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Eastern Subterranean Worker Termite
(Courtesy of Wikipedia) Eastern Subterranean Soldier Termites (Courtesy of Wikipedia) | Subterranean Termites What is a Subterranean Termite? There are many types of termites, however in Michigan, there is only one....the Subterranean Termite. This particular termite colony lives underground, may have more than a million colony members, is active 12 months out of the year, never sleeps and when entering a home only needs a crack 1/32". This colony consists of 4 main members. The Queen, the Soldier, the Worker and the Alate (Reproductive Swarmer). The Queen's sole job is to lay eggs which are tended to by the worker termites. The Soldier's job is to protect the colony from invaders such as ants. The Swarmer's duty is to grow wings and fly off to start a new colony. The Worker's job is to forage for food, build mud tubes for above ground movement and bring back food. Unfortunately, their food may be your largest investment...your home. Termites cause more damage than fires, floods, storms and hurricanes combined. | How Can I tell the difference between an Ant and a Termite reproductive?
Ant Vs. Subterrearean Termite
Wings
Carpenter Ants and Termites both have four wings (two pair); however, the wings of a termite are all the same size and the ant wings are much larger in the front compared to the wings in the rear. Ants may have a black dot near the tip of the front wings, and dark wing veins can be seen. Reproductive termite wing veins are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. Ant wings do not break off easily compared to termite wings which can break off from the slightest touch. You may see the broken wings from the swarming termites in a area that they have been crawling. Lastly, termite wings are roughly twice as long as the body.
Antennae Termites have an almost straight antennae; ants' antennae are elbowed. Waist Ants appear distinctly segmented , because of their pinched waist. Termite bodies are straight-sided with no constriction.
Carpenter Ants:
Carpenter ants are black or brown and measure up to 1" in length. They are often confused with termites during there reproductive cycle. (The time both species are seen with wings)
Carpenter ants can do significant structural damage, so, if seen, call Zebra Pest Control immediately.
There are several ways to recognize a carpenter ant infestation:
Swarmers: Winged form of the carpenter ant in a great number Sawdust: If you see sawdust (frass) raining from your ceiling or from any indoor cracks If you see more than 10 ants a day in any room other than the kitchen. If you see ants in your home and the ground outside is frozen. Crunching Noise: If you hear munching, rustling or crunching noise coming from within a window sill, wall or ceiling.
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