Frequently Asked Termite Questions
Termites are a big problem in a home. And, if you see termites swarming in your house, then you can be sure they've already been there, eating your home, for quite some time. But how can you tell what types of termites you have, or if they're not really carpenter ants? Is there any way to detect termites before they swarm?
Alabama Professional Services provides these tips for homeowners interested in learning more about termites in their homes. To meet with our experts for a FREE termite control estimate, at no obligation, call or e-mail them today!
Are they ants or termites?
For clues to help distinguish termites from ants, examine the insects' wings, waist and antennae:
- While both insects have two pairs of wings, termite wings are relatively equal in size.
- Ant wings tend to be longer in front and shorter in back.
- Ants also have a narrow, pinched waist. Termites' waists are thicker and less distinct.
- In addition, ants' antennae are elbowed, while termites' are straight.
What are Subterranean Termites?
The most common termite in North America and throughout the Eastern U.S are the Eastern Subterranean ( Reticulitermes):
- Mature colonies may contain from 20,000 to 5 million workers averaging around 300,000.
- Can enter buildings through cracks less than 1/16" wide.
- Feed on cellulose materials including wood and pulp, even roots of shrubs and trees.
Subterranean Termites live in colonies containing specialized members:
A) King and Queen: At least one King and Queen are at the center of every colony
B) Eggs: Queens can lay thousands of eggs every year
C) Nymphs: White in the nymph state, termites diverge into different casts: workers, soldiers, and reproductives.
D) Workers: Workers are blind wingless termites that maintain, build and repair nests and tubes, and forage for food.
E) Soldiers: Their sole function is to defend the colony.
F) Winged Reproductives: These termites will eventually leave the colony as adult swarmers.
When do Termites Swarm?
Termites can swarm at various times throughout the year depending on geographic regions, species of termite and weather conditions:
- Formosan termites, not indigenous to this area, are a notable exception to this rule. They typically swarm in the early evening.
- Most subterranean termites normally swarm in the daytime -- usually midday -- when it is sunny and often, right after
it rains.
What are Some Common Signs of a Termite Infestation?
- Live termites in or around windows and door frames.
- Hollow-sounding walls, baseboards and floors that also reveal visible damage from termite tunneling.
- Mud tunnels, which often disappear into cracks of masonry, in and around doors and window frames or along siding.
- Dead termites or termite wings.
How Can I Reduce the Likelihood of a Termite Infestation in my Home?
- Maintain landscaped areas a few feet away from the foundation of the structure.
- Keep firewood stacked away from the structure.
- Keep crawl spaces and basements clear of wood debris and excess moisture if possible.
- Routinely check in and around the structure for mud tubes, discarded wings and general signs of termite activity.
- If adding a room or deck to the structure, make sure the wood has been "pressure treated" and the construction complies with local building codes.
- Have soil treated or baited with an appropriate termite product by a Pest Control Professional.
- Fix faulty drainage and any plumbing or roof leaks that cause moisture to accumulate.
Call for a FREE termite control estimate today!
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Autaugaville
Billingsley
Booth
Jones
Marbury
Prattville
Baldwin County
Bay Minette
Bon Secour
Daphne
Elberta
Fairhope
Foley
Gulf Shores
Lillian
Little River
Loxley
Magnolia Springs
Montrose
Orange Beach
Perdido
Point Clear
Robertsdale
Seminole
Silverhill
Spanish Fort
Stapleton
Stockton
Summerdale
Barbour County
Clayton
Clio
Eufaula
Louisville
Bibb County
Brent
Brierfield
Centreville
Green Pond
Lawley
Randolph
West Blocton
Woodstock
Blount County
Allgood
Blountsville
Cleveland
Hayden
Locust Fork
Oneonta
Remlap
Bullock County
Fitzpatrick
Midway
Perote
Union Springs
Butler County
Chapman
Forest Home
Georgiana
Greenville
Mc Kenzie
Calhoun County
Alexandria
Anniston
Bynum
Choccolocco
De Armanville
Eastaboga
Jacksonville
Ohatchee
Oxford
Piedmont
Weaver
Wellington
Chambers County
Five Points
Lafayette
Lanett
Valley
Cherokee County
Cedar Bluff
Centre
Gaylesville
Leesburg
Spring Garden
Chilton County
Clanton
Jemison
Maplesville
Stanton
Thorsby
Verbena
Choctaw County
Butler
Gilbertown
Jachin
Lisman
Melvin
Needham
Pennington
Silas
Toxey
Ward
Clarke County
Alma
Campbell
Carlton
Coffeeville
Dickinson
Fulton
Gainestown
Grove Hill
Jackson
Morvin
Thomasville
Whatley
Clay County
Ashland
Cragford
Delta
Hollins
Lineville
Millerville
Cleburne County
Edwardsville
Fruithurst
Heflin
Muscadine
Ranburne
Coffee County
Elba
Enterprise
Jack
Kinston
New Brockton
Colbert County
Cherokee
Leighton
Muscle Shoals
Sheffield
Tuscumbia
Conecuh County
Brooklyn
Burnt Corn
Castleberry
Lenox
Range
Repton
Coosa County
Equality
Goodwater
Kellyton
Rockford
Weogufka
Covington County
Andalusia
Florala
Gantt
Lockhart
Opp
Red Level
River Falls
Wing
Crenshaw County
Brantley
Dozier
Glenwood
Highland Home
Honoraville
Luverne
Petrey
Rutledge
Cullman County
Baileyton
Bremen
Crane Hill
Cullman
Garden City
Hanceville
Holly Pond
Joppa
Logan
Vinemont
Dale County
Ariton
Daleville
Fort Rucker
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Newton
Ozark
Pinckard
Skipperville
Dallas County
Marion Junction
Minter
Orrville
Plantersville
Safford
Sardis
Selma
Elmore County
Coosada
Deatsville
Eclectic
Elmore
Kent
Millbrook
Tallassee
Titus
Wetumpka
Escambia County
Atmore
Brewton
Flomaton
Huxford
Etowah County
Altoona
Attalla
Boaz
Gadsden
Gallant
Walnut Grove
Fayette County
Bankston
Belk
Berry
Fayette
Glen Allen
Franklin County
Hodges
Phil Campbell
Red Bay
Russellville
Spruce Pine
Vina
Geneva County
Bellwood
Black
Chancellor
Coffee Springs
Geneva
Hartford
Malvern
Samson
Slocomb
Greene County
Boligee
Clinton
Eutaw
Forkland
Knoxville
West Greene
Hale County
Akron
Greensboro
Moundville
Newbern
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Henry County
Abbeville
Clopton
Headland
Newville
Shorterville
Houston County
Ashford
Columbia
Cottonwood
Cowarts
Dothan
Gordon
Pansey
Webb
Jackson County
Bridgeport
Bryant
Dutton
Estillfork
Fackler
Flat Rock
Higdon
Hollytree
Hollywood
Langston
Paint Rock
Pisgah
Princeton
Scottsboro
Section
Stevenson
Trenton
Woodville
Jefferson County
Adamsville
Adger
Alton
Bessemer
Birmingham
Brookside
Cardiff
Clay
Docena
Dolomite
Dora
Fairfield
Fultondale
Gardendale
Graysville
Kimberly
Leeds
Mc Calla
Morris
Mount Olive
Mulga
New Castle
Palmerdale
Pinson
Pleasant Grove
Sayre
Shannon
Trafford
Trussville
Warrior
Watson
Lamar County
Beaverton
Detroit
Kennedy
Millport
Sulligent
Vernon
Lauderdale County
Anderson
Cloverdale
Florence
Killen
Lexington
Rogersville
Waterloo
Lawrence County
Courtland
Hillsboro
Moulton
Mount Hope
Town Creek
Lee County
Auburn
Auburn University
Cusseta
Loachapoka
Opelika
Salem
Smiths Station
Waverly
Limestone County
Ardmore
Athens
Belle Mina
Capshaw
Elkmont
Lester
Madison
Mooresville
Tanner
Lowndes County
Fort Deposit
Hayneville
Letohatchee
Lowndesboro
Tyler
Macon County
Fort Davis
Hardaway
Notasulga
Shorter
Tuskegee
Tuskegee Institute
Madison County
Brownsboro
Gurley
Harvest
Hazel Green
Huntsville
Meridianville
New Hope
New Market
Normal
Owens Cross Roads
Ryland
Toney
Marengo County
Demopolis
Dixons Mills
Faunsdale
Gallion
Jefferson
Linden
Magnolia
Myrtlewood
Nanafalia
Sweet Water
Thomaston
Marion County
Bear Creek
Brilliant
Guin
Hackleburg
Hamilton
Winfield
Marshall County
Albertville
Arab
Douglas
Grant
Guntersville
Horton
Union Grove
Mobile County
Axis
Bayou La Batre
Bucks
Chunchula
Citronelle
Coden
Creola
Dauphin Island
Eight Mile
Grand Bay
Irvington
Mobile
Mount Vernon
Saint Elmo
Saraland
Satsuma
Semmes
Theodore
Wilmer
Monroe County
Beatrice
Excel
Franklin
Frisco City
Goodway
Megargel
Mexia
Monroeville
Perdue Hill
Peterman
Uriah
Vredenburgh
Montgomery County
Cecil
Grady
Hope Hull
Lapine
Mathews
Montgomery
Mount Meigs
Pike Road
Pine Level
Ramer
Morgan County
Danville
Decatur
Eva
Falkville
Hartselle
Laceys Spring
Somerville
Trinity
Valhermoso Springs
Perry County
Marion
Uniontown
Pickens County
Aliceville
Carrollton
Ethelsville
Gordo
Mc Shan
Reform
Pike County
Banks
Brundidge
Goshen
Troy
Randolph County
Graham
Roanoke
Wadley
Wedowee
Woodland
Russell County
Cottonton
Fort Mitchell
Hatchechubbee
Holy Trinity
Hurtsboro
Phenix City
Pittsview
Seale
Shelby County
Alabaster
Calera
Chelsea
Columbiana
Harpersville
Helena
Maylene
Montevallo
Pelham
Saginaw
Shelby
Siluria
Sterrett
Vandiver
Vincent
Westover
Wilsonville
Wilton
Sumter County
Bellamy
Cuba
Emelle
Epes
Gainesville
Livingston
Panola
York
Talladega County
Alpine
Bon Air
Childersburg
Lincoln
Munford
Sycamore
Sylacauga
Talladega
Tallapoosa County
Alexander City
Camp Hill
Dadeville
Daviston
East Tallassee
Jacksons Gap
Tuscaloosa County
Abernant
Brookwood
Buhl
Coaling
Coker
Cottondale
Duncanville
Echola
Elrod
Fosters
Kellerman
Northport
Peterson
Ralph
Samantha
Tuscaloosa
Vance
Walker County
Burnwell
Carbon Hill
Cordova
Eldridge
Empire
Goodsprings
Jasper
Kansas
Nauvoo
Oakman
Parrish
Quinton
Sipsey
Sumiton
Townley
Washington County
Calvert
Chatom
Deer Park
Frankville
Fruitdale
Leroy
Malcolm
Mc Intosh
Millry
Saint Stephens
Sunflower
Tibbie
Vinegar Bend
Wagarville
Wilcox County
Alberta
Annemanie
Arlington
Boykin
Camden
Catherine
Coy
Furman
Lower Peach Tree
Mc Williams
Oak Hill
Pine Apple
Pine Hill
Winston County
Addison
Arley
Delmar
Double Springs
Haleyville
Houston
Lynn
Natural Bridge