Termites – The Basics

No one likes termites, even moreso when they’re in your home. The last thing you want to hear is that you have termite damage. Ever year, termites cause billions of dollars in damage and the owners spend over two billion dollars treating them. As always, today we’re going to focus on the basics of these destructive pests.

If you suspect you have termites, the first step is to be on alert for them. They rarely emerge from soil, mud tubes, or food sources where they tunnel. In fact, they’re so reclusive many people don’t even know they’re there until they see a swarm or are doing construction. The best way to avoid this is to inspect the areas in your home by probing exposed wood for hollow spots. Another tricky part of this is that ant swarms and termite swarms look very similar. Luckily, we have two traits for each that will help you identify which is which.

Ants:

• Front wings are longer than the hind wings.
• Antennae are bent at a ninety degree angle.

Termites:

• Their wings are roughly equal in length.
• Antenna are straight, but they may droop.

If you’re still unsure if you have ants or termites, it’s always good to call your local pest control company to check.

In next week’s blog, we’ll discuss prevention and treatments for termites so stick around!

ABBS PC is your hometown pest control, ready to take care of your pest control needs! Call us at 405-582-2114 or visit our website to schedule a free consultation today!