How do I know what kind of termites I have?

How do I know what kind of termites I have?

Look for the most common sign – the color. Subterranean termite swarmers are solid black, drywood swarmers are solid red, while carpenter ants are usually red and black or dark brown. The other big difference is in the body. Termites all have a long body with no small segments attached.

What kind of termites are in south Louisiana?

Distribution of Formosan Subterranean Termites Native subterranean termites are found throughout Louisiana and are a natural part of the environment in Louisiana. Formosan subterranean termites, native to East Asia, arrived in the United States after World War II and were established in New Orleans by 1966.

Are termites common in Louisiana?

In fact, according to a study from the LSU AgCenter, termites affect Louisiana more than any other state. They’re capable of doing more than $500 million a year in damage!

Do termites have 2 or 4 wings?

Both carpenter ants and termites have two pairs of wings, meaning they have four all together. There is a front pair and a back pair. On termites, both the front and back pair of wings are the same length. On carpenter ants, the back wings are significantly shorter than the front wings.

What type of termites swarm in Louisiana?

When Do Termites Swarm in Louisiana?

• The eastern subterranean termite typically swarms from February to May.
• The Formosan termite swarms at night during the late spring.
• The dark southeastern subterranean termite swarms during the day in March and June.

What does drywood termites look like?

Drywood termites have a thick waist, short legs, and straight antennae. Drywood termite swarmers, also known as alates, have wings that are the same length. Termite soldiers have mouthparts (mandibles) with teeth. Worker termites are cream colored and can look white against wood.

What looks like a winged termite?

Flying Ants – The Closest Look-alike Of Flying Termites Like the flying termites, the flying ants are also alates. It means that these are reproductive ants of carpenter ants. Like the flying termites, the flying carpenter ants also leave their nests that they build inside wooden structures.

Do termite droppings look like sand?

Because drywood termites consume dry wood (true to their name), frass excreted by drywood termites is dry and pellet shaped. When in piles, the frass can look like sawdust or sand. The color can vary from light beige to black, depending on the kind of wood the termites are consuming.

What termites are popular in Louisiana?

What Termites Are Popular in Louisiana? Termites are divided into three major termite groups: Subterranean, Drywood and Dampwood. However, in Louisiana the most common species is subterranean. Subterranean termites will appear dark-brown, or black in color, and will grow to about ¼ to ½ inch in length.

When do termites swarm in Louisiana?

Because Louisiana is so warm and humid, different species of termites are likely to swarm during most of the year. The swarming habits of the most common species in Louisiana are described below. The eastern subterranean termite typically swarms from February to May.

How long is a termite inspection?

The average termite or pest inspection takes approximately forty-five minutes to one and half hours for a thorough inspection, depending on the size and condition (e.g. clutter; storage of personal items, etc.) of the home and property.

When is termite season in New Orleans?

As the weather heats up, the Formosan termites will swarm around the lights at night in the Metro New Orleans area . Generally, termites swarm in May and June, but you may have already seen them fluttering around.