Did you know that AZ has 4 different types of termites?
That really isn’t a large variety considering the fact that there are 2000 termite species in the world. Termites are very destructive and known as silent destroyers. They cause more than $5 billion in property damage yearly. They feed on cellulose in paper and wood products. While boric acid will kill termites within a few days, once you have an infestation, you can’t control it with DIY methods.
Arid Subterranean Termites
are the most common in AZ. They like multiple environments, mostly in the desert, but also in sand dunes, rivers, canyons and altitudes above 4000 feet. Altitude determines the swarming season, but is usually between May and October.
Their coloring is dark brown to black with translucent wings. Adult (swarmer’s) are about 1/2 inch long with wings and once they lose their wings, are about 3/8 inch long.
The soldiers have longer jaw-bones than the rest of the Arid members, which are used to fight off threats. They are a little lighter in color and look more like ants. The soldiers forage cellulose materials that the termites feed on.
Arid Subterranean Termites spend most of their time hunting for their main food source, which is wood. They like desert trees and cactus ribs as well, but they will also attack homes and buildings, while also devouring paper, stucco, pool liners, insulation and natural fiber carpeting.
Desert Subterranean Termites
love extreme dry heat. They are more common in southern AZ. They love desert plants like cactus, but also love the soft porous rings in timber also known as “springwood”. They cause much damage to utility poles and wooden structural supports of buildings. When they are done eating, the result resembles honeycombs.
Their coloring is a pale cream to light amber with noticeable veins in their colorless wings. Adult (swarmer’s) are about 3/8 inch long with their wings.
The bodies of the soldiers are rectangular that is flat and twice as long as it is wide. They have long pointed, powerful, slender and mildly curved jawbones and are slightly smaller than the swarmer’s.
Desert Subterranean Termites love dry wood and don’t require dampness like other termites. The telltale sign is leaving drop tubes from plasterboard, sheetrock or ceiling rafters as well as the honeycombed holes in timber.
Western Drywood Termites
are usually found in coastal areas and love dry wood. The cause an incredible amount of damage by forming multiple colonies in a single structure with a single colony housing about 2000 termites.
Their coloring is a dark brown abdomen and sloping orange brown head, white eyes with dark veins in the front wings. Adult (swarmer’s) are about 1/2 inch long with their wings. The soldier’s jawbones have uneven rows of teeth and large club-like antennae.
Western Drywood Termites eat across the wood grain with tunnels connecting them. The tunnels are smooth but usually contain fecal pellets that are long and 6 sided ovals. You may also notice blisters on a wood surface when the tunnels are close to the surface.
These termites will move with you if your furniture and/or other wooden items are infested.
Desert Dampwood Termites
are not as common in the desert because there is a lack of dampness and their diet consists mainly of wood with a high moisture content. You do find them here that is actually a subterranean species that loves citrus groves. They will also consume other living trees and shrubs infesting the wood from below ground. They get the needed moisture form the sap of living plants.
Their coloring is a brown bodies and wings, while soldiers are yellowish brown and nymphs are creamy colored with spot on their body. Adult (swarmer’s) are about almost an inch long with their wings. The soldiers are about 3/4 inch in size. The heads of this species are large and contain powerful pincers. The immature’s do the work of maintaining and feeding the colony.
Desert Dampwood Termites infestations are usually below ground level usually under living trees but can also be found under fences, untreated poles and posts that are in contact with soil.
If you suspect a termite infestation, call in a professional before it’s too late and you incur damage.