Termites not only go after structural wood, but they can also feed on furniture, books, paper, and  insulation, as well as trees and shrubs. Termites feed on wood as well as dead plants and trees. Termites get nutrients from Cellulose, an organic fiber found in wood and plant matter. Wood makes up most of their diet but, as mentioned, they feed on other materials including drywall. Termites mouths are capable of tearing pieces of wood material. This is what causes significant damage to structures. Worker termites only measure about 1 cm to a couple of millimeters in length. The queens and kings, however, can be up to an inch long.

Termites’ life cycle begins with a mating flight, where swarming, winged, reproductive males and females leave established colonies to procreate. After fertilization, winged termites lose their wings and establish their own colonies. Those termites also become the king and queen of the colony and are in charge with procreation. After the queen lays her eggs, they will then hatch into pale white larvae. Eggs hatch into larvae and molt into workers, soldiers, and primary and secondary reproductive. Larvae go through several molts and grow to assume their role within the colony.

Workers are responsible for constructing tunnels and chambers, as well as feeding other termites. Soldier termites are yellow brown in color, with enlarged heads and large mandibles. Soldier termites are useful in combat, but are incapable of feeding themselves. The reproductive termites are darker in color, and are born with two pairs of wings, long, skinny bodies, and non-segmented antennae. Worker and Soldier termites live up to two years. Queen termites can live up to a decade in optimal climate conditions.

Termites can live in your home and on your property for an extended amount of time before being detected. To keep damage at a minimum, watch out for these warning signs of termite activity.

• Drooping or discolored drywall
• Peeling paint that resembles water damage
• Wood that sounds hollow when it is tapped
• Pinpoint holes in drywall
• Wooden or laminate floorboards that have begun to buckle
• Excessively squeaky floorboards
• Crumbling, damaged wood
• Stuck windows or doors
• Furniture, floorboards, or walls that have maze like patterns in them
• Mounds of dry wood termite pellets, often resembling small piles of salt or pepper

• Piles of wings left behind after swarms that resemble fish scales
• Mud tubes climbing the foundation of a structure
• Flying termite swarms anywhere on your property

If you see any of these warning signs do not hesitate to call the experts at Magic Pest and Lawn. We will help you identify termites and assess any damage that may have been done.