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Termites
Termites are small, wood destroying pests that invade approximately 600,000 homes in the United States each year, causing an estimated $5 billion in structural damage and termite control costs.
The eastern subterranean termite is the most common species in North America. They are the only native termite species found in New York and the northeastern United States.
These insects live in large, underground colonies that may number in the tens or hundreds of thousands (10,000–1,000,000 individuals). Colonies are highly organized, with a hierarchical structure comprised of 3 main castes:
Eastern Subterranean Termite (Worker)
Reticulitermes flavipes
Workers typically make up between 90–98% of the colony. They’re responsible for foraging, building tunnels, and caring for the young.
Subterranean termite workers construct mud tubes to help them travel between their colony and outside food sources.
These tubes are usually 1/4–1 inch in diameter and made from dried mud, soil, and wood particles. They resemble muddy patches or lines spreading like veins across the walls and ceilings of an infested structure.
(Photo: PestWorld.org)
Size: 1/8–1/4 inch long (3–6 mm); about the length of a flax seed
Color: Creamy white
Shape: Narrow, oval-shaped body with a broad waist, straight antennae, and 6 legs
Legs: 6 legs
Antennae: Straight, beady antennae
Head: Round head with no eyes and small, hardened jaws for chewing wood
Body: Soft, narrow body with a broad waist connecting its thorax and abdomen, making the two sections appear as one; its abdomen has 10 segments with a pair of short cerci at the end
Eastern Subterranean Termite (Soldier)
Reticulitermes flavipes
Soldiers typically make up 2–4% of an eastern subterranean termite colony. They’re responsible for protecting workers and defending the nest from ants and other insects.
Despite the menacing look of their large mandibles, they are harmless to humans. They only bite if handled, and their bites are neither painful nor dangerous in any way.
(Photo: Peter Coffey)
Size: 1/8–1/4 inch long (3–6 mm); about the length of a flax seed
Color: Light yellow to orange-brown
Shape: Narrow body with a large, rectangular head, broad waist, straight antennae, and 6 legs
Legs: 6 legs
Antennae: Straight, beady antennae
Head: Look for a large, rectangular, orange-brown head with long, black, pincer-like mandibles; its head is wider than the rest of its body
Body: Soft, narrow body with a broad waist connecting its thorax and abdomen, making the two sections appear as one
Eastern Subterranean Termite (Swarmer)
Reticulitermes flavipes
Termite swarmers, or “alates,” are commonly mistaken for flying ants because of their long wings and small, dark-colored bodies.
In the spring, swarmers emerge in large numbers to reproduce and establish new colonies. They are poor fliers and don’t travel more than 300 feet away from the colony. Indoors, they are usually spotted around doors and windowsills.
When two swarmers successfully pair up, they discard their wings to mate and start a new colony (becoming the new queen and king).
(Photo: Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org)
Size: 3/8–1/2 inch long (10–12 mm); about the length of a sunflower seed
Color: Dark brown to black
Shape: Narrow body with a broad waist, straight antennae, 6 legs, and 4 translucent wings of equal length
Legs: 6 legs
Antennae: Straight, beady antennae
Head: Round head with small, compound eyes
Body: Soft, narrow body with a broad waist connecting its thorax and abdomen, making the two sections appear as one
Wings: 2 pairs of long, narrow wings that extend beyond its abdomen; translucent and milky-white or gray in color; forewings and hindwings are equal in length
