Termites are elusive pests that are hard to spot, which is why it’s important for homeowners to learn as much as possible about their behavior. Whether or not termites are attracted to light is a common question because homeowners often spot flying termites around light sources.
Some termites are attracted to light, but turning your lights off is not an effective way to deal with a termite problem.
Are Termites Attracted to Light?
Are termites attracted to light? The answer is yes, termites are attracted to light when they are swarming.
Swarming can occur during the spring and summer when swarmer termites leave their colonies to mate and start new colonies. Unlike soldier and worker termites, swarmer termites have wings and will find a mate in the air.
If there is an active termite colony on your property during swarm season, you may see a termite swarm or notice the aftermath of a termite swarm. During a termite swarm, you will see termites flying toward windows, light fixtures and other sources of light around your home. If a termite swarm happened while you were away, you may notice shed wings near windowsills or other light sources. Spotting swarmer termites or their wings around your home is a sign that a larger termite colony is nearby. The rest of the colony is likely out of sight, but they are still active and potentially wreaking havoc on your home.
You may see swarmer termites indoors and outdoors. Some common places to spot them include around your window frames, porch lights, outdoor security lights, interior light fixtures and lamp post lights.
It’s a common misconception that turning off your lights will deter termites or make termites that are already present go away. Termites find their way into a home searching for the food and moisture they need to survive, not because of light. The best method is to contact pest control professionals if you suspect that you have a termite infestation in your home.
Signs of Termites
It’s important to act quickly when you notice termites in or around your home. Remember, these pests can cause significant structural damage to your property. The faster you act, the more you can prevent costly damage.
Homeowners need to learn how to identify and control underground termites. Along with spotting termites around your lights, there are other common signs of a termite infestation that you should look out for. Termites feed on wood and require high levels of moisture to survive. If you notice damp or moist wood or wood that is warping, it could be a sign of termites.
You can tell if termites are inside wood by knocking on it and listening to your knock’s sound. If the wood sounds hollow, it could be due to termite damage. Your wooden floorboards may also buckle or sound squeaky when they have termite damage.
Termites travel through tubes that they create called mud tubes. They use their mud tubes to go back and forth between their food source and shelter. The most common place to spot termite mud tubes is around your home’s foundation.
Lastly, swarmer termites leave their wings behind. They drop them soon after swarming, so seeing them around your home is common. They measure between six and nine centimeters and can be translucent, gray or brown.
If you spot any signs of termites, do not hesitate to contact a pest control specialist. The best way to control termites in your home and minimize damage is to work with a professional.
Will Termites Eat Your Bed?
Termites are known for feeding on wood, which includes wood furniture. Many homeowners want to know if termites will eat their bed, and unfortunately, the answer is yes.
Your bed is at greater risk of being a target for termites if it’s made out of wood. They may eat your wooden bed frame, headboard, footboard, woven slats made of wood or wood decorative elements. Termites may even eat through your wooden nightstands or bedside tables. That said, termites would have to be left untreated for a long time to eat through these furniture items.
If you’re in the market for a new bed and want to limit the likelihood of termites visiting you at night, opt for a bed frame made out of metal instead of wood. However, your bed is not your bedroom’s only appealing food source for termites.
Termites are attracted to cellulose of any kind, so they may chew through the door frames, window frames and walls in your bedroom. If you have other wooden furniture in your room, such as a chest of drawers, that will also become attractive to termites.
Termites are hard to detect, but knowing what they look like is still helpful. They are tiny insects that are cream, white or light brown. Their bodies are oval-shaped, and they have a pair of straight antennae. Since they’re tiny and hard to see, many homeowners think termites look like ants.
If you spot termites in your home or notice the signs of termite damage, contact a professional pest control service. If termites are eating your bed, they are more than likely elsewhere in your home.
Using a professional service is the best way to effectively control termites in your home and prevent as much costly damage as possible.
Is It Possible to Only Have One Termite?
While it is possible to only have one termite at a time, it’s extremely unlikely. Termites are social creatures that travel and live in colonies. The population of a termite colony can range from a few thousand termites to over a million.
Homeowners must understand that if you see one termite around your home, there’s a high possibility that many more are nearby. The termites you can’t see could be causing significant damage to your property.
Roles in Termite Colonies
Termite colonies are highly organized and consist of three types of termites. Each type has a different role in the colony that helps the entire colony survive. For example, worker termites make up around 90% of a termite colony and have various jobs.
Worker termites forage for food, construct and maintain the nest, groom the other termites, care for the young and more. It’s essentially their job to see to the health and survival of the entire termite colony.
Next, soldier termites defend the colony against predators. They guard termite tunnels, fight off threats and warn the rest of the colony of incoming problems.
Reproductive termites, also known as swarmers, mate and establish new termite colonies. They are the only termites with wings, but they shed them as soon as they kill them.
Lastly, the queen termite, who starts as a swarming reproductive termite, is responsible for growing the termite colony. While all queen termites start as swarmers, all swarmers do not become queen termites. Queens produces eggs and can lay up to 30,000 per day. They stay in a protected chamber inside the termite nest to keep them far away from predators.
Understanding how termites operate will help you spot an infestation earlier. Termites may build a nest anywhere on your property if they have access to food and water and feel protected. It’s very common for termites to live in your soil.
As soon as you spot a termite or a common sign of termites, contact a pest control specialist. The experts have the tools and experience to control the termite population. Remember, if you see thousands of one termite, more are likely nearby. Acting quickly to get rid of them and avoid further damage is crucial.
Control Termites With Professional Help
Termites are excellent at going unnoticed and can cause significant property damage before you even realize they’re there. It’s important to stay vigilant against termites and look out for the signs of an infestation.
If you notice the signs of termites, contact a local pest control service. Do not wait until you see an actual termite to make the call. The faster you act, the more costly damage you can avoid.
ABC Can Help With Pest Infestations of Any Kind
Finding termites in and around your property can be extremely concerning. These pests are destructive and their colonies can hold thousands of members. If you suspect termites on your property, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services. Our professionals will be able to locate the termite colony and then implement an effective termite control plan.
