When we look at the pictures of termites they look quite like winged ants. In the first glance it is often not possible to find out the infestation by a termite. Termites are a big threat in most houses with wooden furniture and other wooden material, on wallpapers inside painted the wall. Especially in the damp and warm areas termites make life hell. Many a times it is very difficult to trace the presence of termites in the wood. This is because; a termite wall or furniture may look perfect from outside, whereas the effects of termite eating the wood continue with the layers. Termites feed on wood. The microorganisms present in their digestive system helps them to digest wood and secret essential ingredients for life.
Types of termites
There are essentially following kinds of termites’ viz. Damp-wood and dry-wood termites and the subterranean. Pictures of termite infestation, if given a closer look may reveal the kind of termite attack. In case of a dry wood termite, termites produce KICK OUT HOLES. The termites reduce the woods to fecal pellets, leaving sand like substance behind. On the other hand Damp wood termites feed on wet and rotten woods, essentially found in the forests. The water needs of damp wood termites are fulfilled by the food they eat. They don’t need to look for it outside, which is not the case with dry wood termites. Dry wood termites use the water produced by them when they are digesting the wood. Subterranean termites live underground and work a great deal to obtain food. They construct conduits with the digested wood and frass, and suck food from a food source. They also form habitats above the ground, when they find proper food and water resources. The primary indicator or picture of subterranean termites is the presence of these conduits, which look similar to mud tubes, and so are given this name.
Identification through Pictures of termites
Pictures of termites and winged ant are very similar. But with a keener look we can find out the difference between the two. The ant’s waist compared to a termite found to be significantly thinner. Another difference is the antenna of a winged ant is rather elbowed, whereas that of a termite is simple curve. Such ants and termites which have wings are also known as swarmers.
The picture of termites, studied for newer species suggest that Indo-Malaysian dry- wood termite is smaller than the West-Indian counterpart. There are colour differences in the new species of the western swarmers compared to the swarmers existing in other parts of the world. The pictures of termites or western swarmers suggest that such kind of termite is light brown headed creatures with rest of the body black. Swarmers pictures found in the rest of the areas indicate that they are evenly coloured.
While removing the threat of a termite swarmer, it is essential to understand the picture of termite, to distinguish it from a winged ant. It is very easy to get confused by the two, so it is better to have the picture of termite in mind while dealing with the problem.
