Termites

One of the most common questions we receive related to termites is indentification. As in, are they ants or termites. The graphic to the right helps to identify if the flying insect found is an ant or termite. Note that the termite has wings that are similar in size and are approximately double the length of the body. Also the body has no waist, and the antenna are straight. By comparison the ant has a defined waist, the wings are only slightly longer than the body and are not equal in length, and the antenna have elbows. If you encounter large numbers of these inside your home, save a few and vacuum the rest. These are reproductives they don't eat wood, and don't spray them because the wings tend to stick to surfaces when wet and can be difficult to remove. Shown below viewed left to right: Dampwood soldier, and a subterranean worker.

In Florida we have a subterranean termite and a drywood termite that are of economic concern. Termites can be troublesome and can cause significant structural damage if ignored. The different varieties will require different treatment methods, so accurate identification is necessary to deal with a termite issue. Termite inspections for suspected problems is free, so call if you have an area of concern. Shown below from top to bottom : Larva, worker, nymph, and neotenic termites.