Termites Winged Ants

Ants go through four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Worker ants live for a few months, while queens can live for years. In contrast, the termite life cycle includes egg, nymph (larvae), and adult phases. Most termites survive for a couple years, while termite queens may live for decades.

Both types of pests have similar reproductive cycles. During warm months, fertile winged ants and termites fly from their nests to mate and establish new colonies. In ant species, the male partners typically die after mating with the females. After termites mate, both male and female partners live on and continue to expand their new colonies. Both ants and termites lose their wings after mating. Termites have straight antennae and wide bodies without pinched waists. They are characteristically black or dark brown. Swarmers, or flying termites, have clear front and back wings that are the same length. More about what a termite looks like.

In contrast, ants have elbowed antennae and pinched waists. Their bodies can be black, brown, or reddish. Flying ants have two pairs of brown-tinted wings that differ in size.

 

Termites Winged Ants

Introduction

Termites are the most destructive and costly pests for homeowners. Termites can cause serious damage to homes, in many cases resulting in thousands of dollars worth of repairs. With the proper knowledge on how to identify termites and treat a termite infestation, you can save your home from major structural damage.

How To Get Rid Of Termites

If you have termites, there are several ways to get rid of them. You can use one or a combination of the following options:

• Set out bait stations around your home.
• Use natural repellents like diatomaceous earth to prevent termites from entering your home.
• Call an exterminator if you think that a professional would be better able to handle the infestation than you are!

Best Methods

• Chemical control: This is the most common way of getting rid of termites. It involves using chemicals to attack the termite’s nervous system, which eventually kills them. The problem with this method though is that it may take a few days or even weeks before you can see results and also it requires professional help as well as protective gear, such as gloves and face masks to prevent yourself from inhaling or ingesting any chemical fumes which could be harmful for your health.
• Fumigation: This method involves releasing poison gas into an area where there are termites hiding so that they will die after breathing in this poisonous gas. This method has similar risks as chemical control but is more effective since the poisonous gas kills all types of insects including roaches, spiders etc., thus making your home pest free for good! However, fumigation works best when used in combination with other methods like prevention or traps/baits since some species survive even after being exposed directly by these gases (i-e subterranean ants).

Subterranean Termite Control

Termites are attracted to wood. They feed on cellulose, which is a common component of most building materials, including lumber and paper.

Termites can cause structural damage to your home, as well as health problems for you and your family. Termites can also create financial problems for you if they become a regular problem or if their infestation is severe enough that it requires extensive repair work in order for you to continue living in the property.

Chemical Termite Control

Chemical termiticides have been shown to be effective for the control of subterranean termites. The most common method used by many professional pest control operators is to inject soil with liquid baits near the foundation or crawl space of buildings. These chemical termiticides are applied directly into contact with termites as they pass through their galleries, where they take in enough poison to kill them but not humans or pets that come into contact with it. This treatment can also be done at a low cost because homeowners do not have to hire a professional pest control operator every time they want something treated. They just need to buy chemicals from a local store and apply it themselves with some help from Google on how much should be used for each area under consideration (usually about 0.5 gallons per 1 acre).

Fumigation Termite Control

Fumigation is the most effective method for killing termites and treating your home for infestations.

It is also the most expensive, but when you are dealing with a severe infestation it’s worth it. It involves using chemicals in an enclosed space to kill both crawling and flying insects, such as termites. The process requires specialized equipment and training on how to use fumigants safely and effectively; therefore, it should always be done by an experienced professional pest control company.

Heat Termite Control

The method of heat treatment is a non-toxic method of controlling termites. This treatment is effective in killing termites, as well as ants and other insects that may be living in or around your home. The heat treatment process involves heating the soil surrounding your home to 120 degrees Fahrenheit for a four-week period. This temperature causes any existing subterranean insect colonies nearby to either move away or die off completely. Heat treatments are also effective at killing flying ants, including carpenter ants, pavement ants and pharaoh ants

Prevention Tips

• Don’t leave food out. Store all food and other items that might be attractive to ants in tightly sealed containers.
• Don’t leave water out. Water sources include potted plants, fountains, fish tanks, old soda bottles and leaky pipes (the latter can be repaired using silicone caulk).
• Don’t leave wood out. Wood used for construction or landscaping is prime real estate for termites—don’t use it! And don’t store firewood under decks or porches; termites love the dark and damp conditions underneath these structures where they can build their nests undetected by humans until they are enormous colonies (see photo above).

There are many methods to get rid of termites.

There are many methods to get rid of termites. You can use a professional, do it yourself, or hire someone to do it for you. If you aren’t sure how to get rid of termites and don’t have time to research different methods, then hiring a professional would be the best option for you!

There are many ways that professionals will treat your home for termites:

• fumigation
• baiting systems (which involve installing traps in the ground around your property)
• exterior treatments where they spray directly on your home

Conclusion

Now that you know how to tell the difference between termites and ants, are you still uncertain about what’s in your home? We recommend contacting a pest control professional. They can help you evaluate the situation and determine your next steps.