Termites Found in the Metro D.C Area

There are very few people that are not familiar with termites. Their destruction on buildings is notorious due to their insatiable appetite for wood and cellulose materials.  Termites are the cause of billions of dollars a year in damages to homes and business throughout the country.  As they carve through the wood to consume their edible delights, the structure is only getting weaker.  With the various termites found in the world there are a few more common in your own backyard.  We at Eagle Pest Services would like to briefly discuss the more common termites in Virginia and the Metro D.C. area; the Eastern Subterranean Termite and on a lesser scale, West Indian Powderpost Termites.

Termite Colony Caste; Swarmers, Soldiers & Workers

Generally living as social insects, termite colonies are comprised of three castes: Swarmers, Soldiers, and Workers.  As with most social insect colonies, the king and mostly the queen rule the colony, where the soldiers are naturally designed to protect the colony, followed by the workers that do everything else; caring for the king and queen as well as the younglings, foraging for food, building the nest, and so forth.

- Swarmers are a part of the reproducers, once the colony is established they will set out to begin a new colony.  They are the only termites equipped with wings and they shed them once the termites acquire a new location to begin the new colony.

- Guarding the colony, the soldiers are the protectors from their natural predators as well as from ants, a million year feud. With their enhanced, armored up heads and tough mandibles they are able to defend their nest. Not only will they emerge when predators attack, but they will strut out of the nest when a tunnel collapses to ensure the safety of the workers white it is rebuilt.

- With a greater portion of the responsibilities, the workers contribute the most.  As mentioned earlier, they are hard at work collecting food for the colony, take caring of the royal family and raising the younglings in addition to constructing the nest.

How Do Termites Get In Your House

Living in the soil as subterranean termites do, they will bring damp soil into the wood they infest.  More often than not, people can see the mud tubing that leads to the wood they are feasting on, or at least started to tunnel through.  Because they rely on the soil to survive, subterranean termites often gain entry to homes from where the foundation connects to the soil. The West Indian powderpost termites are likely to be infesting your wood furniture as previously mentioned, and are often brought into the home or business on new purchases.    

Signs of Termite Infestations

Below are several obvious red flags you may dealing with a termite infestation.  If one or more of these indicators apply, contact Eagle Pest Services immediately and let us get the termites removed quickly and efficiently before they are able to impose any more costly damages.

1) Fecal matter that resembles tiny pellets.

2) Mud tube construction; usually connected to walls or pillars for added stability.

3) Increased activity of swarmers.

4) Damaged or hollowed out wood, especially sagging floors, ceilings, or walls.

5) Shed wings piled up, often along windows and next to baseboards.

Termite Inspection & Control Treatment

When it comes to termite invasions, the Eastern subterranean termites is the likely suspect, but West Indian powderpost termites are a possibility, especially if termites are invading furnishings. There is also a slim chance drywood termites or dampwood termites are infesting your structure, but not likely as they are not native to the area. If you suspect termites, it is important to call a professional pest control company like Eagle Pest Services. We can conduct a thorough inspection, identify the species of termites infesting your home and present a custom treatment plan to best exterminate these damaging pests. Contact us today!