Termites

What Are Termites?

No one wants to learn they are dealing with termites. These insects have quickly grown into one of the most feared species in the world. And, this likely has to do with the propensity for damage. These insects are known for destroying structural components that make up a building. However, there are plenty of other things unknown about the termite. If you want to effectively eliminate a termite infestation, there are a handful of other things you need to understand about these creatures.

• Termites are extremely social. Where you see one, you will likely see hundreds, potentially thousands. This is because they commonly work together as a cohesive unit to provide food, water, and shelter to the colony. Their main goal is to help their colony thrive and the members within it so they can go off and develop more colonies. Kind of like an independent civilization.
• It is the cellulose in the wood that attracts termites. While this is abundantly present in food, it can also be found in a handful of other products and materials, even some lifeforms. Some plant species contain cellulose. Lumber, cotton fibers, cardboard, and furniture are just amongst some other items that will contain this material.
• Termite mounds are not colonies. They are the result of a termite colony overdeveloping, getting too big. These creatures initially build their structures underground to be undetected, but when mounds start appearing out of the ground, it means the colony has grown beyond its natural means. Some species of termites bore into wood, rather than burrowing underground. Another telltale sign of a termite infestation is mud tubes. Termites build these structures to gain access to wood materials.
• Out of the many species of termites, it is the Subterranean termite that is the most common in North America. These critters cause 95 percent of the estimated $2 billion that homeowners face every year.

The Queen (Primary Reproductive)

• Measuring 4 inches long, the queen is the largest member of the colony. She is likely also considered the most important member of the colony by many. Her size is so great that if she does need to be moved, it’ll take hundreds of workers working together at once to move her
• The queen’s main responsibility to populate the colony. She’s the reproductive member of the colony that lays eggs. These eggs later develop into nymphs and worker termites. This is why she is considered the most important member of the colony.
• The queen can live for 10 years and throughout those 10 years, she’ll lay as many as 30,000 eggs. (In a single day!)

The King (Primary Reproductive)

• The king’s main responsibility is to assist the queen in creating the colony during its initial formation.
• The king will also continue to mate to help increase the size and growth of the colony

Worker Termites

• The worker termite is soft-bodied, light-colored, doesn’t have any wings, and measures about 10 mm in length. (Thing of a grain of rice, this is the worker termite.
• The worker termite is called a worker for a reason. These termites will work 24/7. They rarely leave the tunnel and are responsible for a wide range of tasks. They are responsible for caring for the eggs, building and maintaining tunnels, foraging for food, as well as feeding and grooming the others of the colony.

Soldier Termite

• If the worker termites are responsible for working, you can imagine that the soldier termites are responsible for soldering. That’s exactly what they’ll do with their white, wingless, and soft bodies.
• These critters have long powerful jaws that they oftentimes use for defense against predators.
• The soldier termite is mainly responsible for defending the colony against invading ants or other potential threats.

Winged Reproductive Termites

• The winged reproductive termites might consist of both male and female termites, but their unique responsibility is to produce offspring for the colony.
• These members also develop wings, unlike the other members. This is what gives them the ability to leave the colony and start new ones.
• Most colonies just have one king and one queen, but many colonies will contain hundreds of secondary reproductive members to help with laying eggs and colony growth.

What Type Of Termites Are In Cincinnati, Ohio?

The Differences Between Flying Ants And Termites

Termites are commonly mistaken for flying ants. And when you look at their similarities, it is easy to understand why this is the case. Many professionals have even mistaken the two as similar insects. That being said, some distinct characteristics set the two apart. The wings are one thing. With the flying ant, the front pair of wings are larger than the back pair and not easily broken off.

With the termite, both wings are the same in size, and can easily be broken off. The flying ant is more narrow with a somewhat pinched abdomen. The flying termite, on the other hand, has a thicker abdomen that is much less defined. The antenna of the flying any is elbowed almost to a 90-degree angle, where the flying termite has a straight and pointy antenna.

Termite Facts

There are many more interesting things about the termite and their colonies. Not only are these facts interesting, but they could be the difference between successful elimination and living with termites. Here’s what you need to know:

• Members within the termite colony feed non-stop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• A termite colony can last anywhere from 50 to 70 years when left undisturbed.
• An average termite colony will consist of nearly 500,000 members.
• Termites can be valuable to the environment, as they help break down fallen wood in forests. They turn it into reusable soil, giving them the reputation as one of the earth’s first recyclers.
• Subterranean termites need water. If they don’t get it, they’ll dry out and die.
• Even above-ground termites need water to maintain their mud tunnels or tubes.
• The main predator of the termite is the ant. Ants can attack at any time and usually do so when the workers or looking for food.

Are Termites Dangerous?

Termites may not bite or transmit diseases to humans and pets, but that does not mean they are 100 percent harmless. Just think of the indirect threat they pose. They could weaken a structure to the point where it is ready to fall and when someone walks in, it falls on them. Wooden columns and beams can completely collapse when chewed to specific points.

How To Successfully Eliminate Termites?

Unfortunately, termite control is not an easy thing. And, this has a lot to do with the fact that they can live as far as 300 feet from your structure. They’ll build and utilize underground shelters to move to and from the nest site. Despite their huge propensity for damage, the termite is a fragile creature. It can easily be overpowered by other predators like ants. Regardless, these insects are still extremely difficult to eradicate. If you do not successfully eliminate the entire colony, you are just asking for a re-infestation. At Kings Pest, we offer the solutions and treatments you need for dealing with termites.

Can You DIY Treat Termites?

You’ll see that there are all kinds of DIY termite treatments and solutions available today on the open market. The Internet is no doubt a great source of this. And while there is a lot of information on the Internet, there is also a lot of misinformation. Misconceptions right around every corner might only put you in worse shape than when you started. This is not the way to approach the situation, especially not when dealing with an insect as destructive as the termite. Pesticides are not only dangerous to humans, animals, and plants, but when used under the wrong circumstances in the wrong situations, they can be just as destructive themselves. Save yourself some time, money, and worries by letting the pros at Kings Pest handle the problem for you.

When Can You Get Here?

At Kings Pest, we stay buy all times of the year. Our Cincinnati, Ohio offices are especially busy, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t more than willing to make time for our customers. Whether you have questions, concerns, or just want a quick estimate, we have professionals standing by ready to accommodate. All it takes is you reaching out and giving our offices a call.

Are Your Treatments Safe?

Termites alone are dangerous enough. No one wants to have to treat the situation with even more threatening and dangerous pesticides. While pesticides designed to eliminate termites are hazardous, our techs are specifically trained and certified in the handling, treatment, and dispensing of these chemicals. We also follow the stringent guidelines laid out by the EPA when dealing with such chemicals. In addition to this, we do have some more eco-friendly options available on the table just for individuals looking to go down this path. Whatever you need or are looking for, we are here to accommodate at Kings Pest. It’s just up to you to give us a call!

How To Protect Your Property From Termites?

• Make sure you are storing all wood and cellulose products at least 20 feet or more away from the house. They’ll also need to be at least 5 inches up off the ground.
• While mulch is a useful gardening and fertilizing tool, it will need to be kept at least 15 inches from the foundation of the structure.
• Every so often checks the foundation of your structure, looking for signs of mud tubes, cracked or bubbling paint, and wood that sounds hollow when tapped. These are all signs of a building infestation.
• If you have the slightest suspicion, you are dealing with a termite infestation, give Kings Pest a call immediately!

We are a locally owned and operated business in Cincinnati. We employ the best pest control talent in the national pest control industry.

Why Hire Us!

• Our pest control company is licensed with the State of Ohio
• We employ professionals from our local communities
• We offer same-day, appointment only, and emergency pest control services
• Our pest control pricing is competitive with our top competitors

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