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Every year when the warmer weather starts to be felt, termite swarmers (the termite alate reproductive stage) appear in their hundreds, thousands or even hundred of thousands. If you think you have seen termites don’t panic, you may have simply come across flying ants.

Here is how to differentiate between the two.

Antennae

Termite antennae are straight. Ant antennae have an elbow.

Body

Termite waist is straight. Ant waist tapers in the middle.

Wings

Both termites and ants have two pairs of wings. Termite wings are straight and the same shape. At rest, they fold together in a straight line. Ant wings front and back wiings are unequal in length and shape. They sit outward on the body.

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WELCOME A termite is a beneficial insect that aids in the decomposition of debris that our planet produces. Termites are found all over the world. There are 41 different of species of termites found in the US , most of which are found in the SE of the United States. Termites are primarily known for creating structural damage to the structures in which we live. They do more monetary damage to homeowners every year than wind, storms, earthquake and fire combined. –In excess of 5 billion dollars per annum in the USA alone. Termites are familiar to us as wood-eating insects that threaten homes and other building with their diets. There are more than 2,870 kinds of termites living all around the world with 185 worldwide causing economic damage. Three of the four major kinds of termites (drywood, subterranean, mound builders and dampwood) are found in North America and Australia. Although we think of them mostly as destructive pests, these ancient insects have many sides. Termites are more active in the warmer months than the winter. Springtime tends to be the time when homeowners notice they have termites because like the flowers, that’s when the colonies ‘bloom’ so to speak.Its when they send out their reproductives in their hundreds and if not thousands at a time.This is what homeowners initially see when they have termites. Control can involve baiting stations which involve placement of monortoring stations around the structure being protected and there are also barrier methods which is the treatment of the soil with a liquid insecticide. There are also pretreatment methods during the construction phase of a structure where you treat the wood directly rather than the soil. Isoptera Termites are part of a group of insects known as Isoptera, so named because the winged members of the species have wings roughly the same size in front as in the back. Termites and cockroaches descend from a common ancestor. Royalty and Social Organization Every termite colony has a social system. The queen and king termites are at the top of the colony, and their roles are to help the colony reproduce. The University of California reports that termite royalty is unique in the insect world because they can live for several decades. Queens can live up to 25 years under the right conditions. Soldiers and workers typically live a maximum of two years. In addition to having a queen and king, termite colonies also have soldiers with bulbous heads and big jaws to protect the colony. Worker termites perform other functions such as taking care of the queen and gathering food. The workers often have a creamy white color; they make up the largest group of termites in a colony and these are the termites that actually eat wood in a home or area. Swarmers Termite infestations are often noticed in the spring; this is when swarmers (winged termites) come out and start looking for new places to start colonies. When a nest reaches about 200-300,000 individual termites or around a million in the case of Formosan termites, some of the workers or soldiers grow wings, pair off and leave the colony to start new nests. Flying termites can be distinguished from similar flying insects–such as flying ants–by their straight antennae, a waist that does not narrow and the similar-sized front and back wings. This  termites pictures site. has a diagram showing differences between termites and ants. Mud Tubes The presence of mud tubes, also referred to as earthen tubes, is another common sign of termite infestation. These tubes are extensions of a network of tunnels that termites build in places such as foundation walls, support piers, sill plates and floor joists. Prevention Certain things make a location attractive to termites. Taking steps to reduce the chances of infestation are imperative including keeping pipes and air-conditioning units in good repair as well as sealing pipes, keeping water away from the foundation and removing standing water from roofs. Also, get rid of excess plant cover and wood mulch and keep vents clear and screened. Homeowners should keep foundations and crawl spaces clear of lumber and paper and be careful not to keep stumps or other debris lying around or outside the house. Termites sometimes colonize wooden plants that are already in decline. Termites in nature carry away dead plant matter and even dung, clearing way for new life to develop. 1. Subterranean termites The most common in North America is the subterranean termite and is the most destructive. This type of termite causes 95 percent of the $2 billion dollars in damage in the United States each year. Like other termite species, they live in colonies. Although they live most of their time underground, they can also go above ground through mud tunnels to search for food such as wood and other cellulose material. Within their colonies, different castes or groups of termites perform different functions. The types consist of workers, soldiers and supplementary reproductives (the ones who produce the eggs), and then, of course, there is the queen, who presides over the entire colony. Formosan Termites Considered by many to be the most destructive termites, Formosan termites — a subspecies of subterranean termites — earn their infamous reputation because of their numbers. Each colony of Formosan termites is composed of hundreds of thousands of termites. They are identified by their large and yellowish bodies. Another distinguishing trait of the species is that they can create cartons or nests inside wood, soil and undigested cellulose that are filled with water. This allows them to have water sources in a variety of locations. Typically, you will find them across the southern United States. 2. Drywood Termites Drywood termites grow up to a half-inch long and dwell above ground in wooden structures that — like their name suggests — contain dry wood, such as homes and office buildings. Unlike subterranean termites, there are no worker termites within their colonies and they do not require mud tunnels for movement. Yet, like their subterranean brothers, they also eat wood and other cellulose material. Geographically, they’ve been found in the southwestern United States. They are usually first identified by piles of fecal pellets that lie on windowsills or furniture. 3. Dampwood Termites As their name suggests, these termites love wet and damp areas where they thrive in wood, the only type of material they will live in. These termites leave little damage to wood surfaces and live mostly in natural environments such as wet wood piles, logs and stumps. Dampwood termites are significantly bigger than other termite species and are located in Pacific coast and Southwest regions in addition to the central and southern parts of Florida. 4. Grass-eatingTermites Grass-eating termites are found in the Northern Hemisphere in Madagasca and tropical regions. Here at the termites pictures site there will be many photographic examples gathered from all over the world as well as helpful and interesting articles on termite prevention. The Termites Pictures Signs of Damage/Threats The nearby presence of swarmers, or winged-adults, indicate a risk of infection. More immediate signs of infection include the presence of mud tubes, or transport tunnels, as well as wood that is weak or hollow sounding. Affected Areas Termites not only cause damage to wood, but also to paper products, cardboard boxes, canvases, wallpaper and carpeting. In addition, termite damage can occur to areas not containing cellulose that stand in the way of their food, including plastic molds and foam board, for example. Damage Control/Prevention To prevent termite damage, you should have your house inspected annually. Serious termite damage usually takes at least three years. Here at www.termites-pictures.com you will find excellent photographic examples. Treatments A variety of termite treatments are available depending upon requests and state regulations. A common treatment is called trench and treat, where liquid insecticides are applied in four-foot deep trenches in the soil surrounding the foundation your house. Spot treatments are also available and are less costly but less secure for future infestations. There are also pre-construction barriers that can be integrated into a building’s construction.

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Second, as we have already said, termites build mud tubes to travel between the ground and a structure. These mud tubes can often be found on the outside of a slab between the earth and brick line, or on piers which form the foundation of a building.

Finally, because termites like to eat the paper surface of sheetrock, pin holes are left behind when sheetrock has been damaged. There also will be some tubes in the wood indicating that termites have been eating through the wood and making their way from one side of the area to the other.

You will probably rarely see any actual termites because they tend to avoid light and open air spaces. The tunnels give them the ability to go virtually undetected while reaching their food source, wood. Therefore, destruction can be “undetected” as well.

There are a few ways that termites can infest buildings. Since they like to eat damp, cellulose such as is found in wood and leaves, they will stick to where their food sources are most abundant. Your structure is probably framed in wood, but they also like drywall as well. Here are some places that allow termites to come into your home:

Wood to ground contact
Foundation cracks
Debris beneath the house
Uneven drainage
Joints between porches and foundations
Pipes and the insulation around them
If there is any area of your home where water has accumulated, chances are good that termites are going to be in that area. We’ll talk about prevention later on, but just about the only way you can tell on your own if you have termites is to look for tell-tale signs that they may be around.

While we have already described the damage, you might be better served with some termite damage pictures to help you identify termite damage.

Unfortunately, infestations can go undetected for years, after substantial damage has already been done. Signs of activity are not always easily detected. However, watch for wood debris near wood surfaces, like window sills. Mud tubes or trails may be found along the foundation, leading up to structure. Swarming termites have two clear, evenly-sized wings.

What Do Termites Look Like?
Termites are white, translucent and are about the size of a cooked grain of rice. They differ from ants, aside from their color, in their body shape. Ants have an hourglass shape and three body segments. Termites have two body segments. Furthermore, termites have straight antennae while ants have bent or segmented antennae.

How To Detect Termites
Unfortunately, infestations can go undetected for years, after substantial damage has already been done. Signs of activity are not always easily detected. However, watch for wood debris near wood surfaces, like window sills. Mud tubes or trails may be found along the foundation, leading up to structure. Swarming termites have two clear, evenly-sized wings.

What Do Termites Look Like?
Termites are white, translucent and are about the size of a cooked grain of rice. They differ from ants, aside from their color, in their body shape. Ants have an hourglass shape and three body segments. Termites have two body segments. Furthermore, termites have straight antennae while ants have bent or segmented antennae.

What Should I Do About Termites?
Colonies of termites are destructive to your home and property. Termites feast on wood and cause millions upon millions of dollars of damage every year. Contrary to popular belief, termites don’t live in wood, they commute from their subterranean homes. Because they live underground and burrow into the wood, they are not always easily detected. If you suspect termites, have found evidence of them, or have not had a termite inspection in the past few years, you should call a professional termite inspector to assess the situation and provide you with a recommended treatment.

How To Exterminate Termites
Unfortunately, treatment is not a do-it-yourself job. You will need a professional exterminator to apply a treatment to destroy colonies and active infestations. Whole house treatments will eliminate active infestations. Additional treatment is required to shield your home from subterranean colonies.

Whole house treatments involve a tent that enshrouds the house. It is filled will a toxic gas, or it can be filled with hot air to heat the house until the timbers reach 120 degrees (F). This treatment eliminates the active termites in the home. The colonies living underground must be dealt with separately. Typically a toxin is injected into the ground to shield your home from the termites.

Spot control can be applied to active infestations. However, they do not treat infestations in other parts of the house. Even if there is no outwa

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These aren’t from termites. Termites either drop little pellets or they make a sort of mud to cover things. They don’t do sawdust. It might be stuff that was left during construction and has slowly moved out to collect in spider webs BUT it is more likely to be produced by another timber pest (like beetles) so it is important that you get a competent pest inspector to take a good look at it just in case it is something serious.