Termite Identification
December 9th, 2009 Posted in Wood Damaging Pests
Termites can chew through wood at rapid speeds. They can be a huge nuisance in your home or on your property.
Termite Identification is important because the quicker you identify what species you are dealing with, the quicker you can help manage a termite infestation. There are 4 main types of termites that you need to be aware about.
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Drywood Termites
The drywood termite is the second most common termite in California today. The drywood termite has been around for millions of years. They prefer dry wood, hence their name, especially trees found along rivers and lakes. They have a brown head and a white abdomen. This termite is very difficult to detect, as well as identify the extent of the damage they’ve already done.
The drywood termite doesn’t need contact with the soil to survive, like other species of termites. They often prefer dry conditions and can go for long periods of time without receiving moisture. They tend to target home’s made of timber, furniture, and hardwood floors. This type of termite is most often found in warmer climates.
Subterranean Termites
The subterranean termite lives in the soil deep underground. These termites have a similar appearance to the drywood termite. They too have a white abdomen, but a black head instead of brown. This species prefers to feast on softer wood, leaving honeycomb style holes throughout the wood they eat.
Their colonies contain thousand of workers, much more than the colonies of the drywood termite.The subterranean termites are the first to farm using monoculture techniques. They grow one type of fungus in their underground colonies to help feed their young. This termite is found everywhere in the United States, minus Alaska. They too prefer warmer climates.
Formosan Termites
The Formosan termite is one of the most destructive species of termites in the United States. Thus, the Formosan termite has ravaged many areas throughout the United States, specifically causing billions of dollars of damage in New Orleans. It is the size of the Formosan termite that makes them so devastating.
They are similar in appearance to the subterranean termites, except they are larger and have yellow and brown bodies. If they can’t find a sustainable source of water, this species can create a carton (a nest inside a colony) that retains moisture, until they locate a more viable source of water. Their colonies are even larger than those of the subterranean termite, numbering up to hundred of thousands. This type of termite can be found throughout the southern United States.
Dampwood Termites
The dampwood termite can only survive in wood or surroundings that are extremely moist. However, they don’t require contact with soil like many other species of termites. The whole body of this type of termite is rounder and covered in a yellow tone. The dampwood termite can be found living inside very damp logs, stumps, and trees.
Infestations of structures are rare because they aren’t often moist enough for the dampwood termite to want to live or eat the structure. They will attack structures if there is a water leak, but very rarely are they found in buildings. The dampwood termite is found along the Pacific coast and Southwest region of the United States.
Organic Insecticides
Alongside identifying what type of termite you are dealing with, it is important to follow proper control methods. Use EcoSMART’s organic insecticides to help deal with different species of termites. EcoSMART has developed organic insecticides that only target receptors found in insects. Thus, your family and the environment are safe from hazardous chemicals and further termite infestations.
5 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!
By Anne Martin on Apr 9, 2010
Hi I hope you can help me. I work for the department of social service and recently our office had a problem with termites they seem to be comming through the carpet and are at times swamming as with any ther county problem it takes time to solve the problem but the head of my department was sent an aerosal spray that she says is organic (we are a closed enviroment with no way to air out the place. the bug problem is directly by me and the swaming bugs are only 2 desks away. last week at 15 minutes prior to my leaving my boss sprayed the carpet. that night I threw up on the way home. The next day when these bugs were swamming I was sitting there when they sprayed this in the air. This was a Friday a week ago and that weekend I was very sick I already at 55 have asthma and possible copd. my lungs were not wheezing like with my asthma. they were filled with phelmn and on Saturday I felt like my lungs were paralized and on the out side of my body. sounds strange it was. Now I went to home depot and talked to someone in the spray area first the ecosmart did not look the same as the one my job used the ecosmart also did not say anything about the lungs of the insect or if you have any breathing p roblems you should go to the hospital. listening to your video made me realize there is a difference and both say organic but people are being affected by the other products. Also all products even yours should tell people with breathing problems to not be in a closed area I would think please answer this question. If you have a breathing problem should it be ok to be in a area that someone is spraying this product. Your product talks abougt the nervous system of insects but any areosal can cause an asthmatic to have a attack. My asthmatic son used to have attacks when I fried with soy sauce. I know I am rambling but this is something I hope you can give me some insight on thank you very much.
By EcoSMART Kara on Apr 26, 2010
Thank you so much for your response, Anne. Currently, we are looking into this matter. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
By Michelle Mills on May 20, 2010
While working in the yard there were some litle white bugs flying around. Iwas told they were termites.Also while changing the landscape we lift a rather large rock and there were also termites under it. I didn’t move anything else, that was enough for me. I have a pond on my property which is also populated with fish. Is your product safe enough for the fish. People fish in the pond and I wouldn’t want any one to get sick.
Thanks.
By stephanie Tishler on Dec 6, 2010
I do not know how to treat the borers in the wood around my kitchen window. I see no insect, just a honeycomb structure that has caved in when I touch it. I do not know if these are wood borers or termites. Are they treated the same?
By Samantha on Jun 26, 2011
My boyfriend’s parents are having some pretty serious termite issues. His mom really prefers using organic products whenever possible, so I’ll be sure to tell her about you products!