There are more than 2000 species of termites globally, with over 40 species in the United States. They measure between 0.25 to 0.5 inches long, although the queens and kings measure up to an inch in length. They have soft bodies with straight antennae.
Their colors range from white to light brown, with worker termites appearing lighter and the swarming ones darker. Flying termites/reproductives have two pairs of prominent wings. but they are different from ants
Termites do invade, build nests, and damage homes and properties. They are called “silent destroyers” as they hide and damage wood, flooring, and wallpaper undetected. In addition, all the termites consume cellulose-based plant materials.
Not all types of termites are destructive at home. However, if you suspect that termites have invaded your home, you should hire a termite control professional.
Types of Termites Species
There are different types of termites found in the U.S.A., as shown below.
Subterranean Termites
There are seven species of subterranean termites present in the U.S.
- Eastern subterranean termite (the most common)
- Formosan subterranean termite (not native to the U.S.)
- Dark southeastern subterranean termite
- Light southeastern subterranean termite
- Western subterranean termite
- Arid land subterranean termite
- Desert subterranean termite
The subterranean termite is by far the most destructive and most widespread in the U.S. They live in underground colonies, in contact with the soil in nearly all states of the U.S.A, including Texas, except Alaska. They build mud tubes for safe passage to protect themselves from open air when looking for food sources. The secondary colony may live above the ground if a moisture source is available.
The subterranean termites can pass in a 1/32 inch passage to enter your property. They feed non-stop on softwoods like springwood, newspapers, cardboard, drywall, and many more. A tiny crack in your foundation can result in significant damage due to the extensive nature of termite colonies. If you find mud tubes or blistering on the property, you should be well informed that the subterranean termites have infested your property.
Drywood Termites
There are three species of dry wood termites present in the United States.
- Southeastern drywood termites
- West Indian dry wood termites
- Western dry wood termite, also known as the desert dry wood termite
The dry wood termites are mostly found in the Southwest of the United States and Northwest Mexico. They feed on wood with a moisture content of 12% or less. Unlike other termites, they don’t rely on soil moisture.
Their swarming occurs on warm and sunny days after a sudden temperature increase. They are homebodies; they set up houses within the wood. The warmers gnaw a small tunnel which is later closed and excavate a chamber. Then mate.
Unlike other termites, dry wood termites establish their nests on roof materials and structures like wooden support beams, furniture, and hardwood floor, smoothening the tunneled wood. When hatched, the immature and the nymphs work as the worker termites as the species have no worker termite category.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites are commonly found on the western coast of the United States and in the desert/semi-arid southwest. As the name suggests, they live in woods with high moisture content. When the damp wood termites swarm, the swarmers excavate a chamber in the structural wood, enter, and seal it off. They then mate inside the chamber, lay eggs, and hatch—the immature work as the workers.
Dampwood termites usually infest woods with high moisture content. They rarely enter the house since materials used for building are generally hardwood. The damp wood termites feed on utility poles and tree stumps. The damp wood termites do not burrow underground because they don’t need contact with the wet ground.
Formosan Termites
The Formosan termites are initially from China but are commonly found in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Formosan termites are one of the most aggressive and destructive types of termites. They destroy wood by boring tunnels through walls to connect to their food sources. One colony can contain 350,000 workers and can eat one ounce in a single day.
Formosan termite prefers mild climates like the one found in the southern U.S. or Hawaii, and they can survive without accessing soil.
These termites can be difficult to control when they infest a structure; hence, prevention is essential.
Conehead Termites
The conehead termite is native to the Caribbean. They were introduced to the United States in 2001. They do not rely on underground tunnels to travel, but instead, they forage on the ground like ants, spreading fast. They are aggressive and can cause significant property damage in a short while.
Signs of Termite Damage
When you identify the following signs, termites are most likely to have damaged your property.
- Mud tubes on the exterior of the home
- Damaged wood and structural timbers
- Softwood in the house that sounds hollow when tapped
- Darkening or blistering of wood structures
- Uneven or bubbling paint
- Small piles of feces that resemble sawdust near a termite nest
- Discarded wings near doors or on windowsills indicating swarmers have entered the home
Worst Termite Species in the U.S
Formosan termite, a type of subterranean termites, is the worst termite in the United States. Formosan termite colonies can finish two ounces of wood in a single day. A colony can have up to 400,000 termites which can cover massive areas.
Biotherm Green Solution
Biotherm Green Solution is a pest control company dealing in bed bugs and dry wood termite pest treatment and detection in Florida, U.S.A. Biotherm green solution is locally owned and operated and offers effective residential and home solutions for pest infestations. The company takes pride in the experience, extensive research and offering the best termites remediation products. If you discover a termite infestation in your home or business environment, call us on (800) 280-5698.
How Much Does it Cost to Treat Termites?
The cost for termite treatment depends on your location, the size of the infested home, types of termites invaded, and your home’s construction type. Termites cause about $5 billion of damage in the United States. The average cost for its treatment is around $9,000
Conclusion
Some termite species can be more harmful than others though they both pose a threat to your property. Formosan termites pose the greatest danger to homes. Therefore, homeowners must know how to identify them, their infestation inspection, and most importantly, the pest control preventive measures that should be taken. Contact Biotherm Green Solutions pest control specialist company (800) 280-5698 to get pest control services.
There are more than 2000 species of termites globally, with over 40 species in the United States. They measure between 0.25 to 0.5 inches long, although the queens and kings measure up to an inch in length. They have soft bodies with straight antennae.
Their colors range from white to light brown, with worker termites appearing lighter and the swarming ones darker. Flying termites/reproductives have two pairs of prominent wings. but they are different from ants
Termites do invade, build nests, and damage homes and properties. They are called “silent destroyers” as they hide and damage wood, flooring, and wallpaper undetected. In addition, all the termites consume cellulose-based plant materials.
Not all types of termites are destructive at home. However, if you suspect that termites have invaded your home, you should hire a termite control professional.
Types of Termites Species
There are different types of termites found in the U.S.A., as shown below.
Subterranean Termites
There are seven species of subterranean termites present in the U.S.
- Eastern subterranean termite (the most common)
- Formosan subterranean termite (not native to the U.S.)
- Dark southeastern subterranean termite
- Light southeastern subterranean termite
- Western subterranean termite
- Arid land subterranean termite
- Desert subterranean termite
The subterranean termite is by far the most destructive and most widespread in the U.S. They live in underground colonies, in contact with the soil in nearly all states of the U.S.A, including Texas, except Alaska. They build mud tubes for safe passage to protect themselves from open air when looking for food sources. The secondary colony may live above the ground if a moisture source is available.
The subterranean termites can pass in a 1/32 inch passage to enter your property. They feed non-stop on softwoods like springwood, newspapers, cardboard, drywall, and many more. A tiny crack in your foundation can result in significant damage due to the extensive nature of termite colonies. If you find mud tubes or blistering on the property, you should be well informed that the subterranean termites have infested your property.
Drywood Termites
There are three species of dry wood termites present in the United States.
- Southeastern drywood termites
- West Indian dry wood termites
- Western dry wood termite, also known as the desert dry wood termite
The dry wood termites are mostly found in the Southwest of the United States and Northwest Mexico. They feed on wood with a moisture content of 12% or less. Unlike other termites, they don’t rely on soil moisture.
Their swarming occurs on warm and sunny days after a sudden temperature increase. They are homebodies; they set up houses within the wood. The warmers gnaw a small tunnel which is later closed and excavate a chamber. Then mate.
Unlike other termites, dry wood termites establish their nests on roof materials and structures like wooden support beams, furniture, and hardwood floor, smoothening the tunneled wood. When hatched, the immature and the nymphs work as the worker termites as the species have no worker termite category.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites are commonly found on the western coast of the United States and in the desert/semi-arid southwest. As the name suggests, they live in woods with high moisture content. When the damp wood termites swarm, the swarmers excavate a chamber in the structural wood, enter, and seal it off. They then mate inside the chamber, lay eggs, and hatch—the immature work as the workers.
Dampwood termites usually infest woods with high moisture content. They rarely enter the house since materials used for building are generally hardwood. The damp wood termites feed on utility poles and tree stumps. The damp wood termites do not burrow underground because they don’t need contact with the wet ground.
Formosan Termites
The Formosan termites are initially from China but are commonly found in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Formosan termites are one of the most aggressive and destructive types of termites. They destroy wood by boring tunnels through walls to connect to their food sources. One colony can contain 350,000 workers and can eat one ounce in a single day.
Formosan termite prefers mild climates like the one found in the southern U.S. or Hawaii, and they can survive without accessing soil.
These termites can be difficult to control when they infest a structure; hence, prevention is essential.
Conehead Termites
The conehead termite is native to the Caribbean. They were introduced to the United States in 2001. They do not rely on underground tunnels to travel, but instead, they forage on the ground like ants, spreading fast. They are aggressive and can cause significant property damage in a short while.
Signs of Termite Damage
When you identify the following signs, termites are most likely to have damaged your property.
- Mud tubes on the exterior of the home
- Damaged wood and structural timbers
- Softwood in the house that sounds hollow when tapped
- Darkening or blistering of wood structures
- Uneven or bubbling paint
- Small piles of feces that resemble sawdust near a termite nest
- Discarded wings near doors or on windowsills indicating swarmers have entered the home
Worst Termite Species in the U.S
Formosan termite, a type of subterranean termites, is the worst termite in the United States. Formosan termite colonies can finish two ounces of wood in a single day. A colony can have up to 400,000 termites which can cover massive areas.
Biotherm Green Solution
Biotherm Green Solution is a pest control company dealing in bed bugs and dry wood termite pest treatment and detection in Florida, U.S.A. Biotherm green solution is locally owned and operated and offers effective residential and home solutions for pest infestations. The company takes pride in the experience, extensive research and offering the best termites remediation products. If you discover a termite infestation in your home or business environment, call us on (800) 280-5698.
How Much Does it Cost to Treat Termites?
The cost for termite treatment depends on your location, the size of the infested home, types of termites invaded, and your home’s construction type. Termites cause about $5 billion of damage in the United States. The average cost for its treatment is around $9,000
Conclusion
Some termite species can be more harmful than others though they both pose a threat to your property. Formosan termites pose the greatest danger to homes. Therefore, homeowners must know how to identify them, their infestation inspection, and most importantly, the pest control preventive measures that should be taken. Contact Biotherm Green Solutions pest control specialist company (800) 280-5698 to get pest control services.