It’s Termite Time again!

So what exactly is a termite and what damage can they do to your home?

Termites cause economic damage when they feed on manmade wooden structures. The most common species of termite in our region is the eastern subterranean termite, which forms colonies of approximately one million individuals. These insects are soft bodied and remain in dark, humid places to avoid death by desiccation (drying out). Therefore, termites live in belowground nests and use mud tubes to access their aboveground food sources. Termites are able to digest wood based on the presence of a single-celled organism in their gut, unlike carpenter ants that only excavate wood for shelter. In a termite colony, young termites acquire these single-celled organisms by feeding on the shed skin of older termites.


Termite colonies divide labor between workers that collect food, soldiers that protect the colony, and reproductives that aid the King and Queen in producing new offspring. On average, 60% of termites in a colony are workers. When searching for food, workers will explore up to a half acre area around the nest and mark the trail to new food sources with a chemical. Termite colonies greater than one year old will swarm on warm, sunny days after a rain event this time of year (Feb-May). Swarming termites are dark in color with two pair of equal sized wings. If male and female swarmers meet up, they can mate and form a new colony.
Termite control is very effective and is based on the biology of the insect.  Worker termites will encounter strategically placed bait, feed on it and return to the colony. They will then feed and spread this bait to others in the colony. This means that for the most part, our pest management professionals do not use any sprays to treat for termites, reducing the amount of products released into the environment.

For recommended Rockland and Orange NY termite exterminators click here.