What do termites look like?

Termites are very small, measuring 4 to 15 millimeters in length, though some queens can be larger. Depending on the species they can be brown or black and gray colored.

How do termites behave?

Like ants and bees, termites organize themselves into cooperative colonies. The vast majority of termites are workers, who gather and store food and build and maintain the colony. Another type of termite are the soldiers who defend the colonies from outsiders. The reproductive function of a termite colony is performed by a male and female termite known as the king and queen. They mate for life and live for many years, sometimes decades.

Termites start as eggs that hatch into nymphs. The nymphs go through a process that eventually transforms them into workers. Some of the workers, in turn, become soldiers or alates, the winged versions of termites that perform reproduction and can fly to other locations to form new colonies.

Termites feed on dead plant matter, including leaves and dead trees. They thus play a vital environmental role in recycling dead plant matter. On the downside, termites are also a major source of methane, a greenhouse gas.

Why should you be worried about termites?

According to the University of Kentucky School of Agriculture, Food and the Environment, since termites like to feed on wood, they can become a significant threat to the structural integrity of any building or home. The insects will not only attack wood framing, but drywall, insulation, and any paper, including books, that happens to be lying around. Termites cause billions of dollars of damage every year. The discovery of a termite infestation can affect the value of a home if and when it is discovered.

How can termites be controlled?

Termites control is not a do it yourself; operation. Termite control requires a great deal of specialized knowledge, including an awareness of construction methods and the various points of access that the pests use to enter a house. Treating a house for termites often involves hundreds of gallons of liquid pesticides that are injected around the foundation, beneath the slab, and within the walls of the home being treated.

The bottom line is that termite control is a job for a professional. If you think you have a problem or just want to inspect your home for an infestation, contact Preventive Pest Control – Houston. At 713-983-0869.