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What You Should Know About Termites
Termites are generally sociable, so they’re going to live together and work together. The termite colony on your property contains thousands of termites that are working together to find food, build tunnels, and start new colonies elsewhere. Without cellulose, termites would not be able to survive. Thankfully for termites, cellulose is found in an assortment of products, including lumber, cardboard, furniture, and plants. As a result, termites are going to approach your home so they can eat the lumber supporting your home.
When you have a termite infestation on your property, you’ll likely notice termite mounds. These mounds are built when termites run out of space in their conventional tunnels. If the colony has outgrown its underground tunnel, the termites will build and use mounds to expand. In addition to this, some termites will burrow into the nearby to guarantee that they survive. Termites also construct mud tubes to access wood material nearby.
Although the United States is home to other species, Subterranean termites are the most destructive. In general, they cause 95% of the damage caused to American structures each year.
Classes In A Termite Colony
If you have a termite colony on your property, that colony will have several termite classes. They’ll be explored in greater depth below.
Queen
The queen termite one of the primary reproductive termites in the colony. A termite colony can only have one queen. She will measure up to 4 inches in length, so she’ll have a tough time moving through the tunnels. Instead, she is going to need assistance from termite workers to move around. Hundreds of termites will need to push her around. During the early days of the colony, the queen will work with the king to produce enough soldiers and workers to help the colony thrive. During a 24-hour period, a queen termite can lay as many as 30,000 eggs.
King
The king is primarily there to help the queen termite. They work together to reproduce and create more workers and soldiers. The king will spend his entire life helping the queen termite reproduce and expand the colony.
Workers
Worker termites have soft bodies that are roughly 10mm in length. Many agree that they look like a piece of rice. They’re light with no wings. Worker termites are the most important members of the colony because they’re constantly working. They work around the clock to feed other termites, groom members of the colony, search for food, and so much more.
Soldiers
Soldier termites look like worker termites, but they have longer heads and more powerful jaws. Soldier termites help protect the colony against predators. Although they will fight against other predators, their primary enemy is ants.
Swarmers
Finally, the colony is going to provide swarmer termites in spring. These termites will attempt to expand the termite colony to new areas. For instance, they’re going to fly across your property and build new colonies in other areas. There are male and female swarmer termites. In addition to this, they develop wings so they can fly far away from the colony.
A termite colony only has one king and one female. However, it can have many swarmer termites.
Primary Termites In Toronto
Ultimately, Toronto is home to several termite species. However, the most common termite species in your area is the Subterranean termite. These termites are common found in the United States and Canada.
More About Subterranean Termites
You’ll find that Subterranean termites live in colonies with classifications such as workers, soldiers, and swarmers. The appearance of the Subterranean termite depends on its class. Workers and soldiers tend to be less than 3/8th of an inch but there are some differences between them. Worker termites have longer heads and stronger jaws so they can defend the colony from dangerous invaders. As for reproductive termites, they can grow up to half an inch in length.
Activities
What are Subterranean termites going to do once they invade your property? Well, they primarily live in underground colonies, but some can live above ground. When necessary, they will build mud tubes to access food sources safely. These termites consume cellulose. As a result, they’re going to eat any materials that contain cellulose and this includes wood, cardboard, and plant. During the spring months, these termites will produce swarmers in hopes of building new colonies elsewhere.
Concerns
Are there any concerns associated with termites? There are. You have to understand that termites are going to destroy your property. If you don’t fix the problem rapidly, they’ll quickly damage your home. They chew small fragments of wood from your property and eat them. Again, you need to get rid of them immediately or they will destroy your property.
Flying Termites And Flying Ants
You may find that flying ants and flying termites look the same, but they’re much different. There are several things that set them apart from one another.
Wing Differences – One thing to note is that flying ants have more durable wings than flying termites. However, flying termites wings are the same size. Flying ants have wings of different sizes.
Waist – If you’re trying to determine the species, you’ll want to look for a pinched waist. If you find a pinched waist, you’re dealing with flying ants.
Antennas – Flying ants have elbowed antennas, but flying termites have straight antennas.
Things To Know About Termites
- Termites never stop consuming cellulose. They’ll continue destroying your home 24 hours a day.
- The termite colony on your property can survive for more than 70 years.
- Although termites are problematic for homeowners, they’re helpful to the environment because they get rid of deadwood.
- Most termites need constant access to water. If they can’t access water, they’ll dry out and die.
- Termites can live above around in mud tunnels as long as they’re moist.
- Ants often attack termite colonies. Termite soldiers have to defend the colony from ant invaders.
- You can eliminate an entire termite colony.
- The world has more than 2,000 known termite species.
- Roughly 40 termite species are found in the United States with most of them being found in the southeast.
- Subterranean termites can be found across Canada and the United States.
- Worker termites have to feed other members of the termite colony.
- A termite queen can live more than 20 years.
How Dangerous Are Termites?
You’re likely worried about the risks associated with termites. How dangerous are they? Ultimately, termites are indeed very dangerous. However, they’re not dangerous to humans because they don’t bite or spread diseases. Instead, they’re going to destroy your property. They can cause immense damage to any structure, so the problem cannot be ignored. If you have termites on your property, contact an exterminator to remedy the problem soon.
Eliminating Termites From Your Home
It is pertinent to eliminate a termite colony from your property as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the infestation is going to worsen. If you need assistance dealing with the colony on your property, you need to contact us. We offer high-quality exterminators. We can remove the colony from your property quickly and safely. We only use safe solutions to guarantee that you and your loved ones are going to be protected every step of the way. Our company offers services in Toronto and nearby cities. Contact us today to learn more about our termite services.
Can I Eliminate A Termite Colony Myself?
You might be able to eliminate a termite colony on your own. However, this likely isn’t going to happen. Instead, you’ll need to work with a professional to quickly rectify the problem. Termites are difficult to find and eliminate. As a result, you likely won’t be able to fix the issue on your own. Instead, you’ll need to work with us. We offer reliable termite pest control services. If you don’t use these chemicals safely, you’re going to get yourself into trouble. Work with us so you don’t have to worry about these risks.
When Can You Begin?
Contact us to begin removing the termites from your home right now. We’re ready to begin working hard for you and can respond in 24 to 48 hours
Is Your Termite Treatment Safe?
Our company would never use dangerous products to eliminate your termite infestation. We only use EPA-registered products so we know that our termites are going to be safe and effective. When you work with us, you can guarantee that you and your loved ones are going to be protected every step of the way. We’ll work diligently to keep you safe from point A to point B. With our services, you’ll know that your bedbugs are going to be eliminated before you know it.
Preventing Future Termite Infestations
- Our company recommends keeping water away from your home’s foundation. Make sure that your downspouts and gutters are working properly.
- Take steps to reduce humidity around your home. Pay close attention to your attic, crawlspace, and basement.
- Never store firewood close to your home.
- Keep mulch a good distance away from your home.
- Check your foundation regularly for signs of potential termite infestation.
- Contact our office when you find bubbling paint near your foundation because it could be termites.
- Contact us when you find termites near your home.
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