Termites 101 - Identification

Termites are persistent pests with a voracious appetite for wood. Once they infest a structure, they are unlikely to leave without intervention. Arkansas’s humid climate is a haven for several types of termites, creating an unseen peril that every homeowner must vigilantly guard against.

The two most common types of termites in Arkansas are subterranean and drywood. Drywood termites are not native and are more likely to be introduced via infested wood. The most common and destructive termite species are subterranean termites, with the eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) being the most prevalent.

Termites live in a caste system very similar to ants. There are four varieties of termite within the caste system, each with its physical distinctions. When you spot a termite, whether winged or ground termites, knowing which type it is will help identify whether you have an existing or potential infestation.

Termite life starts and ends with the reproductive caste, consisting of male “kings” and female “queens”. Also known as alates, subterranean termite alates number several hundred or more. The alates will pair off and mate within a few minutes of taking flight. They then land, shedding their wings, and begin laying eggs and building a colony of termites. The eggs hatch into larvae. Each larva is assigned to a caste.

After larvae, all termites become workers, making them the most common form of termite. Workers are the main threat to your home. These juvenile termites eat into the wood and turn it into cellulose food, sharing with the rest of the colony.

Upon maturing, workers become soldiers or reproductives. Soldiers are distinguishable by their large mandibles. Their job is to protect the colony from invasion. Soldiers can neither reproduce nor damage wood.

Physical distinctions between ants and termites:
1. Ants have bent antennae, while termites have straight, bead-like antennae.
2. Termites have an elongated abdomen.
3. Ants have a small triangular section called a pedicle between their thorax and abdomen.
4. A termite’s front and back wings are roughly equal in size and shape, whereas the front wings of an ant are much larger than the hind wings.