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Are they ants or termites?
- For clues to help distinguish swarming termites from swarming ants,
examine the insects' wings, waist and antennae. While both insects have
two pairs of wings, termite wings are relatively equal in size. Ant
wings tend to be longer in front and shorter in back.
- Ants also have a narrow, pinched waist. Termites' waists are thicker
and less distinct.
- In addition, ants' antennae are elbowed, while termites' are
straight.
Why do termites behave the way they do?
- Subterranean termites are based in the soil, living in colonies that
may contain millions of individuals.
- Cellulose is food for termites and they get cellulose from wood or
anything made from wood. In nature, termites perform a valuable service
— breaking down dead trees and recycling the nutrients back into the
soil.
- Termites require moisture, warmth and protection in order to
survive. They build mud tubes to protect themselves as they leave the
soil to search for food.
- Most termites in the colony are workers, which forage 24 hours a day
for food to feed the other colony members. Some are soldiers, which
fight off predators. Only a few are reproductives, including the queen,
which can lay an egg every 15 seconds.
- When a termite finds a food source, it leaves a trail of pheromones,
a scent trail, to lead other workers to it. Workers then use the food
source to feed soldiers and reproductives, which cannot feed themselves.
- Swarming occurs when reproductive males and female termites leave
the old colony to start new families, usually in the spring.
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Guard yourself from attacks:
We can
help you Guard Against Termite Attack
- Fix Leaky Faucets And Water Lines
- Remove Wooden Trellises From Exterior Walls
- Ventilate Crawl Spaces To reduce Humidity
- Cover All Vents With 20-Mesh Non-Corroding Metal Screens
- Allow At Least 6 Inches Between Wood Siding, Foam Board or Stucco and The
Ground
- Grade Soil So Rainfall Flows Away From The Foundation, Avoiding Water
Build-up
- Eliminate Wood-to-Ground Contact Whenever Possible
- Fix Leaky Gutters To Avoid Moisture Build-up
- After Barrier Treatments, Don't Disturb Soil Within 18 Inches Of The
Foundation
- Keep Wood Piles Away From The Main Structure
- When Remodeling or Adding On, Contact Advanced Services To See About
Additional Termite Protection
Don't get caught with huge repair bills,
contact us today!
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