Termites
The Silent Destroyers
Termites are widely known—and feared—for their ability to wreak havoc on homes. Termites eat the cellulose found in wood, and if they aren’t properly treated, you may face serious damage to your home. Learn more about how to spot the signs of termites, what causes them, and the best treatment options from the Dodson Pest Control team.
Termites At-A-Glance
Less than an inch long
Usually creamy white or shades of brown
Four types commonly found in the United States
Best known for eating wood and damaging homes
Concerned You Have a Termite Infestation?
Termite FAQs
Termites eat cellulose found in wood, paper, cardboard, drywall, and other plant materials. They do not actually eat the wood itself, but the cellulose inside it.
Termites live in colonies ranging from several thousand to millions of individuals. They have a social structure with different roles like the queen, king, workers, and soldiers.
Yes, several termite colonies can occupy and infest one area or home, but they do not intermingle between colonies.
A typical worker termite lives for about 2 years. However, the queen can live for decades.
Termites swarm to establish new colonies. Swarmers are the reproductive termites that leave to mate and start a new colony.
Signs include discarded wings from swarmers, mud tubes on surfaces, hollow-sounding wood, maze-like tunnels in wood, and the termites themselves.
No, termites and flying ants look similar but have key differences. Termites have straight antennae and wings of equal size, while ants have bent antennae and unequal wing sizes.
