What Do Termites Look Like?

Typically, there are many termites, but the common ones are between ¼- and ½-inch long. Moreover, how a termite looks will rely on its role in the colony. Each type of termite has a special role in fulfilling. Still, even with unique features, there are common characteristics they share.

Some of the notable features that will help you distinguish the appearance of termites in your space include fat with no definite waist, straight antennae like a thread of beads, and pale, cream-colored bodies.

As minor as they are, termites can cause severe damage to a property once they settle in your home or workstation. This build-up of termites is called termite infestation, and they are usually looking to feed on cellulose materials like wood.
Read on.

What Makes A Termite Colony?

Termite colonies have plenty of castes. This means that many termites that have different and specific roles inside the colony. A colony has three castes that include reproductives, soldiers, and workers.

Reproductives have three different classes that include queens, kings, and alates, or swarmer. The kings and queens reproduce workers, who later grow into alates. So, the Alates come together from different colonies where they develop new colonies. And the cycle continues.

Termites vs. Ants

Most people can't tell apart termites from ants. Well, the blame is not on you because these two insects have several similar features and even behaviors. The most common confusion comes from the winged ants that are almost identical to termites.

But, let that boat sail and learn how to tell them apart as follows;
•    Termites and winged ants have antennae. However, the antennae of termites are straight, and the winged ants have bent antennae.

•    The waists of termites are wide as compared to the narrow waists of ants. This slim ant waist makes them look like bees.

•    Both winged and flying termites and ants have two pairs of wings. Also, termites have the same wings, while ants have enormous front wings and small ones in the back.

•    Teeming termites are about 1/4-inch to 3/8- inch long, equal to a carpenter ant or a giant fire ant. Still, fire ants range from 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch long. Conversely, wet-wood and dry-wood termites have a large size as compared to subterranean termites.

•    Worker termites appear clear ad translucent in color, but others are grey or brown.

How to Keep Termites Away

If your area is prevalent with termite infestations, it would be best to conduct a frequent inspection to determine the safety of your property.
Preferably, catching termites early is the best approach to ensuring they don't grow into an infestation. This way, you can treat the termites alone since they are not many. when you do it alone, you will need to attack the termite gallery with recommended insecticides.

As usual, prevention is way better than dealing with the infestation later on, usually a little too late. Prevention methods are like digging a ditch and applying an insecticide into the ground to deter them. It's a tedious process but can serve you from 5-10 years of termite no-show if left uninterrupted.

Generally, identifying termites is usually a challenge mainly because they are good at hiding in the property without the owner noticing. Visible termite damage is typically solid evidence of termite infestation.


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