When pests invade your home, one of the things to worry about is getting itchy, painful, or potentially disease-transmitting bites. Fortunately, termites aren’t one of those pests that bite people.Â
Do Termites Bite People?
Wood, yes. People, no.
Termites have two protruding mandibles, or jaws, that help them chew through wood. Soldier termites, in particular, have large, menacing-looking mandibles that are used to protect their colonies from ants and other insects.
However, termites typically don’t bite humans. They aren’t aggressive insects and generally like to mind their own business of eating the wooden structures of your home.
Termites also build their nests and colonies either inside of wooden structures or underground, so it’s unlikely that you’ll unknowingly get so close that they feel threatened. And if you don’t come to them, they certainly won’t go out of their way to come to you either.
But while it’s highly unlikely that a termite would bite a person, it’s not impossible. For example, a soldier termite might bite you if you pick it up. And their jaws are quite powerful, so when they bite down on your skin it may feel like a solid pinch.
For the most part, as long as you leave termites alone (until you have your home treated by the exterminator), you shouldn’t worry about getting bit.
Are Termite Bites Dangerous?
Termite bites aren’t dangerous, even if you do get bit.Â
It may leave a red welt on your skin or cause short-term discomfort, but termites bites don’t cause any serious damage or transmit any known diseases.Â
Usually, the bite marks should fade away within 1 to 3 days.
As with any type of insect bite, it might be susceptible to infection if not cleaned and taken care of. If pain or discomfort worsens, or if you notice unusual symptoms such as fever or rash, seek medical attention.
While termite bites aren’t dangerous, the damage they can cause to your home certainly is. Termites cause approximately $5 billion in damage in the United States each year, and once they become established on your property, they can be very difficult and expensive to get rid of.
Protect Your Home from Termites
If you live in New York City or the Tri-State area, contact MMPC for professional termite inspections and termite control. We have over 25 years of experience providing customized, reliable, and eco-friendly termite services.
Our seasoned termite experts are happy to answer any questions you have about keeping your home and family safe from termite damage.