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If you have termites,or think you might have termites, call Dayton Pest Control for a free consultation.

Termites are highly destructive to Douglas Fir, Pine and other common building timbers. They can rapidly eat out the internal sections of structural timbers - devouring mainly the spring wood, and preferring to leave the harder summer wood sections.

As a result, infested timbers are often left as a thin shell with a honey-comb of layered hollow sections packed with moist soil. These termites love a moist dark damp environment - it is essential for their survival.  The Eastern subterranean termite is a serious economic wood destroying insect causing millions of dollars of damage throughout North Texas. It is estimated that more than 1 in 5 homes in the high activity areas, have been or will be attacked at sometime by these voracious little insects.

Within a termite nest there are members of different castes, each with a different role to perform and all interdependent upon each other for survival of the colony. These include the queen, king, the winged reproductive (young kings and queens), soldiers and worker termites. The queen termite is an egg laying machine; her body is enormous compared to her off-spring; she can live more than 25 years and produce more that 2,000 eggs a day.

The workers are by far the largest caste in the eastern subterranean termite colony and the one that does the damage;  they are a creamy translucent color, soft bodied and carry out all work in the nest, including gathering food (timer and other cellulose); constructing tunnels; repairing and enlarging the colony nest; grooming each other and feeding the soldiers, the king, and the queen.

The soldiers are the defenders of the colony, particularly against marauding ants - with whom they have engaged in a relentless war lasting 250 million years. (Just like the movie!)

The soldier termite is usually the first to be seen in large numbers when any active termite workings (mud shelter tubes or damaged timber) are opened. Soldier termites will rush out to guard the opening while worker termites repair the breach.

The swarms or reproductive’s are commonly seen when they swarm during daylight; they have eyes; are poor fliers but are swept along by the wind.   They land, drop their wings, find a mate to become king and queen of a new termite colony.

Eastern subterranean termites swarm in large numbers over a wide area to find a mate from another colony to start up a NEW colony. A suitable location for nesting should provide moisture and a readily available timber food source close by.

The swarmers are emitted in the thousands when a mature termite nest is large and well established. Swarmers are usually produced after this period and are an indication a large termite nest is in the vicinity, a sure danger sign and a warning that professional protection is required.  If you see a swarm or think you might have termites, call Dayton Pest Control for a free  inspection. 214-774-2986