Termites have straight antennae very different from the elbowed antennae of carpenter ants.
Massive termite colony on wall under paneling.
Unlike some other insects and animals they live in organized colonies.
Even subterranean termites can live and maintain a colony within walls without going back into the ground.
This document discusses alternatives for termite protection including reducing the attractiveness of the structure to termites get wood away from the building fix leaks use of 16 grit sand diameter 0 06 0 1 in as a termite barrier 18 wide x 3 deep in crawl areas or stainless steel mesh for the same purpose under foundations and slabs.
Because termites usually are hidden from view it s easiest to determine the type of infestation by examining the winged version of the insect.
Walls can draw these dangerous vermin in case the walls are in direct contact with the soil.
Use the hammer and pry bar to carefully open the wooden exterior board of an inconspicuous part.
Mud tubes paint blisters damage to wood paneling or wooden trim hollow sounding wood and pinholes in the wall.
There is only one queen in a colony.
You may be really surprised with their sociability.
I treated a house which had that very problem in 2003.
Signs of termite damage in walls.
The termite colony size can be different starting from only two insects a king and a queen to more than a million creatures.
To inspect interior wood paneling you might have to remove a board or panel.
When a termite colony gets large enough winged reproductive termites will emerge to create a new colony.
Termites are very interesting insects.
A fourth type the dampwood termite poses less of a threat.
You remember from history lessons that there are some castes in india.
All states except alaska.
However it s important to note that even when the colony isn t in the house termites may still be getting into your home through the mud tunnels they build.
If there is a water leak or water sprinklers that keep an area wet within the walls and the wood never dries the colony can maintain and will expand within that structure.
Their colonies are small and they only nest in wet wood.
Some of the signs above indicate a subterranean termite infestation while others indicate a drywood termite infestation.
You may find live termites in the interior wood paneling.
Signs of wall damage caused by termites can include.
Winged termites easy ways to tell the difference the queen.
It is a female termite whose major role in a colony is to lay eggs.
A colony that s gotten inside the house may be revealed by swarms that exit through crevices or gaps in the house walls or paneling.
Of the dozens of termite species in the u s the three shown below do the most harm.
The queen is the largest termite in a colony with a length ranging from 60cm to 80 cm.
Eliminate the source of the dampness and the colony dies.
