Termites

Did you know that termites can destroy your home? If you don’t tackle such problems immediately, there is a good chance that you’re going to experience serious problems in the long run. Termites live in colonies with thousands of other termites, and each termite serves specific responsibilities. However, they always work together to ensure that the colony thrives and survives. They also cooperate to help expand to new areas.

Cellulose is the primary food source for termites. It can be found in a handful of materials, including plants, lumber, cotton, cardboard, furniture, paper, and more. Suffice to say, termites are going to tear through your home to obtain the food they need to survive. A termite colony will build termite mounds because the colony has outgrown its nests. They also build mud tubes so they can reach nearby food sources safely.

Although there are other termite species in Baltimore, Subterranean termites tend to be the worst. They cause most of the damage done to American structures.

Understanding A Colony Make-Up

A termite colony has several members. For instance, it will have a Queen, King, Worker Termites, and more. Below, you’ll learn more about these termites and their responsibilities.

Queen

The Queen termite is vital during the colony’s early days. During the early days, the Queen works with the king to ensure that the colony has enough workers and soldiers to survive. After that, the Queen will continue working with the king to produce more termites for the colony.

Queen termites are the largest member in the group and need assistance from countless workers. They will push her in the right direction.

King

The king and queen always work together to guarantee that the termite colony can thrive. They breed together. The king and queen are vital to the colony during the beginning.

Workers

Next, you have worker termites. Worker termites as very important to the colony because they perform 90% of the work. They help do everything, including building tunnels, caring for termite eggs, and searching for food. They have soft bodies and light wings.

In general, worker termites grow up to 10mm in length. Another thing to note is that workers never stop. They work 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Soldiers

Although soldiers look like worker termites, there are a few differences. For instance, they have longer heads and more powerful jaws. As the name implies, soldier termites are responsible for defending the colony. These white, wingless termites defend the colony from ants and other termite predators.

Reproductives

Finally, you have winged reproductives. These termites are born in spring before leaving the colony. Since they have wings, they can fly a long distance from the colony. Then, they’ll try to build colonies elsewhere. Swarmer termites can reproductive, so they can produce more soldiers and workers.

Remember that each colony will have one king and one queen. In addition to this, they’ll have countless soldier termites, worker termites, and swarmer termites.

Types Of Termites In Baltimore

Baltimore is home to several termite species, but you’ll likely deal with a subterranean termite infestation. These termites can be found in Maryland and all nearby states.

About

Before going any further, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about Subterranean termites. They live in colonies with classes, such as workers and soldiers. Plus, the colony will have a king and queen. They produce swarmer termites in spring so the colony can spread to new areas. Worker and soldier termites can grow up to three-eights of an inch. Soldiers have longer heads and powerful jaws that they use to defend the colony from ants and other invaders.

Activities

Subterranean termites tend to live in underground colonies. They can live above ground as long as the area is moist. Mud tubes are built so the termite can constantly reach nearby food sources without being attacked by predators. Subterranean termites and most other termites consume cellulose which is found in lumber and cardboard. Swarmers are produced in spring so they can fly away from the colony and build new colonies.

Concerns

You cannot ignore a Subterranean termite infestation because it will quickly worsen. Termites reproduce rapidly. In addition to this, termites are going to destroy your home. They consume cellulose which is found in lumber. As a result, they’ll tear down your home to get the food they need to survive.

Comparing Flying Ants And Flying Termites

It is pertinent to learn more about flying ants and flying termites. Although they’re similar, there are some differences between the two.

Wings – Flying termites have wings that are of equal size. Flying ants have front wings that are longer than their back wings.

Waist – You can determine which insect you’re dealing with by looking at its waist. If it has a pinched waist, you’re dealing with flying ants.

Antennas – If the insect has elbowed antennas, you’re looking at a flying ant.

Knowledge About Termites

• Termites never stop working. Whether they’re feeding, breeding, or building, they’ll continue working 24 hours a day.
• The termite colony on your property can stay there for 50 to 70 years.
• A termite colony can house as many as half a million insects simultaneously.
• Termites are helpful in the wide because they eliminate deadwood.
• Most termite species need steady access to water. If they can’t access water, they’ll dry out and die.
• Most colonies live underground, but they can live above ground too.
• Ants often attack termites and their colonies.
• As long as you work with a good exterminator, you can eliminate the colony on your property.
• Subterranean termites are found across the United States, but they don’t live in Alaska.
• Subterranean termites are the most destructive. They account for more than 90% of the structural damage done in the United States.
• Although they can’t chew through concrete, they can maneuver through its small cracks easily.
• Worker termites are the only ones that can eat and digest cellulose. As a result, they have to regurgitate the food and feed other termites.
• Termite queens can survive as long as 20 years.

Termite Dangers

How dangerous are termites? Do you have to worry about termites biting you and make you sick? The good news is that most termites are not dangerous. They’re not going to transmit dangerous diseases. They won’t bite either. However, the biggest concern is that termites are going to rapidly destroy your belongings. They can chew through wood rapidly. As a result, they’ll ruin your home.

Eliminating A Termite Colony

It is pertinent to eliminate a termite colony as quickly as possible. The problem is that homeowners often have difficulty pinpointing the location of the termite colony. Termites can travel over 300 feet to obtain food. Termites are fragile so they’re not difficult to kill. They’re often overpowered and destroyed by ants. Nevertheless, eliminating an entire colony won’t be easy. If you’re experiencing a termite infestation, call us. We offer comprehensive termite services, so we can help.

Dealing With An Infestation Yourself

Could you eliminate a termite infestation without hiring an exterminator? Although you might be able to achieve this goal, the possibility is slim. The problem is that termite colonies are difficult to pinpoint. Unless you know where they’re hiding, you won’t be able to eliminate them. Suffice to say, you need to work with an exterminator. Using DIY methods can be risky, and you don’t want to take that risk. By working with a professional, you can fix the problem swiftly. Plus, you don’t have to worry about using dangerous chemicals that could make someone ill.

 When Can You Begin?

Contact our local office to schedule an appointment. One of our leading exterminators in Baltimore will respond in 24 to 48 hours.

Is Your Treatment Safe?

You’ll want to do everything possible to protect the ones you love. To achieve this goal, use our services. We offer safe solutions by relying solely on EPA-registered products. We’re confident that we can keep you safe every step of the way. Our exterminators understand the importance of protecting our clients. They’ll do everything they can to keep you safe. Work with us and you won’t need to worry about the risks involved. We’ll make sure that everything goes well.

Preventing Termite Infestations

Be sure to follow the steps below to keep termites away from your home.

• First and foremost, you need to keep water away from your home’s foundation. It is pertinent to check your downspouts and gutters. Do what you can to keep the water away from your home’s foundation.
• Pay attention to your home’s humidity. Reduce the humidity in your attic, crawlspace, and basement. Proper ventilation can make a big difference.
• Never store firewood close to your home. Make sure it is at least twenty feet away from the home. Also, store firewood five inches from the ground.
• Wood mulch should be stored further away from the home’s foundation.
• Check your home for signs of termites.
• When you find termites, call of office.

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