Termite Identification

Termite or Ant?

This image shows the difference between a winged termite and a winged ant. Ants and termites are often seen with wings during the swarming season, when colonies send out “swarmers” to find locations for new colonies.

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean Termites infest homes from the soil, building shelter tubes along foundations. Subs take cellulose from the wood in your home and convert it to nutrition. Once they are established the problem only gets worse. Treatments for Subterranean and Formosan Termites involve trenching and treating the soil around your home as well as any slab penetrations that may be possible entry points. When Treating for these Termites, Elite Exterminating only utilizes the worlds #1 Termiticide, TERMIDOR.

Subterranean Termites are very social insects, constantly grooming and feeding  each other through a process called Trophallaxis. Termidor uses this biological characteristic against the termites with a method known as “The Transfer Effect”. Termidor binds tightly to the soil to create the “Termidor Zone”. Since Termidor is non-repellent and undetectable to the termites they readily contact and ingest the treated soil. When a termite comes into contact with Termidor it becomes a “carrier” transferring Termidor to other Termites it contacts and creating “secondary carriers”. This process is repeated, spreading like a virus throughout the colony.

If you suspect you may have Termites or would just like a complimentary inspection don’t hesitate, contact Elite today.

Drywood Termites

Unlike the Subs, Drywood Termites do not require contact with the soil. They actually live and eat inside the wood. These Termites are usually identified from their fecal deposits. It is usually very difficult to do spot applications for Drywood Termite Infestations because of the nature in which they reproduce and swarm. Even with the most thorough of localized treatments it is still almost impossible to honestly say you’ve taken care of the termites throughout the entire structure. The only 100% effective way to eliminate Drywood Termites throughout an entire structure is with a Full Tent Fumigation.

Termite Damage