Termite Control
Each
year, subterranean termites attack thousands of homes in southwest Ohio.
They live in colonies (nests) in the soil and continuously forage for
food. Wood, paper, and fiberboard which contain cellulose are ideal food
sources. Although termites are often found feeding harmlessly on yard
debris under rocks, in mulch, and other moist areas, they become a problem
when they turn to your home for food. Mud tubes are often built to extend
beyond the soil into your home where they attack sill plates, wall studs,
floor joists, and any other viable food source. One of the most common
indicators of subterranean termite activity in your home is one or more
of these mud tunnels extending vertically from the soil, up your foundation
and into your home. These tunnels are often found on the foundation inside
your garage.
Termites or flying ants?
 Termite
swarmers (reproductives) are often mistaken for flying ants and visa verse.
Termite swarmers usually leave their colony in the spring where they attempt
to start new colonies. Ants swarm at different times of year but primarily
in the spring as well.
After emerging, termite reproductives
use their wings to carry them away from their own colony. They are not
good fliers and usually only make it a few feet before landing. Soon after,
they shed their wings. Piles of wings are commonly found at the site of
the swarm; be it in windowsills, around door frames, porch stoops, etc.
Ant swarmers usually retain their wings for a longer period of time. You
will not find piles of wings after an ant swarm as with termites.
If you experience a swarm,
look for the differences between termites and ants to determine which
you have. The termite swarmer has no waistline, only a head and an oval
body (cigar shaped). The ant swarmer has three well defined sections -
a head, a thorax and an abdomen. Also, termites have two sets of equally
long wings. Ants have two sets of wings with one set being larger that
the other. Finally, there is a difference is the antennae of each insect.
Termites have a straight antennae where ants have an elbowed antennae.
A magnifying glass will aid in identification, but should not be necessary.
A termite swarm in a structure
indicates that active termites are present. Swarmers only emerge where
worker termites (white, wingless termites that cause structural damage)
have created mud tunnels.
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