| FAMILY: |
Rhinotermes |
| SIZE: |
1/8" to 3/8" |
| COLOR: |
Very light to medium brown |
| FORAGE AREA: |
300 feet |
| EGGS LAID: |
80,000 per day |
| COLONY SIZE: |
350,000 to 3,000,000 |
FORMSANS ARE REFERRED to as "supertermites" because of their ability to build nests above ground, sustain very large populations and consume wood at a rapid rate.
Technically a sub-species of subterranean termites, they can consume up to 13 ounces of wood a day and severly damage a house within three months.
They migrated from China on military ships returning from World War II. They are an example of a new termite specie invading and rapidly spreading across the United States.
| FAMILY: |
Reticulitermes |
| SIZE: |
1/4" to 3/8" |
| COLOR: |
Pale Peach, Light Brown or Dark Brown
(Depending on their role within the colony.) |
Subterranean termites, if left undetected, can cause serious structural damage to your home. Nesting underground in the soil, they can enter your home via mud tubes that provide shelter as they make their way indoors entering through small cracks in your home's foundation. Signs of infestation include; the presence of swarmers, wings, mud tubes, or visibly damaged wood. Other areas of concern include; overgrown vegetation, wood chips, plumbing fixtures, utility access points as they make excellent breeding grounds for growing colonies.
The colonies contain three castes; reproductives, workers and soldiers. Reproductive males and females can each produce offspring, while workers make up the largest part of the colony and soldiers who work to defend the colony from invasion.
| FAMILY: |
Hodotermitidae |
| SIZE: |
1/2" to 5/8" |
| COLOR: |
Black to Light Brown |
Dampwood termites infest wood with high moisture content, creating tunnels while eating across the grain of the wood creating a series of chambers or gallaries. Wood in contact with the ground or with high moisture content can be vulnerable to attack. Logs, stumps, dead trees, leaky pipes, or gutters can provide favorable conditions for infestation and steps should be taken to remove these items from in and around the house. Dampwood termites are almost exclusively wood dwelling, and do not require contact with the soil. Dampwood termites generally infest fallen timber, dead trees and stumps or within dead limbs of living trees. Wood in contact with the ground or areas near moisture sources, such as leaky plumbing, ventilation, or gutters can cause moisture to gather in wall cavities making it attractive for dampwood infestations.
Learn more about Termites in our Termite Advice section.
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