Termite identification

Termites are very small and similar in size to ants, which often leads to confusion. Owing to their secretive nature, they can be hard to detect, especially with an untrained eye. You are far more likely to spot the signs of termite damage before you spot termites themselves.

There are also several different types of termites, which can make figuring out which control method to use challenging. Particularly for termites, correct identification ensures the use of the most effective termite control methods and allows you to choose the most appropriate prevention steps to try and avoid problems in the future.
 
Need help identifying termites? Call Ehrlich today at 800-837-5520 for advice and to schedule a FREE termite inspection of your home or business.

Identifying different types of termite species

All types of termites can cause damage to your home, but knowing a bit more about the different species of termites can help identify them more easily. Depending on where you are in the United States can also determine the types of termites you are seeing. Here are some of the most common termite species found in the United States:

• Subterranean termites
• Drywood termites
• Dampwood termites
• Formosan termites

Subterranean termites

Drywood termites

Dampwood termites

Formosan termites

Termite castes

Termite larvae are very small and white in color. The larvae, or “immatures,” are nurtured by other termites until they've grown into a role in the colony. Their presence indicates that there is an active colony growing.

Termite larvae eventually grow into one of three roles in a colony: reproductives, soldiers, or workers. Through a molting process, the larvae will develop into reproductives, which includes termite queens, soldiers or workers depending on the colony’s needs. They send a pheromone throughout the colony to find out which roles are needed and can actually reverse their molting process if they need to take on a different role.

Alates

Often confused for moths or flying ants, flying termites (alates) can commonly be found swarming around window sills or exterior lighting because they are attracted to light. The presence of these insects indoors signifies that a building is likely infested. Eventually, these insects will turn into the queens and kings of new colonies.

Workers

The workers make up the largest number within a colony. They do most of the work (other than defend and reproduce), consequently causing the destruction that affects so many homes.

Soldiers

Soldiers are the next biggest caste within a colony. They have enlarged heads and jaws, and are equipped with sticky fluids or chemical spray for defense.

Queen

Starting out life as an alate, she leaves her parents' colony, sheds her wings, and seeks out an environment to nest. 

The termite queen looks like a small termite body with a large egg producing chamber. Her skin elongates and becomes translucent, revealing the churning liquid and eggs beneath the skin. 

The distended egg chamber makes it impossible for the termite queen to move so the entire termite nest is built around her. The queen provides nutrients for her offspring, and the workers take care of the eggs.

Termite eggs

Termite swarmers vs. flying ants

Termite swarmers are often confused with flying ants. The difference between these two pests will greatly impact the type of service needed to control them in your property. Often a suspected problem with termites, turns out to be a problem with carpenter ants or fire ants, because they look so similar.

Here’s how to establish the general differences in appearance and behavior between ants and termites:

• Waist - Termites have a straight waist, while ants have a pinched waist.
• Antennae - Termites have straight antennae while ants have bent antennae.
• Wing Length - Termites wings are the same length while ants have wings of different length.
• Discarded wings - Flying ants do not shed their wings, but termite swarmers do.

Identifying termites from their damage

In some cases, it may be possible to identify termites by the damage they cause.
 
Subterranean termites begin their feeding process from the ground up and typically enter a building through the sub-structure. Homes with crawl spaces are at great risk. It is here you should look for evidence of damaged wood and mud tubes. Wood damaged by this particular species develops “galleries” (hollow tunnels), which run along the grain of the wood.

Drywood termites typically enter structures near the roof line or other exposed wood to begin building a colony. Inspect your attic for evidence of damaged wood. Look for tiny holes in the wood with evidence of frass collecting nearby. Probing the wood can also expose galleries as well. 

For more certain identification, your Ehrlich Technician can confirm the invading termite species by visually inspecting the termites themselves. Call us today at 800-837-5520 or contact us online to arrange a FREE termite inspection for your home or business.