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Home > Eastern Subterranean Termite

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Eastern Subterranean Termite

Reticulitermes flavipes

A species of Subterranean termites

The eastern Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) is the most common termite found in North America. They are social insects that share resources and work together. Not only destroy wooden furniture, but they also feed on all kinds of paper and cotton goods in the houses. If there is an infestation of eastern Subterranean Termite, action must be taken quickly.

General Info About Eastern Subterranean Termite

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Attributes of Eastern Subterranean Termite

Colors

Brown

Black

Habitat

grassland; forest

Adult Food Sources

Decayed wood, tree roots, wooden structures, plant cellulose, dead trees

Larva Food Source

Wood, leaf litter, plant fibers, decaying organic matter, cellulose-containing materials

Biting/stinging

Not reported

Allergy-causing

Not reported

Defensive attack

Not reported

Venomous

Not reported

Non-poisonous

The Eastern Subterranean Termite is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.

Borer

The Eastern Subterranean Termite can bore into the wood and may damage its structure, or even harm the health of trees. Stay alert if you frequently observe it in your house.

Pollinator

Not reported

Pest-Eating Predatory

Not reported

Phytophagous

Not reported

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Species Status of Eastern Subterranean Termite

It is found in North America. It occurs throughout the eastern United States, including Texas, and can be found as far north as southern Ontario.

Distribution Area of Eastern Subterranean Termite

Throughout the eastern United States

Appearance of Eastern Subterranean Termite

Workers are about 3 mm long and are blind, wingless, soft-bodied, creamy white to grayish-white with a round head.Soldier termites are also wingless and resemble workers except that they have a large, rectangular, yellowish-brown head with long black mandibles. In Reticulitermes flavipes, they are 9 - 10 mm in length to the tips of their wings and have compound eyes, ocelli, and a dark brown to black fully sclerotized cuticle. The tarsi are yellowish.

How to Identify Eastern Subterranean Termite?

Adult Ventral side (Underside)

Predators of Eastern Subterranean Termite Larvae

Ants, beetles, mites, spiders, birds, mammals

Predators of Adult Eastern Subterranean Termite

Ants, beetles, centipedes, amphibians, birds, mammals

Interesting Facts About Eastern Subterranean Termite

Eastern Subterranean Termite can communicate and coordinate using complex pheromone signals, orchestrating tasks within their vast, invisible underground colonies.

Scientific Classification of Eastern Subterranean Termite

Phylum

Arthropods

Class

Bugs

Order

Cockroaches and termites

Family

Subterranean termites

Genus

Subterranean termites

Tips for Finding Eastern Subterranean Termite

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Adult Habitat of Eastern Subterranean Termite

Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Rotting and Decaying Matter, On and Within Other Organisms (Parasitic and Symbiotic Relationships)

Habitat Preferences of Eastern Subterranean Termite Through Different Life Stages

The eggs of eastern Subterranean Termite tend to be nestled in secure underground nests or within damp wood structures, where the queen resides. The nymphs inhabit protected locations close to food sources like dead wood or leaf litter and can be seen upon careful examination of these materials. Soldiers and workers venture out from the nest into surrounding wood or soil in search of sustenance, making these areas ideal for observing these stages. Alates are best sought after during their swarming period when they emerge en masse and are attracted to light, often found around windows or lights.

Are Eastern Subterranean Termite harmful?

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The main harm eastern Subterranean Termite creates is boring into wooden structures, causing economic loss and safety concerns.

Are Eastern Subterranean Termite harmful to humans?

No threat to health. Without toxicity, termites neither attack people nor spread illness. Also, they do not cause allergies.

Bore through products to cause economic losses and security risks. Termites burrow into the building structure, which will not only affect the beauty of the house but also endanger the house safety. In addition, they will also destroy furniture, cables, clothing, books, etc.

Disturb human life. It is easy to observe a large number of winged termites scurrying towards the lights before the heavy rain. Many people are panic-stricken at such scenes and need to increase the housework that needs to clean up the termites in mating flight and the falling wings.

Where do Eastern Subterranean Termite come from?

Take the initiative to move in. With relatively stable indoor temperature, natural shelter, and food sources of wooden structures, the environment of human residence is suitable for termite living. All these conditions are conducive to termite reproduction.

Destroy the native environment. Human buildings destroy the original living areas and vegetation sources of termites. To survive, they will invade the house to bore through wood structures, including doors, windows, wardrobes, bookcases, wooden floors, etc.

Move-in for shelter. In extreme weather (such as heavy rain), termites outside can also enter nearby lighted houses for shelter or mating flight.

What is the most effective prevention against Eastern Subterranean Termite?

Block the channel. Each vent should be equipped with a complete protective net. And the gap created by the electrical water pipes connecting the indoor and outdoor should be completely closed.

Avoid using wooden home furnishings. Reduce the dependence on wood when constructing new houses and selecting new furniture. Please choose other materials for construction and decoration.

Pre-treatment on the wooden floor. Before the wooden floor is laid, some lime or insect repellent powder is usually sprayed. The long-term effect usually can last for several years.

Periodically inspect the wooden structure in the house. If wooden articles such as wooden floors and wooden fences appear in a suspicious abnormal state, they should be inspected in time and taken measures.

Keep the house dry. If there is accumulated water in the house and courtyard, it must be removed. Also, the leaky pipe should be repaired and replaced in time.

Keep the drainage ditch open. Dredged blocked drainage ditches in time to avoid water accumulation. When the humidity is not enough for survival, termites will not be attracted to build nests.

Avoid lights on rainy nights. Avoid turning on the lights on rainy nights when termites are in mating flights. The lights will attract a large number of winged termites.

Harmful Effects of Eastern Subterranean Termite

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Structural Pests

Eastern Subterranean Termite are known for causing severe structural damage to buildings, especially through their nymph and adult stages. They stealthily consume wooden components, jeopardizing the integrity of wooden furniture and house frameworks. Chronic infestations can result in costly repairs and significant safety hazards within human dwellings.

Hurt Plant

Eastern Subterranean Termite, at both larval and adult stages, attacks plant roots and stems, chewing and boring through tissues. This activity can range from mild to severe, ultimately weakening the plant's structure and potentially leading to its death.

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