Carolina Pest Solutions performs termite inspections, termite control, treatments and yearly renewals for subterranean termite. If you are selling or buying a home, we perform wood destroying insect reports (WDIR). We will ensure that no future problems will exist if treated properly.
Subterranean termites are based on a caste system. There are the workers, soldiers and reproductives (alates). The workers maintain the underground colonies and make the mud tubes often associated with termite activity. The soldiers only defend the nest from intruders and have no worker duties. The queen is simply there for one purpose and that is to lay thousands of eggs in her life span. Once she dies, another secondary reproductive will take over.
In the spring of the year when conditions are favorable such as temperature and humidity, large numbers of black bodied winged termites will emerge from the colony. They will emerge by the thousands! These are called swarmers and are the reproductives or alates. They are often mistaken for black flying ants at this stage. There are subtle differences in the wing length, waist size and antennae. A male and female will breed and find a new suitable habitat to start a new colony.
