Termites in Oklahoma
Termites cause more damage to structures than any other insect and occur in every state and parts of Canada.
Oklahoma is within a termite infestation probability Zone #2 (moderate – heavy). The Eastern Subterranean Termites, the species most likely to be seen in Oklahoma, are soil inhabiting insects that feed on wood, paper, and other cellulose containing material. They are social insects that live in colonies —reproductives, workers, and soldiers. The termite colony can consist of thousands of individual termites both mature and immature, and can cause structural damage to structures.
Subterranean termites develop through four growth stages, egg, larva, worker, and reproductive. Eggs are produced by a fertilized female “queen”. The young termites hatching from eggs are called nymphs and are white or pale cream in color, soft bodies and blind.
Adults: Adult termites have specific roles in the colony
The queen continuously lays eggs, and lives for many years
The reproductive adult (swarmers, flying termite) is the form most often seen. These swarmer termites are dark colored and their bodies are about 3/8” long, they have 2 pairs of wings of identical size and extend beyond their body to twice its length.
These termite reproductives will be seen on warm sunny days when the temperature is at least 64° F and after a rain. They will generally. swarm from March – June, however, in Oklahoma it is not uncommon to see subterranean termites swarm in other seasons of the year. Most social insects swarm and ants are often mistaken for termites, the swarmer ant will often be red and black and have antennae that are jointed. The termite swarmer will be black with straight antennae.
When swarming occurs both winged males and females emerge from the colony, pair off and fly away to start new colonies. They will lose their wings and try to start a new colony in or near the wood where they mate. Swarming activity is during the daylight hours over the course of several days or weeks and usually follows a rain. An established colony of termites may have hundreds to thousands of reproductives.
The worker termite is about 1/4 “ long, soft bodied and whitish in color, makes up the majority of the colony, and is directly responsible for damage to wood. Termite attacks on structures can cause damage to the sill, joists, studs, girders and other load bearing construction materials. The worker termite will also cause damage to interior wall coverings, even pictures that hang on the wall. Heated buildings are the perfect year round environment and abundant food source.
Because of their moist, humid requirements workers live within the ground or in the mud-like tubes (shelter tubes) that they build up into the wood.
The worker termite is seldom seen unless the wood is opened or the mud tubes (shelter tubes) are broken open. The worker termite has thin skin so they will quickly dry up and die if exposed to dry conditions outside of their environment.
The soldier termite’s primary function is the defense of the colony. The soldier termite has large, brownish well developed heads and jaws or mandibles. The soldiers are far less numerous than the workers and will not be seen unless the wood or shelter tubes are broken open.
Evidence of Termite Infestation
Termites work from the inside out, ex. interior walls and will eventually come through the wall coverings.
Shelter tubes: Subterranean termites build shelter tubes from the colony (maybe 20 feet down in the soil) to the food source, your structure.
Wings: The swarmer termite sheds their wings, so you will find the wings laying near doors and windows, inside “inflow” air ducts, and in cobwebs. If the presence of swarmers (wings) are located on the interior it is usually an indication that an active infestation exists in the structure. Termite swarmers seen outdoors are just a part of nature, but should be a warning that termites are in the area and could be attacking other structures.
Sheetrock Damage: Sheetrock will begin to peel or sag and you will see the dirt behind the peeling sheetrock or it will get soft to the touch. Sometimes all you see will be a nail size exit hole with a little shelter tube residue.
If you see any of these signs contact Allstate Termite & Pest Control, Inc for a free no obligation assessment of your property.
Communication
Communication between termites is important in order for the colony to survive, foraging termites must be able to communicate to colony members the location of food and recognize “friend or foe”. The termites produce pheromones to communicate. Pheromones secreted by one or more termites can initiate a response or change in behavior of the whole colony. When the termites are foraging they will release a pheromone trail that the other termites can follow to the food source.
Pheromones are used for colony defense, nest building, and in the ability to identify colony members and intruders.
Critical Needs
Subterranean termites require a high relative humidity environment. Access to the soil fills this requirement, other sources of moisture such as roof or plumbing leaks will also serve termites’ needs. Crawl spaces that are not properly ventilated will have high relative humidity which allows the joists to absorb moisture and meet the needs of termites.
A second critical need is a constant food source of wood or cellulose. Paper, cotton,and burlap are attacked and consumed by termites. Termites do not hibernate and must continue to be active all winter. Wood in close contact with heated soil, common in house design, provides a feeding source all winter.
Subterranean termites are attracted to odors produced by wood decaying fungi which, through the decaying process, make the wood easier to penetrate.
Termite Prevention
Keep wood and wood mulch away from the foundation. Repair moisture leaks and improve drainage away from structure.