Termites | Des Moines, IA
What Do Termites Look Like?
The average termite size range from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length, with the king and queen termites getting as big as 1 inch long. A termite's body tends to be pale in color and have two wings if it is a flying termite.
What Do Termites Feed On?
Termites are known as detritivores, meaning they feed on dead trees and plants. These pests get most of their nutrients from cellulose, which is an organic fiber in plant and wood material. Though termites are most often known to feed on wood, they do consume a lot of other materials such as plastic, paper, drywall, etc. Due to their ability to tear wood material with their mouth, termites can become a serious nuisance to homeowners. If gone unnoticed, termites can feed on a home's foundation, furniture, bookshelves and more.
How Do Termites Create New Colonies?
It is throughout the spring months that termites leave their colonies to mate. During this time the termites couple off, lose their wings and then create new colonies as kings and queens. The immature termites are to take on one of three roles: soldiers, workers, or reproductives.
What Are The Signs of a Termite Infestation?
There are various signs that can indicate you have a termite infestation. The first and most prominent sign of termites is cracked or bubbled paint. Follow up signs consist of mud tubes on the exterior of the walls, crawl spaces, etc. as well as wood that appears to sound hollow when tapped on.
Termite Fast Facts
- Termites are one of the rare insect species that live in colonies consisting of an equal number of males and females, even in the soldier caste.
- Approximately 2,300 species of termites are known to exist on earth.While a serious threat to wooden structures, termites are also beneficial. Their ability to digest cellulose helps these insects recycle the nutrient base of the planet.
- In recorded history, termites have never developed resistance to any type of pesticide. Termites' survival is due in part to the queen's "royal taster system," in which the colony's workers taste and process all food before it is fed to the queen.
- Termite workers and soldiers are blind, which means they rely on their sense of touch and chemical signals to help them locate food, moisture and shelter.
Des Moines Pest Control Service | Termite Removal
Are termites taking over your home? Let the pest professionals at Preferred Pest help! As the leading Des Moines exterminator, our technicians will eliminate the problem quickly and efficiently.
Schedule an appointment online or call us at
(515) 276-7277 today.