Termites infesting your Arizona home? Here's how to identify them and what to do
Termites, found on every continent except Antarctica, are often referred to as "silent destroyers." These small, social insects live in colonies and spend their lives primarily in search of cellulose-rich food sources such as wood.
Termites can be a homeowner's nightmare, causing extensive structural damage to houses and other buildings, so it's crucial to understand their presence, signs of infestation and how to treat and prevent termite problems.
Regular inspections, maintenance of moisture levels, and minimizing wood-to-soil contact are key steps in preventing a termite infestation that could cause costly damage to your property.
Here's how to tell if you have termites in Arizona and how to get rid of them.
What are termites?
Termites are small insects that live in colonies that can vary in size from a few individuals to millions, depending on the species.
“People commonly call them white ants but, of course, they're not ants at all. They're very distantly related. They just have similar habitats like living underground and things like that,” said Gillian Gile, associate professor at the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University.
Termites feed on cellulose, a complex organic compound found in plant material, wood and other fibrous substances. They play a crucial role in ecosystems by breaking down dead and decaying wood and plant matter.
“A lot of termites actually are really helpful in their ecosystem," Gile said. "They break down wood and organic matter and help release the nutrients into the soil and things like that.”
What do termites look like?
Termites have distinct characteristics, Gile said.
“They have six legs, a small head and they have sort of a thorax and abdomen. You often don't see them because they like to hide. They're sort of pale and they have a dark sclerited outer surface so they dry out easily and they're sensitive to light,” Gile said.
Termites' specific features can vary depending on the species and their caste within the colony. Here are some general descriptions of what termites look, like according to Terminix:
Workers: Worker termites are typically pale, soft-bodied and relatively small. They have a light color, often translucent or cream-colored.
Soldiers: Soldier termites are larger and more robust than workers. They are equipped with well-developed mandibles (jaws) that they use for defense. Soldiers can have a slightly darker or more yellowish coloration compared to workers.
Reproductives: These are the king and queen. The king, usually smaller than the queen, has wings and may resemble a dark antlike insect. The queen is typically much larger and has a darker or blackish color.
Alates: Alates are the winged reproductive termites that leave the colony during a swarm to establish new colonies. They have two pairs of wings that are shed once they establish a new colony. Alates can look similar to flying ants, but they can be distinguished by their straight, bead-like antennae and a broad waist, as opposed to ants, which have elbowed antennae and a narrow waist.
Are termites a big problem in Arizona?
Gile says termites are not as big of a problem in Arizona as they are in some other states.
“South Florida has a really bad termite problem where they're eating all the trees and, and in the French Quarter in New Orleans they have a really bad termite problem because they're eating all the old houses,” said Gile.
“Here in Arizona it's fairly dry and the termites that we do have are fairly slow compared to some of the really nasty invasive pests that you see other places.
"If you have termites in your house, it's a drag but it's usually a very kind of slow issue.”
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What to know about subterranean termites in Arizona
Gile said there are about 3,000 species of termites and very few of them are pests to humans.
Subterranean termites tend to be more of a problem because they're hard to get rid of since they live underground and are harder to detect and eradicate.
“Subterranean termites, as you would expect from the name, they live underground, they nest underground and they forage for wood that's in contact with the ground or partially buried, which includes houses and structures outside of houses,” said Gile.
“The ones that impact humans tend to have really large colony sizes, so you'll have hundreds of thousands or millions of termites in a single colony and then they can forage and have little areas in their nest underground, sort of dispersed and then they can get up into a wood resource which might be your house and bring resources back to the nest.”
Termites with wings: What to know about flying termites
Flying termites are often a sign of a termite swarm. They are also known as swarmers or alates, and they are responsible for starting new colonies. Swarming is a natural part of the termite life cycle and typically occurs in the spring, after a rain shower or with the onset of the monsoon in Arizona.
Flying termites have two pairs of wings that are roughly equal in size and have straight antennae. They are often light to dark brown or black in color.
What are the signs of termites in your house?
If you think you have subterranean termites, look for little mud tubes.
“You'll see if you look around the outside of your house ... you'll see this little mud tube going vertically that the termites actually build like a tunnel for themselves,” said Gile. “They like to hide, they can't handle the sun and they dry out easily, so they'll build this little mud tube to get over that slab to where there's some juicy wood for them to eat.”
Gile said mud tubes can be found anywhere, such as coming up through a crack between your floor and your wall.
Here are signs that you have termites:
Discarded wings: After a termite swarm, you may find discarded wings near windows, doors or other entry points. Termites shed their wings once they find a suitable location to establish a new colony.
Wood damage: Tap or push on suspected infested wood; if it sounds hollow or breaks easily, it may be a sign of termite damage.
Blisters in wood flooring: Subterranean termites can damage wood flooring, causing it to blister or bubble. If your wood floors have unexplained irregularities, it may be worth investigating.
Hollowed wood: Check wooden structures like beams, window frames and door frames for signs of hollowness or a mazelike pattern within the wood. Termites consume wood from the inside, leaving the outer surface intact.
Frass (termite droppings): Subterranean termites push out their waste, known as frass, through small holes in the infested wood. It looks like tiny pellets and can accumulate below the infested area.
Tunnels in wood: Dry-wood termites create tunnels within the wood, which can be visible if you break open the infested piece.
How long before termites destroy a house?
Every situation is different. In some cases, significant damage can occur within a few years. In others, it may take years or even decades.
To protect your home from termite damage, get regular inspections by pest control professionals, maintain proper ventilation and moisture control and address wood-to-soil contact issues. Early detection and timely treatment are key to preventing severe damage.
How can you tell how long you've had termites?
Determining how long you've had termites can be challenging. It's not easy to pinpoint the exact timeline of infestation. These indicators may provide clues about the duration of a termite infestation, according to the University of Arizona:
Wood damage: Extensive damage typically indicates a longer infestation. For example, widespread structural damage or hollowed-out wood suggests that termites have been active for a significant period.
Mud tubes: The condition of mud tubes created by subterranean termites can offer a clue. Tubes that are old and weathered may suggest a longer-standing infestation, while newer, fresher tubes indicate recent activity.
Frass accumulation: In the case of dry wood termites, the amount of termite droppings (or frass) is another clue. Larger accumulations of frass may imply a more extended infestation.
Signs of previous swarms: If you find discarded wings from termite swarms in various locations around your property, it may indicate multiple swarming events and therefore a longer-term presence of termites.
Historical records: If you have access to historical records of your property, such as inspection reports or previous treatment records, this information may provide insights into the timeline of termite activity.
If you suspect a long-term infestation, hire a professional pest control expert to assess the assess the extent of the infestation, current activity level of the termites and any damage they have caused.
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How quickly do termites spread?
It's tough to determine the rate of spread. It depends on factors such as how large an area has been infested and what other structures have been affected, as well as the species and environmental conditions.
“It takes a lot for a colony to get established. So there's enough pressure of termites around here that over the years, if you have like, wooden door frames or whatever, probably eventually you're going to get a colony,” said Gile.
“But when the colonies start to reproduce, when those adults are formed with wings to go and start new colonies, most of them die, most of them don't make it. They get eaten by birds or they, you know, or they drown in your pool.”
What time of day are termites most active?
Termites tend to be most active during certain times of the day, and their activity patterns can vary depending on the species. In general, termites in metro Phoenix are more active during the spring and early summer when they are swarming and establishing new colonies, often after a rain.
“When I mostly see them, like with the subterranean termites that we have around here, is during our monsoon season in the summer,” said Gile. “When we get a good rain, then it stops and then all of a sudden you'll see termites flying out of the ground here there and everywhere. So it's the humidity that's kind of a signal for them to swarm.”
Gile said another type of subterranean termite in Arizona prefers higher elevations.
“They swarm like in January. You're likely not to see the termites except when they're swarming. Unless you open an infested piece of wood or turn over a log or something,” said Gile.
What kills termites the fastest?
The speed of termite elimination can vary depending on the type of termite, size of the colony and the treatment method. It could take a few weeks or even months to eradicate the entire colony. Here are options for killing termites quickly, according to This Old House:
Professional termite treatment: Hiring a licensed pest control professional is often the fastest and most reliable way to eliminate a termite infestation. Professionals have access to specialized termiticides and equipment for targeted treatment. They can apply chemical barriers, baits or other methods to eliminate termites.
Termiticides: Liquid termiticides are applied to the soil around the perimeter of the structure, creating a chemical barrier that deters termites.
Termite bait stations: These can be placed strategically around your property and contain bait that is carried back to the colony by foraging termites. The bait can disrupt and eventually eliminate the colony. The baits are poisonous; do not use if children or pets are present.
Fumigation: Fumigation is reserved for severe and extensive termite infestations. It involves sealing the structure and introducing a gas that penetrates the wood and kills the termite.
How to prevent termites in Arizona
For subterranean termites, Gile advises not having any wood parts of your house in contact with the soil.
“Be careful about your house and where the trimming is all around, or if you have like an outbuilding or something that's in contact with the soil, they will find it, they will eat it,” said Gile. “They're looking for a little crack that they can crawl into and be safe while they start laying eggs and founding a new colony. So if you have cracks and holes then you're a lot more likely to get an infestation.”
Do termites bite?
The termites we have in the United States do not bite, sting or harm you.
“They're really gentle. I mean, they eat your house, which is terrible, but you hold them safely, they can't hurt you,” said Gile.
Some termites that live in the tropics are much bigger than U.S. species and they have serious mandibles that can draw blood, Gile said.
Are termites harmful to dogs or cats?
Termites are not typically harmful to dogs or other pets. If a dog were to ingest a large number of termites, it could cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
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Can termites make you sick?
Termites are not known to transmit diseases. They do not carry pathogens or parasites that can cause illness in humans like some other pests do, such as mosquitoes or ticks.
Can termites get in your bed?
Termites are not typically found in or attracted to beds or bedding materials. Termites primarily feed on wood, paper and plant debris, and they seek out hidden, dark and damp environments. Bedrooms and beds do not provide the ideal conditions or food sources for termites.
“It would be a bizarre sort of coincidence. They have no interest in your bed at all, for sure. They're not going to intentionally go in there,” said Gile.
Are termites worse than bed bugs?
Termites and bed bugs are both problematic, but they have different characteristics, behaviors and impacts.
Termites are generally considered worse than bed bugs when it comes to potential damage to your property. Termite infestations can result in extensive repair costs and can affect the structural integrity of your home.
Bed bugs, on the other hand, are more of a nuisance and can cause discomfort but are not a direct threat to the structural integrity of your property. But ridding from your home is an effort and can be expensive if you need to call a professional.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Termites are silent home wreckers. Here's what to do about them
