Termites in Texas

Termites are destructive, wood-eating pests found living across most of the United States, including the North Dallas area of Texas. Eastern subterranean termites are the most common termite species found living in our area. These termites nest underground and feed on the cellulose found in plants, wood, and other organic materials.

In nature, termites are beneficial as they help break down decaying plants and trees and then release those nutrients back into the soil. However, when living inside a home or other building, they can cause significant structural damage.

What a termite looks like depends on what caste they are a part of and their job within the colony.

• Worker termites are wingless, soft-bodied, and look similar in size and shape to a white or cream-colored ant. The workers make up the majority of the termite colony and gather food for the entire colony.
• Soldier termites look similar to workers, except their heads are large, elongated, and more yellowish. Soldiers have large, pincher-like mouthparts (mandibles) that are darker than the rest of their head. They use these mouthparts to defend themselves and their colony.
• Swarmers are the reproductive members of the colony and are responsible for creating new colonies. They have two pairs of wings that are equal in length and about twice their body size. The body of the reproductive termite is reddish-brown. Size-wise, swarmers are the largest member of the colony, aside from the queen, growing to about 1/2 an inch in length.

Are Termites Dangerous?

Though termites present no real threat to humans, they are responsible for causing billions of dollars worth of damage to properties across the United States each year. Therefore, they are considered dangerous pests. After invading a home, termites will begin to feed on its structural wood and continue to do so day and night until they are forced out through professional pest control services. In that time, they can cause quite extensive damages. As they tunnel inside the wood they have invaded and feed on it, they can eventually weaken the structural integrity of your home. Termite damage can be quite expensive to repair and is not covered by homeowners' insurance.

Why Do I Have a Termite Problem?

There are several reasons that termites may be attracted to properties, including:

• The presence of decaying wood that has been damaged by water or in direct contact with soil on the property.
• There is an ample supply of food sources such as fallen trees, tree stumps, decaying firewood, and piles of leaves or grass.
• Once inside, termites head straight for any structural wood that has been damaged by water. After establishing their colony, they will move on to sound wood and may even begin feeding on bricks, insulation, drywall, furniture, and carpeting.