Termites are one of the most destructive of insect pests in the Northwest. Feeding on and tunneling into wood to build their colonies, termites can completely destroy a home’s structure from the inside out. The most common species in Washington and Oregon are the dampwood and the subterranean termites.
Identification
Dampwood Termites
- Color: Soldiers have cream-colored body with reddish brown to blackish head; workers are brownish in color.
- Size: Very large, ranging from 1/2-inch to over an inch in length
- Feed on: Wood and wood products.
- Nests: Tunnel through wet, decayed or damaged wood. In homes, most often found in wood damaged by leaky pipes, damaged gutters, poor ventilation, or other areas of excessive moisture. Colonies will also expand into dry wood as populations grow.
- Identifying Characteristics: The large size distinguishes the dampwood termite. Dampwood termites infest wood with a high moisture content.
Subterranean Termites
- Color: Translucent to creamy brown; soldiers have very large heads and black mandibles, winged swarmers are dark brown to brownish black with brownish gray wings.
- Size: Small – 1/8 to 3/8 inch in length; winged swarmers can be up to one inch long.
- Feed on: Wood and wood products.
- Nests: Live in underground colonies; build “mud tubes” up sides of the home or through cracks in foundations to get access to wood.
- Identifying Characteristics: Tapping sounds when disturbed, underground nests and “mud” tubes.
Termites vs. Ants
Termites can be distinguished from ants by their:
- Straight bead-like antennae
- Lack of a defined “waist”
- Equal-length front and back wings.
Termites: The Problem
- Because termites literally feed on the wood they colonize, they will eat homes and structures from the inside out, causing severe damage if not identified and eliminated in time.
- In the spring, termite reproductives swarm, flying from their colonies to breed and start new colonies.
- Subterranean termite colonies are underground. Because they obtain moisture from the soil, they will attack and feed on sound wood as well as damp or damaged wood.
- Subterranean termites will build mud tubes up to and through homes in search of wood.
- Dampwood termite colonies will also expand into sound wood if populations get high.
Pioneer Pest Management
Termite inspection and prompt identification and action are essential because each species requires different control methods to ensure the colony is completely eradicated and your home secured.
To protect your family, home, or business:
- We first communicate with you and inspect the property to determine where the termites are and accurately identify the species.
- Depending on the species, we will implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies and/or make recommendations to reduce or eliminate populations and control infestations.
- Along with treatment of existing homes, we provide pre-construction treatment for subterranean termites to prevent their entry into newly built homes and buildings.
- We will also recommend actions you can take to help prevent termite attraction, means of entry, and future invasion.
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