Some homeowners get a clue that they have termites if they notice some woodwork with eaten up sections.Cellulose or wood-based products including paper are the main subsistence for these insects. So what do termites look like?What Do Termites Look Like?The answer generally depends on the species and type of termite. They are larger than workers but just like workers, they have straight, whitish bodies. Aside from eaten up wood, you should also look for mud tunnels or tubes that may stick on some wooden parts of your house. Some tunnels may also rise up from the ground. You would have a better chance though of answering the question what do termites look like if you study the features of the different colony members. This is because termites can strike almost anywhere and when they do, they are difficult to get rid of and can cause damage to property. Swarmers usually separate from the colonies from which they were born and look for other places with which to establish new colonies. This is because they are the ones who forage for food for everyone else, groom the other members of the community, care for the eggs and build tunnels. Termite soldiers are the defenders of the colony and may be seen when tunnels or wood areas are exposed. There are more than 2000 species of termites and there are two major types, dry wood and ground or subterranean termites.Mud TubesIf you find it hard to identify and answer what do termites look like, consider relying on the evidence of the termite's presence in your home instead. They therefore resemble grains of rice with legs. Termites however share some similar features that differentiate them from other insects like ants. Since they do most of the dirty work, they are the ones easily spotted by humans when wood or mud tunnels are broken off. For some though, termite identification does not come easily.Swarmers or ReproductivesSwarmers or reproductives are easy to identify because they have four wings that are of the same size and are longer than their bodies. They have large light orange heads that carry sturdy pinchers for crushing..If you are to prevent termite infestation, then getting answers to the question of what do termites look like should be the concern of every home owner. Unless you identify them and have them properly and expertly exterminated, they will keep on eating your wood and furniture.Your primary concern should be ground or subterranean termites because they are the ones that may live underground and move through mud tubes to your home. Ground termites can have anywhere from thousands to millions of members. These swarmers eventually grow to become new queens and kings. Unlike workers however, they have darker colored bodies. However, they are also usually quite numerous.WorkersThe lowest level in the hierarchy are the worker termites. They are creamy white in color with straight antennae and bodies.SoldiersSoldier termites is another type of termite that looks different from the first two. Some species have holes on their foreheads from which.
Friday, March 28, 2008
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