A termite swarm is simply a part of the termite life cycle, and termites swarm solely for the purpose of mating and reproducing. Swarms typically last a few weeks, although the start and finish can vary, depending on weather patterns and other local conditions. That said, seeing flying termites near your home is a reason for concern, as the closer these voracious pests get to your home, the bigger risk you run of having an infestation.
As we just mentioned, while a termite swarm itself does not damage your property, if you witness a swarm in or near your home, it means there is a termite colony living and thriving someplace nearby—and this colony could well be damaging the wood that makes up your house, garage or other structure. Termites feed on wood, which is why knowledgeable homeowners strive to keep these insects well away from houses, fences, pergolas and garages. A termite colony can cause extensive damage that costs a lot of money to repair.
Each termite colony has a queen that lays many thousands of eggs during her life cycle. The eggs hatch into nymphs. What do baby termites look like? These tiny, pale larvae look like small, white ants. These nymphs molt several times, becoming larger each time they shed their exoskeletons, until they finally mature into one of four different types of adult termite: workers, soldiers and primary and supplementary reproductives.
Either white or transparent, these termites live out their lives within the colony. Their jobs are to gather food for the colony, to build more tunnels and chambers and to care for termite eggs and baby nymphs. Larger and darker than the workers, soldiers work to defend their fellow termites by crushing ants and other invaders with their large mandibles. These are the termites you see during a termite swarm.
Blooming flowers and the return of warmer weather visualizes the spring season. But have you thought about what the insects go through at this time? At the beginning of peak pest season, termites come out from their hidden spots and mate with each other. Moreover, these invading creatures find their way to our homes, making our life hell.
These termites are the ones who lay eggs. The lifespan of a queen termite is longer than the king termite. Feel surprised by the number of eggs laid by her. Eggs hatch into larvae. It results in three types of termites classified as workers, soldiers, and reproductive adults. Workers are the backbone of a termite colony. They keep their civilization running by overseeing those day-to-day operations. They are construction workers, food manufacturers, and babysitters, all rolled into one.
As the same suggests, soldiers need to defend their colonies from the enemies. But in fact, termites have also been known to chew their way through plaster, insulation, and some soft metals. Termites eat wood because they seek the cellulose and other nutrients within it to live. What they eat and how they feed will also vary slightly based on the species of termite. In the United States, there are three types of termites, all found in different locations with different feeding habits:.
Subterranean termites: These are the most destructive termites. They form the largest colonies, eat rapidly through wood, and live in the ground. They typically only come in the home to feed. The specific timeframe that termites need in order to cause damage can vary based on several factors.
According to the NC State Extension website, a colony of about 60, termites could eat a 2x4 piece of wood in about 5 months.
Once a termite colony makes themselves at home in your home, they can stay there for years. While termite damage is rarely irreparable, it can be extensive and very expensive to repair—especially when termites damage the structural integrity of a home. And sometimes in the cases of furniture, you might lose a lot of the original piece.
Now that you know a bit about termite colonies and their appetites, you should know the signs of termites to look out for so you can avoid termite damage as much as possible. With termite damage, it all comes down to the timing. The sooner you can get them out of your home, the better.
Bed bugs are travelers. Before moving into your mattress or settling down in your nightstand, they may have lived in a hotel, office, school or other place where people gather. Because bed bugs can attach themselves to clothes, furniture, luggage and even your pets, they can also hitch a ride in your car, rental vehicle, taxi or rideshare. This gives them easy access to anything you transport with you and a free ride to everywhere you go, including your home.
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