Georgia Termites | Roaches | Fire Ants

How They Look
Termites come in various sizes that are specific to their job within the nest.

Worker: 1/8- to 3/8-inch in length. Soldier: Body is similar to that of the worker, but large, deck head with powerful mandibles. Supplementary Reproductive: About one inch in length. Primary Reproductive: About one inch in length.

Here are color cues that can help identify termites that are common in Georgia. Worker: Pale, cream colored. Soldier: Light colored with brown head. Supplementary Reproductive: Light colored. Primary Reproductive: Dark brown/black.

Soldiers have an elongated head with pincer-like mandibles. Supplementary Reproductives have either no wings or very short non-functional wings, while Primary Reproductives have four wings of equal size until they are shed. Primary Reproductives are the termites most often seen in the open. They are commonly referred to as "swarmers."

What They Do
Although this particular termite is known to swarm in spring, small flights can occur at any time of the year. Swarming is how termites establish new colonies. As the colony grows, specialized castes are produced for the different tasks required. One caste produced is the workers. Another caste is the soldiers. And a third caste is the reproductives. Primary reproductives swarm and start new colonies. Although thousands of primary reproductives may be produced each year, they all leave the nest. Supplementary reproductives, on the other hand, can become reproductive only in the colonies in which they were born. They assist the primary king and queen in population growth of the colony.

Where They Live
Subterranean termites live in colonies in the ground and build vertical tunnels that look like mud tubes above ground level so that they can search for food. Because subterranean termites will die if exposed to air for an extended period of time, the tunnels provide protection from the open air, allowing workers to carry food to the nest. Subterranean termites can form tunnels through cracks in concrete, so slab homes are not exempt from these termites. They need to stay in contact with the soil in order to survive.

How To Control
There are several things a homeowner can do which can help prevent termite infestations or make them easier to detect:

1) Always store firewood away from the house.

2) Ensure that at least four inches of the foundation can be seen all around the home. Siding should not extend into the soil. Mulch and soil should not touch the siding as this provides an excellent medium for termites to move upward into the home.

3) Make sure water drains away from the foundation. Water accumulation should not happen anywhere around the foundation of the home. Rain gutters are ideal; however, the downspout should direct the water away from the home.

4) Roof or plumbing leaks can allow termites to survive above ground in a house. These should be corrected as soon as possible.

Trademark Pest Solutions inspectors ALWAYS examine the inside of your home - especially around toilets, water lines to refrigerators since plumbing leaks can attract termites.