What do Termites Look Like

Many people have never seen termites and when they do, they often mistake them for flying ants. Another thing homeowners are not usually aware of is the fact that there are four different types of termites in the termite colony: Soldiers, Workers, Reproductives (or Swarmers) and of course the Queen. Each member has a specific duty:

The Reproductives or Swarmers, have one job only and that is to seek out a mate, reproduce and create a new colony. The Reproductives don’t actually do any damage to the structure of a home but, they do indicate that a colony is most likely nearby. If you see them swarming in the home or find the wings they drop, simply vacuum them up. BUT, seek immediate help from a Professional Pest Control Company to begin treatment.

The Soldier’s primary job is to protect the colony, mostly from ants. If you look closely at the Soldier termite, you will see the mandible or horns they use to defend the colony. The Workers of the Subterranean Termite Colony are the real concern for homeowners. These termites will build mud tubes up into the home and do some serious structural damage. They can also enter the home virtually undetected. For this reason, it’s important to do several things to minimize this situation, as you’ll see in the video below. Finally, the Queen; She is the most important member of the subterranean colony, capable of laying 6 or 7 thousand eggs a day.

So, when you ask the question: What Do Termites Look Like? You now have the knowledge to identify which member of the colony you are seeing and peace of mind knowing there is termite protection available to you.

Peninsular Pest Control is a Certified Sentricon® Specialist and one of our highly trained Pest Control Professionals will be glad to provide a free estimate for your home. Sentricon® Always Active Bait Stations do not disrupt the existing landscaping. The original Sentricon® system is the only termite product awarded the EPA’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for superior environmentally responsible chemistry.