Termite Bites: How to Prevent and Treat It Properly?

Termites are one of the most common pests which can often be seen in the easements or near the windowsill. They usually move in a large group and eats of the woods of our home. They are also called the silent destroyer as they don’t usually come out in the open which makes it difficult to detect them.  Even when they come out as flying insects, most of the people mistake them for ants as they look almost like one. This is the major reason for the establishment of the termite infestation. But, the termite looks different than ants in many perspectives, for example, termites have straight beaded antenna while ants have elbowed antennas. Termites have straight waist whereas ants have constricted waists. Moreover, they also differ regarding their wings as termites have wings of equal size whereas the ant's forewings are longer than their hind wings.

Termites must never be underestimated for their small size. Even if they measure hardly a centimeter, they can bring loss to your house that is worth thousands of dollars. Termites live in vast social gatherings called colonies. These provinces are ravenous, as well, eating 24 hours per day, consistently. Termites aren't simply bounteous; they are additionally changed as there are around 2,000 known species on Earth.

Termites are creepy crawlies, so they have body fragments and six legs. They may likewise have wings, and the wings are about a similar length. Termites are frequently mistaken for ants, yet you can differentiate in light of the fact that a subterranean insect's front wings are longer than its rear wings. Likewise, a termite's reception apparatuses will come straight out of its head, while subterranean insects will twist at a correct point. Termites aren't enormous, just ¼ - ½ inch long. Termite rulers and rulers of a few animal groups might be longer, however, up to a full inch. Termites are little, but since they are so abundant, the aggregate weight of the considerable number of termites is more than the aggregate weight of the considerable number of people on Earth!

The swarmers of the province are the winged termites, and they are entrusted with repeating and making new termite states. Specialist termites, then again, are entrusted with, you got it, working. They are sterile, so they can't recreate. Be that as it may, they make up most of the province and are basic since they bolster the settlement. These are the ones that are in your dividers encouraging without end. Swarmer outside your home is not an issue, but rather on the off chance that you see swarmer in your home (or their wings, since they tumble off rapidly once inside), at that point you're managing a built upstate.  


Drywood Termites

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Termites of all types can be a nuisance for a home or property. They can cause extensive damage to any type of area and most importantly, they are silent killers. They won't make a noise yet can inflict heavy casualty after some time. Therefore, having enough knowledge of the different species may be useful in termite identification. Also, the kind of termites in a particular area has a lot to do with its geographical condition. Not all termites can be found in a particular place. Therefore, understanding these points may help in recognizing the different termite species that are available.

The component structure of a property, as well as its location, may have a direct bearing on a termite species and as well as the risk that they pose to the structure.

Within the US, it has been noticed that termite infestation is much higher along southeastern states like Florida and also the west coast of California. As a person starts traveling towards the north of the country, the prevalence of termite decreases.

4 Different Kinds of Termites

There are more than 2000 species of termites known to human beings. Each of them varies in size, shape, and their characteristics. It depends on the region that they are found. Not all te4rmites are destructive to home, but most of them are. No matter what they look like, but all the known species of termites are differentiated into three main groups that are, Subterranean Termites, Drywood termites, and Dampwood termites.  

* Subterranean termites

They are the most common kind of termites that are found in every region of the earth. They are the most familiar termites and can well adapt themselves where the climate is hot and humid. There are more than six known species of termites that falls under the subterranean characteristics that are

  • Eastern Subterranean Termites
  • Dark south-eastern subterranean termites
  • Light south-eastern subterranean termites
  • Formosan subterranean termites
  • Western subterranean termites
  • Arid land subterranean termites
  • Desert subterranean termites

Some of the predominant termite species within the US are discussed here. Within the country, the most common type is the Subterranean termites that can be found almost everywhere. the 3 most damaging species within it include Formosan subterranean termites, Western subterranean and Eastern subterranean termites.

Formosan subterranean termites can be found along the Gulf Coast, Mississippi and Louisiana. These can be quite threatening in nature as they can inflict damage considerably but the saving grace is that they are not very common. Eastern subterranean termites can also be very disastrous and are one of the most easily found within the country. Their typical area of domination includes the east coast states of Georgia and also some far western states like Utah. Finally, the Western subterranean termites may also be quite threatening as far as any property is concerned. They can be extensively found along the west coast and within till Nevada.

These are the type of term that you need to be aware of. These termites can form a big rather large colony and can chew off your wood within days. They are one of the most destructive kinds of termite. Among all the variety of the subterranean termites, the most destructive one is the Formosan termites because they have the largest colonies. It is pretty easy to spot a Formosan Termite as they have a distinct color, i.e., a darkish yellow, brown color.

* Dry wood termites

Apart from all these types, there are also two other species of termites - Drywood termites and Dampwood termites. Drywood termites can be found along the Gulf Coast and also along the California west coast. As is evident, they live mostly near to the coastal areas and they hardly need any moisture for their survival. They also may not need any contact with the ground and can still carry out their operation with sufficient ease. They usually feed on house wood, furniture, utility poles and dying trees. They can cause tremendous damage over a period of time and they may not be easily detected too!

This kind of termite  can frequently be spotted in many regions where the weather is hot and dry. Four main species of this drywood termite is,

  • Southeastern drywood termite,
  • West Indian drywood termite,
  • Western drywood termite and
  • Desert drywood termite.

These are the kind of termite which mainly attacks frames, wood structure, flooring and the furniture. They get their complete nutrition from woods, and they do require moisture unlike the other varieties of termites to survive which is the major reason that they are called drywood termites. They are one of the most difficult varieties of termite to treat. They can create multiple colonies inside a house. Though they can rarely be seen in cooler climates, they do have the ability to survive in cooler climates if they get the right condition.

* Dampwood termites

Like drywood termites, numerous dampwood termites can make life without soil. They are pulled in to the wood with high dampness content and have an inclination for rotting wood, zones with breaks and heaps of wood. These termite writes have rosy dark colored heads and are bigger than different termites. Because of their requirement for a free water source, dampwood termites are more averse to attack a home.

On the other hand, dampwood termites generally live near to open water sources and can be easily found in damp, rotting conditions. This species of termite is very common in Pacific Coast states. They generally infest decaying and damp timber and may not need any type of soil contact for their survival. Ideally, a mulch or rotting wood can be a suitable place for their colony. Fecal pellets produced by them are generally an indication of their presence. They can enter a property through the wood which has been exposed to damp soil considerably. There are many sub-species of dampwood termites and all of them swarm to produce new nests during the seasons of January to October.

While termites are more typical in southern territories, termites exist in each state the nation over, aside from Alaska. The ideal approach to deal with termites is to keep them from regularly entering your home. A nuisance administration expert can enable you to build up a fight want to perseveringly battle both present and future termites. So, if you locate these little "white ants" in or close to your home, shed, wooden fence, and so forth don't waver to call an irritation control proficient to complete an investigation and after that discover what your choices are for taking out these bugs. Try not to release them on unchecked in light of the fact that they will wind up costing you thousands. The normal cost for termite treatment and repair of harms is over $8,000.

* Conehead termites

Unlike the other termites, the Conehead termite does not depend on underground burrowing to movement. Rather, they scavenge on the ground like ants, which enables them to spread rapidly. Conehead termites assemble dull dark colored "mud" tubes and unsupported homes on the ground, in trees or wooden structures. The homes can be up to 3 feet in breadth and have a hard surface of bit wood.  

Conehead termites are an amazingly forceful termite species known for causing broad property harm in a brief timeframe. Extra research into the species and treatment alternatives are basic to controlling this dangerous bug's spread, or else a huge number of dollars in harm can be normal.

Recognizing Termites From the Damage Inflicted by Them

It is possible looking at the damages that have been caused by termites to determine which species is responsible for it. It can provide a clue for the type of damage that has been inflicted upon a structure. Based on it, one can find out a correct treatment plan that can be developed for getting rid of them. Then, people may not have to ponder the question 'what do termites look like?' Some of the useful clues looking at a property are mentioned here.

- Subterranean termites damage

Termites Subterranean

Subterranean termites generally start their march from below the ground and progress upward. They usually gain access to a property through some substructure. Properties that have crawl spaces can be at tremendous risks. While searching for any evidence, these are the places that can show up mud tubes or damaged wood in considerable amounts. These termites usually make hollow tunnels or galleries along the grain of the wood.

Drywood termites damage

Drywood termites are different from their subterranean counterparts and they may start entering a property from the top downwards or any type of open crevice that can be there on the roof. They can start building their colony from there onwards. If there is any proof of damaged wood in the turret, it can be a pointer towards drywood termite colonies. Small holes in wood with accompanying frass can also be a good way of understanding their presence. Probing within a wooden structure can also yield the galleries made by them. All of this can point to their presence substantially.   

The Most Common Signs of Termites Infestation

February 1989 --- Western Subterranean Termites in Wood --- Image by © George D. Lepp/Corbis

Now that you know what termites are and how they can destroy your property let us have a look at the signs which may indicate that there is an infestation of termites in your home. A termite invasion and harm can be wrecking your home or property. Termites are regularly called the "noiseless destroyer" since they might be subtly covering up and flourishing in the yard or home with no immediate indications of harm. All termites devour cellulose-based plant materials. Tragically, all homes, paying little respect to their development write, can give cellulose sustenance to termite invasion.

Here are the top signs which will help you to decide whether there is a termite colonial taking place. Here they are:  

  • A brief swarm of winged bugs in your home or from the dirt around your home.
  • Any split or foaming paint or feces (termite droppings).
  • Wood that sounds empty when tapped.
  • Mud tubes on outside dividers, wooden pillars or in creep spaces.
  • Disposed of wings from swarmers.

How do You Get Exposed to Termite Infestation? 

Termites attack homes by intersection from their settlements in yards to establishments. Breaks or holes around channels and wires give the bugs access inside. Property holders can likewise get termites from:

  • Wooden structures, like patios and decks, in coordinate contact with the ground  
  • Heaps of kindling that incline toward the house
  • Clammy soil close establishments from spilling fixtures, canals, or downspouts
  • Trees and bushes planted near the building.
  • Over the ground areas in the house that stay sufficiently clammy to help termites without them expecting to come back to the damp conditions found in the dirt.

And now the questions remain, how harmful are they and how threatening they are. How threatening can they be to humans?

Can Termites Bite People or Animals ?

Well, Termites have a rank known as solider who are in charge of the protection of the colony. This is like trooper honey bees or ants (all hive write creepy crawlies have a related social structure) whose sole reason in life is to secure their province. Their bodies are more suited for safeguarding their termite settlements from attacking for creepy crawlies such as ants than the labourer termites.

These fighter or ruler termites regularly have a bigger head and bigger mandibles (jaws) than the worker termites and are not very hard to distinguish.

Many people lives in the fear that their pets may get attacked by termites. So, let us discus a few point on the how dangerous these termites are. So, are termites harmful to pets?

Well, technically termites can nibble you or your pet; however, it is impossible that you will ever encounter this. If any sort of termite could hurt you, this would be the person who could cause the most torment. Try not to stress, however. Generally, termites don't tend to chew individuals or pets. They want to remain oblivious openings of the passages they make inside the wood and utilize their vitality extending their provinces and eating up the cellulose inside the wood and other plant material.

Other than the way that they want to invest their energy inconspicuous in the shadows termites are likewise moderate little animals. This would make it considerably more troublesome for them to assault you or a pet. The main time termites can move genuinely quickly is the point at which they develop wings amid the grown-up phase of their life. These swarmers at that point take off in the scan for another state.  

I have known about individuals getting nibbled by flying termites previously yet once more; this is exceptional. These could be ants too since ants too grow wings as they develop into their grown-up phase of life.

​How to Handle a Termite Bite?

On the off chance that a termite bites you, it would likely not feel a mess not the same as a mosquito nibble or an exact moment squeeze.

You most likely won't feel anything unless they happen to nibble you in a zone on your body where your skin is generally thin, for instance on the soft skin that is located between the fingers. The disturbance or agony ought to die down following a couple of days, and you don't generally need to stress over contracting an illness or getting contamination as there are no archived instances of this incident to people from termite nibbles. There might be a slight consuming since the mandibles of termites are covered with a sort of spit that separates cellulose.

This spit may cause some aggravation or torment in specific individuals however the vast majority say it just feels like a little squeeze and the agony does not ordinarily keep going long. You will probably get a modest red recognize that ought to leave inside a day or two.

On the off chance that the spot of the termite nibble is aggravating or troubling you attempt some hydrocortisone or another kind of hostile to tingling cream.

On the off chance that it proceeds past one to two days you might need to see a specialist as this is far-fetched a termite chomp and could be from a sort of destructive creepy crawly

Appearance of Termite Bites 

As of now said previously, just in extremely unusual cases the nibbles of termites can be perilous and only if a man is unfavourably susceptible. In this way, when all is said in done, the bites of the termites are not destructive for individuals and pets.

The most noticeably lousy thing that can happen is the presence of red spots on the skin and the chomp is effortless, and you may not feel it by any means. This stain may not vanish until a few days.

Nibbles of termites can be even taken for mosquito bites. There might be mellow swelling and slight tingling, which should pass rapidly. Be that as it may, this happens once in a while for individuals with touchy skin and this can last up to 3 days.

How to keep off termites from invading your furniture ?

On the off chance that following three days the swelling endures, you should contact your specialist as it is conceivable that you were bitten by some other creepy crawly. Other conceivable offenders are bugs, insects, lice or bloodsuckers pinball. Regularly termites go into the house through the spots where wood contact with the ground. It implies that it's smarter to put the wood siding; entryway/window outlines and other wood things no less than 6 feet over the ground so that the termites can't reach the spot easily. Here are some of the best tips which will help youth to keep termites at bay.

Termites have a shrouded way of life and they only occasionally turn out. They adore dampness and daylight. So on the off chance that it is hot outside; take all the wooden furniture outside to dry it out. Or on the other hand, if you have an opportunity, you can solidify the termites in a broad ice chest.

Look at all the wooden structures in the house and the garden (mainly the old trees and the heap of wood) and on the off chance that you locate the spoiled parts, expel them instantly and supplant with another one.

Thoroughly assess your upper room and cellar, ensure its dry, as termites love to settle down in places where they approach dampness.

Treat all wood development with unusual arrangements that are sold in tool shops.

Termites are somehow a bit of equal regarding size to ants, which frequently prompts disarray. There are likewise a few unique sorts of termites, which can influence making sense of which to control strategy to utilize testing. Knowing the critical contrasts amongst ants and termites is a decent beginning stage for recognizable proof. Knowing the kinds of termites, you're managing is the following crucial factor for experts to decide. Inferable from their undercover nature, termites can be difficult to distinguish, particularly with an untrained eye. You are much more inclined to detect the indications of termite harm before you spot termites themselves. There are distinctive kinds of termites, yet there are some extremely dangerous species that like warm, clammy, zones. In this way, urban areas and regions like Miami, Atlanta, and Charleston can be influenced by these types of termite. Likewise, with some other nuisance, adjust distinguishing proof guarantees the utilization of the best control techniques and enables you to pick the most suitable counteractive action ventures to attempt and stay away from issues later on. You can examine alternatives, for example, synthetic hindrances or different strategies to repel termites.

Termites are one of the biggest threats to your home. You must be sure that your house is free of termites. To be sure, you need regular and through checkup of your whole house and every corner of it to be sure that there is no termite infestation taking place inside the furniture of your home.

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