Termites

The termite is a destructive wood-destroying insect known for causing significant damage to homes and structures. They belong to the order Isoptera and are highly prevalent in various regions, including South Florida. Here’s some information about regarding types of termites.

Eastern Subterranean Termite

There several different types of termites. Most pest species of subterranean termites in North America belong to the endemic genus Reticulitermes.

Reticulitermes species are found in every state in the continental United States except Alaska but are most common in the warm and humid southeastern region. The eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes is the most widely distributed and is found in the entire eastern region of North America as far north as Ontario, Canada, and south to Key Largo, Florida.

Because of their cryptic nature, structural infestations of subterranean termites are usually not visible. Most people become aware of an infestation when annual flights of winged termites (called alates) occur in structures. The alates of Reticulitermes flavipes and Reticulitermes virginicus are dark brown, while those of Reticulitermes hageni are yellowish-brown. Alates of Reticulitermes flavipes are generally larger (approximately 0.4″ long including wings) than those of Reticulitermes virginicus or Reticulitermes hageni (approximately 0.3″ long).

Alate wings of Reticulitermes species have two hardened and thickened veins that are visible along the entire front end, but lack the small hairs that are characteristic of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. After indoor flights, most alates are found dead near windows or in sinks and bathtubs – usually with their wings still attached. As with other termite species, Reticulitermes colonies contain three primary castes; the reproductives (king, queen, alates, alate nymphs, and supplementary reproductives), soldiers, and workers. Alates and soldiers are used for species identification.

Soldiers of the subterranean termite (Rhinotermitidae) are distinguished from those of the drywood or dampwood termite (Kalotermitidae) by their smaller size and the relative width of the pronotum. In the subterranean termite, the pronotum (segment immediately behind the head) is narrower than the head, while in kalotermidis they are equally as wide.

Reticulitermes soldiers are further distinguished from those of Coptotermes formosanus by the rectangular-shaped head of the former compared to the oval-shaped head of the latter. Subterranean termites form a network of interconnected feeding sites beneath or above the soil surface. A single colony of subterranean termites, especially those of Reticulitermes flavipes, may contain 100,000 – 1,000,000 termites and forage up to 150 feet in search of food (Su et al. 1993).

When the subterranean termite searches for food above ground, they may enter a house through small cracks or joints in the foundation, or by building shelter tubes along the foundation wall. These tubes are highways connecting the underground termite population with aboveground food sources. Because termites consume cellulose, the main structural components of plant cells, any wood material in a house is a potential food source, but they may also damage non-wood material in search of food.

Because termites rarely show themselves in the open, infestations can be difficult to detect until the damage becomes severe. In addition to the presence of alates and shelter tubes, wood material can be probed with a screwdriver or ice pick to locate infested wood. The surface of severely damaged wood may appear blistered or peeling, as termites hollow out the wood leaving a paper-thin surface. Reticulitermes tend to cover the wood they feed upon with soil, thus giving wood a more “dirty” appearance than Coptotermes formosanus-infested wood. However, it is not advisable to identify the termite species based solely on damage as there are many exceptions.

Credit: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/termites/native_subterraneans.htm

Formosan Termite

The Formosan subterranean termite was first reported in Florida in the early 1980s in Hallandale, Broward County. But it was probably introduced there at least five to 10 years previously. As of 2010, the Formosan subterranean termite is found in all major urban areas of Florida (Figure 3). In urban southeastern Florida where the Formosan subterranean termite was first found, its distribution has expanded to include much of the coastal areas of Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.

Click this link for the most recent update of Formosan subterranean termite distribution in Florida. As its name indicates, the Formosan subterranean termite is a subterranean termite species characterized by large populations that share interconnected foraging galleries in soil. When these termites invade a house above-ground, foraging tubes of ca. 0.25 to 0.5-inch diameter may be found connecting soil tubes and the infested house.

A single individual of the Formosan subterranean termite does not consume more wood than a single native subterranean termite, however, because of its large population size, a Formosan subterranean termite colony can cause more structural damage in a shorter time. Wood products that are infested by the Formosan subterranean termite may be recognized by tapping the wood with a hard object. In severe infestations, Formosan subterranean termite hollows out woods leaving a paper-thin surface. A hollowed wood surface may look blistered or peeled.

Credit: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/termites/formosan_termite.htm

Drywood Termite

Drywood termites typically infest sound or nondecayed wood in older homes. Places they can be found in a home include wood flooring, attics, wood frames, fascia boards, window sills, doors, and furniture. Drywood termites survive best at 60°F but have been reported in temperatures of 110°F. Initially, winged termites known as swarmers or alates will enter cracks and openings in wood to start new colonies.

These termites have evolved to be able to survive in environmental extremes. This is important because, unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites cannot retreat to the soil when conditions are unfavorable. A good way to know if there is a drywood termite infestation is from their six-sided fecal pellets, known as frass. These fecal pellets are removed from drywood termite nests through small “kick-out holes,” which are about 1 to 2 mm in diameter.

These are normally found in mounds and have been described to look like sawdust or coffee grounds. These are usually light tan to almost black but have no relation to the color of the wood the termites are feeding on. If rolled between your fingers, you will notice a gritty texture of the pellets, this is a way many pest control operators identify drywood termite feces.

Credit: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/termites/c_cavifrons.htm

Dampwood Termite

Dampwood termites infest wood with high moisture content. They do not need soil contact in order to sustain themselves but are commonly found in wood contacting the ground. They are commonly found infesting damp or decaying wood, logs, stumps, and dead trees, but will commonly attack structures exposed to moist soil and high humidity.

Although dampwood termites can cause significant damage, especially in association with decaying fungi, they are considered to be the least economically destructive pest.

Finding dampwood termite infestations can be a little tricky because there is little visual external evidence of their presence; they do not produce mud tubes or create visible open holes in the wood. They hide very well in the wood to prevent themselves from drying out, plugging holes with fecal material. Tapping wood that sounds hollow or feels soft is a good sign of a dampwood termite infestation.

Credit: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/termites/neotermes.html

* Remember that termites can cause substantial damage, and early detection and professional intervention are vital in managing infestations effectively. For localized and specific information on termites in your area, contact Hannan Environmental Services today!