Pictures of Termites

Pictures of termites can help you identify these often hidden insects or detect signs of an infestation when termites invade your property. While some species build subterranean colonies in the soil surrounding your home, dry wood termites may take up habitation in the wooden structures of your house. Although you may never see anything but the evidence that these pests leave behind, the damage they do to the structure of your dwelling can be devastating.

Entomology text books, home renovation magazines and online galleries are excellent places to start your search for pictures of termites. Pictures are the best way to illustrate the telltale evidence of termites. By carefully reviewing these pictures, you can learn to identify the mud tubes that termites build to travel from their underground colonies into the foundations and walls of your home. You can also see pictures of their fecal pellets, discarded wings or the tiny kick-out holes and hollowed grooves that they leave in the wooden beams or baseboards of your dwelling.

Photos of Termite Species

Pictures of termites depict the most common species that invade human habitats. There are many species that do not pose a threat to homeowners, but simply carry out their colonization in remote areas. Most species are rarely visible to humans, except at certain points in their reproductive cycle. If you've been curious about the appearance of the species that are most likely to infest your residence, pictures of termites in entomology texts provide photos of these species.

Once you've used pictures to identify the most common termites, you will be better equipped to detect the insects if they appear around your house. Termite colonies can often be found in the moist soil near the foundations of your home, especially in areas where a leaky faucet or garden hose spreads extra moisture. Once the subterranean colonies have been established, the insects move on to invade the wooden structures outside or inside your residence. Fences, arbors, and wooden porches may be invaded, as well as the walls, beams and joists inside your dwelling.

Do-it-yourself treatments are rarely enough to eliminate these colonies on a permanent basis. A professional pest control service may inject gallons of liquid termiticide into the soil surrounding your house in order to eradicate the pests. Drills, rods and other professional tools are required to apply the liquid correctly. If a liquid treatment is injected according to the manufacturer's instructions, the chemical barrier should be effective for 5 years. Baits may also be used, either separately or in combination with liquid, to spread toxic substances throughout the colony.

Pictures of Swarming Termites

Pictures of termites in their swarming season may be the most helpful illustrations for homeowners who suspect that they have an infestation. If you see winged insects swarming around lighted doors or windows of your home in the Spring months, contact a licensed contractor for an inspection. Reproductive members of the colony develop wings for a brief period of time when the weather is moist and warm -- generally between March and May -- so that they may leave the colony to find mates and form colonies of their own.

Pictures of the winged reproductive insects will show you how they proceed through their cycle. Many of these insects are eaten by birds or other insects before they have a chance to form a new colony. After a brief period of time, the insects that survive shed their wings. In addition to seeing live winged pests, you may find discarded wings around the thresholds or windowsills during swarming season.

When you see pictures of termites swarming, you may realize that you have an infestation in your house. If you believe you've seen these pests, contact a professional pest control service for quotes on the cost of inspection and treatment. Pictures of termites swarming have helped many homeowners identify an infestation before structural damage became severe.

Professional pest control services can provide pictures of termites and the signs of infestation. These images can be extremely useful to homeowners who are trying to learn more about these secretive insects and their habits. Although the destruction that these pests cause can become extremely obvious, they may occupy a dwelling for years, or inhabit the soil around a home, without being seen by the people who live there.

Pictures of termites may motivate you to call a licensed inspector to arrange an inspection. Use the features on our site to gather quotes from several trusted local pest control services to find a team of reliable, highly experienced professionals. While most companies use a combination of liquid or bait to eradicate colonies, others combine these methods with non toxic approaches, such as sand or metal barriers. A trustworthy contractor will take the time to discuss all of your options before you commit to a treatment strategy.