Termite evidence comes in many different forms. However, the two most popular things people see prior to calling an exterminator are termite shelter tubes and swarming termites. The two may or may not be seen together.
Termite Shelter Tubes, One Form Of Termite Evidence
Termite shelter tubes or mud tubes are tubes made of mud and fecal matter, it’s one of the most visual forms of termite evidence found by homeowners. Termite shelter tubes are constructed with dirt and held together and kept moist by termite fecal matter. These tubes are the path that termites use to get to and from their food source. Termite mud from the eastern subterranean termite will also be found within the food source itself. The reason is that the mud brings moisture to the area and allows the termite to feed for a longer period of time. Without moisture termites can’t survive.
Another use for a termite mud tube is to protect the feeding workers from sunlight and natural predators such as ants, birds and the like. These termite workers are solely responsible for food gathering, building the tunnels and many other functions within a termite colony. Worker termites are also responsible for termite damage. If it weren’t for the workers a termite colony couldn’t exist.
Termite Swarming, A Second Form Of Termite Evidence
When a homeowner has termite evidence in the form of a swarm it usually is alarming enough that the next call they make is to a termite exterminator. Termite swarms in Connecticut usually take place from 10 am-2 pm, the weather is typically about 65-70 degrees, it’s spring and the day before it may have rained. If all those situations are in place and you have active termites there’s a better than average chance you’ll have a swarm.
What does a termite swarm look like? There is no ideal picture of a swarm. However, the picture to the right is of a recent swarm in Waterbury, CT. Notice the long white wings, these wings will drop and the newly swarmed termites will look to reproduce with one another and then head back to the soil. Mother nature usually will send hundreds of swarmers in hopes that some pairs will get together. More often than not what happens is that most of the termites will die and the homeowner will find them in the room from where they swarmed.
A classic sign of a swarm can be found in window sills. As with many flying insects termites head towards the light. By simply blowing onto the window sill you’ll see hundreds of small wings become airborne. Once you find this it’s imperative you call an exterminator. This is termite evidence that can’t be ignored.
If you have termites, call Envirocare Pest Control at 1-888-879-6481