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The fact is, termites infest more than 600,000 homes each and every year, causing more damage than fires, storms or earthquakes — an estimated $2 billion in the United States alone. How can you make sure your home doesn't become a statistic? By being proactive and establishing an ongoing maintenance program with a professional pest management provider.

The Best Defense Begins by Knowing Your Enemy Termites

Coptotermes, alate Also known as swarmers, these winged Formosan termites are larger than other native subterranean termites. They measure about one half inch and their bodies are pale yellow-brown in color. The wings are also pale in color and are densely covered with tiny hairs. Alates or swarmers participate in a process known as swarming on warm humid evenings in the early spring.This behavior ensures the establishment of new colonies. They are attracted to light during the swarm.

Coptotermes, soldier Formosan soldiers are distinctive in that they have an oval-shaped head rather than an elongated one like other native subterraneans. Formosans are much more aggressive than other native termites. They can be found some 500 feet from the colony. Their sole purpose in life, to defend the colony.

Heterotermes, soldier Heterotermes soldiers have rectangular shaped heads and the soldier's length is one and a half times its width. Soldiers also have mandibles and a fontanelle or frontal gland pore.

Heterotermes, alate Heterotermes alates or swarmers have dark brown bodies, almost black in color and measure approximately three-eighths of an inch which includes their wings. A frontal gland or fontanelle is present but may be inconspicuous. Their wings are translucent yet have two dark veins.

Reticulitermes, alate This swarmer measures three-eighths of an inch, which includes its wings. Their bodies are dark brown and have dark brownish-gray wings with a few visible hairs. The front wings are slightly larger than the hind wings.

Reticulitermes, nymph Nymphs will subsequently transform into workers, soldiers or winged reproductives. Nymphs, along with workers, also tend and care for the young.

Reticulitermes, secondary Secondaries play a critical role in the maintenance and rapid increase of a colony's population and help expand the foraging territory of existing colonies by creating secondary colonies. They vary in appearance, yet are larger than nymphs or workers and are often times darker.

Reticulitermes, soldier These termites are yellowish-brown and have rectangular shaped heads that are wider in the front for defense purposes. The head is equipped with two very large jaws or mandibles. Soldiers also have a fontanelle or frontal gland pore. Their head length is nearly two times their width.

Reticulitermes, worker Workers are blind, sterile and wingless. Yet, they are the most encountered and most destructive. They are soft-bodied, creamy-white in color and have hard, powerful mouth-parts that adapt for chewing. Workers measure one-quarter inch and are responsible for most of the labor of the colony and must care for the young.

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