Common North American Termites Species

Before deciding whether or not you have a termite infestation, it is important to recognize what kind of insect you have crawling in your home's walls or foundation. Not only are there many different kinds of insects that are similar looking to termites but there are a variety of termite species as well. That may mean calling a professional exterminator to help identify what specific type of termites you are dealing with, since different types of termites require slightly different treatment methods.

Subterranean termites inhabit the southern part of the United States and are the most common of all termites. These are the underground termites that travel through mud in search of moist places for habitation. Subterranean termites make up about 90% of all termite infestations in the U.S. Within the subterranean termites, there are several species such as the Eastern subterranean termite, arid land subterranean termite, Formosan termite, and the western subterranean termite. Formosan termites are a huge problem in states such as Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. A subterranean termites have a pale white body.

There are also drywood termites which live in drywood instead of wet mud burrows. These guys are perfectly happy living inside your home. Things like furniture are even a possible colony location. Drywood termite colonies tend to be much smaller than other types of termite colonies. These termites do not need moisture to survive. These termites are most popular in Southern California and the Gulf Coast. Drywood termites have cream colored bodies.

It is possible to have both types of termites at the same time so it is important to recognize this and use the different treatments necessary to exterminate the two varieties.

Be sure to look carefully when examining your infestation insect as carpenter ants are often mistaken for termites. Carpenter ants have red and black or brown bodies and have a thin neck and thin waist. Both termites and carpenter ants have wings but termites wings' are the same size and carpenter ants have one pair of wings that are slightly smaller than the other pair.

Another important thing to remember when trying to identify termites is that subterranean termites only swarm in the United States during the spring months. Subterranean termites are also very poor flyers and typically their wings will fall off. Therefore, if you find piles of broken wings around the infested area, it is likely you have subterranean termites.

With any insect infestation, especially termites, it is important to assess the situation right away as the problem will not go away but only get worse!