America each year.

Termite Colony Castes (Members)

Termite Queen

The queen is the most important caste of the termite colony. She is responsible for reproducing and enlarging the population of the colony. The queen grows up to 4 inches in length, making her also the largest caste of the termite colony. Like the ant queen, the termite queen is generally extremely heavy, so much so, other members of the colony must transport her from point A to point B. It can take hundreds of worker termites to reposition or relocate the queen to another area.

The colony population expansion relies on the queen’s ability to reproduce. In addition to laying eggs for colony expansion, the queen also produces nymphs and workers to care for the colony. Queen termites have expanded lifespans up to 10 years. Within 10 years, the queen can produce over 30,000 eggs daily when a food supply is readily available.

King Termite

The king termite is the second most important member of the colony. His job is to care for the queen and oversee the forming of the colony. The king continuously mates with the queen to expand the colony population.

Worker Termite

The worker (laborer) termite is responsible for nearly every aspect of the colony. Its responsibilities range from erecting tunnels and nests, carrying for the queen and the young, and foraging for food. Unlike the worker ant, the worker termite is translucent-like in color. Worker ants range from dark red to solid black to reddish/black.

Workers grow up to 10 millimeters in length, which is described by experts as having the appearance of a rice granule. They work around the clock fulfilling their colony duties.

Soldier Termites

Like worker termites, soldier termites are translucent-like in color. Soldiers do not have wings, so they do not have flying capabilities. Their powerful mandibles allow them to fight off predators with ease. Their main priority is to keep the colony safe, by fending off predatory ants trying to get their food supply.

Winged Swarmer Termites

The winged swarmer termite is responsible for reproducing or expanding the colony population. They come in both genders – male and female. Many winged swarmers will mature and leave the colony to breed and build new colonies. They will just fly away one day to start a new colony somewhere else.

Winged swarmers are also referred to as “secondary reproductive” termites, as they are lower in status than the queen and the king.

Most Commonly Reported Termite Sighting In Detroit

More subterranean termite sightings are reported in Detroit than any other species. The Subterranean termite is translucent-like in color with dark brown or black mandibles. The reproductive Subterranean termite is long and slender, measuring up to 0.5 inches in length. They can be found all throughout the United States. The worker Subterranean termite, on the other hand, generally does not grow larger than 3/8 of an inch in length.

Subterranean Termite Behavior

The Subterranean worker termite erects underground tunnels for the colony. The tunnels are generally built-in discrete, damp areas. Mud tubes are utilized to connect the tunnel to nearby food sources to eliminate the need to be exposed to the elements when foraging for food.

The Subterranean termite diet consists of cellulose from rotting wood plants and wood structures, such as downed trees, tree stumps, and yard debris. The diet also contains building materials, such as cardboard paper, insulation, small insects, other termites, seeds and roots from various plants, and fecal matter.

Structural Damage

Termites damage more wood structures than most other insect species put together. The insects utilize their strong mandibles to gnaw through the decaying structures of a building. The more worker termites, the severer the structural damage will be.

How To Differentiate Between The Termite Winged Swarmer And Ant Winged Swarmer?

It is easy to confuse the winged termite swarmer with the winged ant swarmer because they share some of the same physical characteristics. Our exterminators recommend getting as close to the insect as possible without causing it stress. Examine the insect’s wings. If the front and rear wings are of the same length, the insect is most likely a winged swarmer termite. Winged swarmer ants have two sets of wings, one in the front and the other in the rear. Instead of being the same length, the rear wings are significantly shorter than the front wings.

Another difference between the two insects is the waist. The swarmer ant’s waist is segmented (narrow and held together by strong joints) while the swarmer termite’s waist is wide and non-segmented.

What You Need To Know About Termites

• Worker termites work around the clock, caring for the colony, erecting tunnels and nests, and foraging for food
• Termite colonies house up to 500,000 members
• Subterranean termites are required to drink water consistently to avoid dehydration and death
• The ant is the termite’s biggest threaten

Do Termites Spread Disease Or Parasites?

No, termites do not carry disease or parasites. However, the insect is notorious for causing severe structural damage. Vulnerable homes with decaying structures are at the highest risk of termites. These insects utilize their strong mandibles to gnaw through decaying wood structures, such as studs, subfloors, struts, sheathing, window sills, ledgers, bridging, and joists.

If termites are detected around the exterior of your home, a professional inspection is a necessity to determine if there is an infestation. If it is determined your property is infested with termites, the inspector will need to determine the level of severity.

Eradicating Termite Infestations

Unfortunately, it is not easy to eliminate termites. First, you need to know where they’re hiding. Second, you have to take steps to find a viable solution. Some techniques work, but many DIY methods do not. With that being said, it is best to work with a qualified professional. We’re here to help. Contact our office to learn more about our termite removal services today. We’ve been serving your area for many years.

Doing It Yourself?

Some homeowners prefer doing things on their own. We understand this wholeheartedly. However, you should never play games with a termite infestation. Work diligently to find a qualified exterminator in your area. Once you’ve done that, you can take care of the problem without getting into trouble. Contact our office to begin.

How Soon Can You Begin?

Contact our office to schedule an appointment today. We can contact you back within 48 hours.

Our Treatments Are Safe

Our company offers safe techniques for removing termites. We always employ the best and most qualified exterminators to guarantee satisfactory results. Furthermore, we use EPA-registered products. We’re confident that we can protect you and keep you safe every step of the way. Work with us so you can avoid any risks.

Preventing Future Termite Problems

Use the following tips to avoid future termite problems.

• Prevent water from sitting near your home’s foundation. Make sure the gutters and downspouts are working and diverting away from the foundation.
• Take care of humidity problems. Deal with this before it creates problems.
• Never store firewood close to your home.
• Make sure mulch is at least 15 inches away from the home’s foundation. Alternatively, use rubber mulch.
• Check for the signs of termites regularly.
• Contact a professional when you suspect termites have invaded.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.