Termites are a huge threat for homeowners, and termite control can be difficult. These small insects can cause major damage to the wooden structures of your home and have also been known to eat books, furniture, cotton, or the roots of shrubs and trees. Termites eat constantly, which means the damage can pile up very fast. It’s important to learn the signs of termites in your home so you can halt the damage quickly.
Hand pointing at termites destroying wood.
Do You Need Termite Control Help?
Termites are small insects, and are usually white, tan, or black. The Eastern Subterranean termite is the most common termite in the Kansas City area, and as the name suggests, they live mostly underground. It may take a few years before you see the signs, so by the time you notice, professional termite control may be necessary.
These termites will build dirt-colored tubes to go from the colony to their food source (your home) so that’s one thing to keep an eye out for, as well as the tracks they leave in the wood they consume. Any signs of structural damage to wood could require termite control.
You may also spot small translucent wings that are shed during termites’ spring swarming. When termites swarm, it means members of a well-established termite colony are dispersing and forming their own colonies. Seeing a swarm can be the first warning that you have a major infestation. Also, those new termites might not be flying away when they swarm. Eastern Subterranean termites often form several termite colonies in one building, expanding the problem.
The Difference Between Ants and Termites
Ants are another insect that swarms, and it’s easy to mistake them for each other. According to the EPA, if you can get an up-close look, there are a few key ways to tell the difference. Ants have longer front wings than back wings, while in termites both sets of wings are around the same length. Ants also have bent antennae, while termites’ antennae are straight.