Category: Termites

Termites have the power to destroy your home if they go unnoticed. Your home’s wood, drywall and even some metals can fall victim to a colony of termites. You might ask yourself: how long do termites live? As a homeowner, it’s important to know their life cycle since it directly affects you. Below we will explain how termites reproduce and how long they live.

Where Do Termites Live?

Termite colonies live in the ground or your home’s infrastructure. A colony can have up to 75 different termites. When the weather is extreme and termites have a lower risk of survival, nests can be started in one of two ways. One way is to transfer the infected wood or material to a new location. The second way is to divide a food source, which can cause a subcolony to break off and reproduce. Signs of termites are:

• Shed wings left behind
• Swarms
• Mud tubes
• Cracked or bubbling paint
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped

What Kind of Termites Exist?

There are three different kinds of termites: workers, soldiers and swarmers. They all serve a different purpose in the colony.

Workers

• Build or repair the nest
• Look for food sources to feed the colony
• Maintain the colony

Soldiers

• They are sterile, so they can’t reproduce
• Protect the colony

Swarmers

• Their main purpose is to reproduce
• They have two pair of wings

When Do They Reproduce?

Swarmers tend to emerge from their nests in large groups in the spring after the cold weather is over. Female swarmers then release pheromones (basically, a mating scent similar to perfume), which attract the male swarmers. Then, the male swarmers break off their wings – and that symbolizes they are now a couple. Once they select a mate, the new couple becomes king and queen of this new colony. It can take up to four years for a new colony to produce its own reproductive termites. In one year, the queen can lay anywhere from zero to about 20 eggs. Queens can live to be as old as 30. For more information on termites and their life cycle, visit Dustin Pest Control.

Termites can wreak devastation on your home and your wallet. These pesky insects are often known as the “silent destroyer” because they can manage a lot of damage to your home before any signs of immediate harm. Termite prevention is cheaper and can be reassuring to you as a homeowner because you know your home is protected. Continue reading

No one wants termites in their home. It immediately conjures thoughts of expensive repairs, right? If you think you might have termites, or you want to prevent them from moving into your home, you may want to look into termite prevention or termite control. Start by asking yourself these three questions. Continue reading

Termite damage costs an estimated $30 billion annually. Can termite damage be fixed? Yes. While it’s rare, there is a possibility that some termite species damage a house beyond repair. From structural supports to door frames and baseboards – termite damage costs can quickly add up. Following termite damage, construction can seem like a daunting task, especially because these pests eat the wood from the inside out. As soon as you realize you have termite damage, follow these steps when reconstructing your home. Continue reading

One of the biggest enemies in pest control is termites. While some house damage and pest infestations cannot be stopped, there are some preventative measures that you can take. Continue reading to learn five different ways you can actively prevent termites.

Continue reading

In the United States, there are over 50 species of termites and over 2,000 worldwide! Have you ever wondered how long termites live? Do they just chew apart wood, reproduce and die? The termite’s tale is actually quite an interesting one. Continue reading

Known as the silent destroyers termites can go unnoticed for months or even years. While a termite infestation may not be easy to spot early on there are some smaller signs you should be aware of.

Continue reading