Can i see termites

Most people are not aware they have termites until they see a swarm or come across damage during construction. Some of the ways to discover if you have termites are listed below:. The most common form of termite in most of the United States is the native subterranean termite.

Other, less common, types of termites include the smaller drywood termite and the invasive Formosan termite. During construction, use a concrete foundation and leave a ventilation space between the soil and wood. Cover exposed wood surfaces with a sealant or metal barrier. Because these methods do not involve the application of an insecticide, EPA does not regulate them. Before a company can sell or distribute any pesticide in the United States, other than certain minimum risk pesticides , EPA must review studies on the pesticide to determine that it will not pose unreasonable risks to human health or the environment.

Once we have made that determination, we will license or register that pesticide for use in strict accordance with label directions. The pesticides used for the prevention or treatment of termite infestations are called termiticides and must demonstrate the ability to provide structural protection before we register them. In most cases, termiticide application can only be properly performed by a trained pest management professional. The most common technique for treating termite infestations is the soil-applied barrier treatment.

Termiticides used for barrier treatments must be specifically labeled for that use. If conducted improperly, these treatments can cause contamination of the home and surrounding drinking water wells and will not protect against termites. Article Summary. Part 1. Catch an insect if possible. Termites look similar to ants and need to be inspected closely to differentiate. If possible, trap one of the bugs in question for examination and look at it under a magnifying glass or something similar.

You can pick up a termite by gently clasping it between your thumb and forefinger. Place the termite in something like a mason jar to examine it. You can still examine a dead termite, but it may be easier to observe a live one.

Pick up the bug carefully to avoid killing it. Look at the wings and antennae. Termites have distinctly different wings and antennae than ants. One way to tell you're dealing with a termite and not an ant is to carefully examine the bug's wings and antennae.

All 4 wings are the same size as a termite's body, while ants' wings are different sizes. Termites have 2 straight antennae. Ants' antennae are somewhat curved. Be aware of the different types of termites. Termites have 3 different types: winged termites, worker termites, and soldier termites.

If you see different types of bugs around your house, you may be looking at different types of termites. Winged termites are dark brown or black. These are the termites you are likely to see and inspect. Worker termites do not have wings, but still have the same antennae. They are white in appearance and sometimes translucent. Soldier termites do not have wings and are brownish in colors. They have pincers near their heads, as well as antennae. Note the size of the insect.

You do not necessarily need to measure a termite and doing so may be difficult. However, try to note the rough size. Part 2. Look at changes in your home. Termites can cause damage to your home. In the event of an infestation, you may notice signs of damage.

Your wood may sound hollow when you tap or knock against it. You may also notice your floors and ceilings are sagging. Listen for termite noises. You can often hear an infestation before you see it.

Soldier termites sometimes tap their heads inside your walls. Watch out for droppings. Termite droppings are another sign your home is infested. Droppings look like tiny pellets and may show up near walls or other places termites congregate.

If you notice pellets piling up in your home, this is a sign of an infestation. Look for mud tubes on walls. Termites often build tubes of mud and dirt against walls. These are to protect termites from predators and sunlight. Unusual tubes of mud running against walls in your home, often found outdoors, are a sign of termites.

The structures look clay-like and dark brown. Part 3. Select a pest control company carefully. Look for mud tubes along cracks, beneath flooring, around baseboards, on pipes, piers, chimneys, behind siding, plumbing and other fixtures. Mud tubes may also extend over concrete foundations and other exposed surfaces. Another way to check for termites is to tap wood along the walls, baseboards and windowsills every few inches with a screwdriver handle. If the area is active, you may see worker termites inside.

Dark areas or blisters in wood flooring are an indicator of a subterranean termite infestation. Because subterranean termites are preventable, it is a good idea to have your property regularly inspected by a trained specialist.

In fact, termites damage more homes than fires, floods and tornadoes. More than 4 million homes in the United States are at risk of infestation this year. Winged termites have pigmented bodies with broad waists and two pair of wings that are equal in size and shape. Subterranean termite swarmers have bodies about one-quarter of an inch in length. The swarmers quickly shed their wings after a brief flight. Winged ants have pinched waists and two pair of wings that differ in size and shape front pair is much larger.

Flying ants shed their wings like termites. Termite wings are all the same size. Collect a few and call Terminix to have them identified if you want to be sure. Termite workers are pale, soft-bodied insects about one-quarter of an inch or less in length. They appear to have a head and body because their thorax is broadly joined to their abdomen. Their antennae are straight. Termites are mistakenly called white ants, but are not ant-like in appearance.

Ants are usually heavily pigmented and have three distinct body regions: head, thorax and abdomen. Winged termites, also known as swarmers, have pigmented bodies with broad waists and two pair of wings that are equal in size and shape. Winged ants, on the other hand, have pinched waists and two pair of wings that differ in size and shape front are much larger.

Drywood termites produce small bun-shaped excrement. This often accumulates on surfaces directly below infested areas. Swarmers might also be observed.

The adult reproductives swarm to start new infestations in other areas of the structure. This usually occurs between early summer and late fall depending on where you live.

Mud tunnels are one of the top indicators of subterranean termite activity. Contact your local Terminix branch as soon as possible. Yes, termites really eat wood.

In nature, termites play a useful role helping wood be recycled to the soil as humus, an organic material that provides nutrients for plants and increases the ability of soil to retain water. Using bacteria, protozoa and microbes that live inside their stomachs, termites are able to digest cellulose, the main constituent of wood. They are extremely well organized and persistent in their search for new food sources.

Contrary to what one might think, they will eat anything containing cellulose — wallpaper, books, boxes, carpet backing, drywall and even furniture. Openings this size or bigger often occur where two pieces of concrete abut — like when poured separately — and around plumbing penetrations through the concrete or where the concrete has cracked. A worker termite may live from one to two years.