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Follow These Steps if You Find Termite Larvae in Your Home

August 12th, 2022

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Finding termite larvae is never a good sign for your home’s structural integrity or the inhabitants’ physical health. Most homeowners realize they have a severe infestation after noticing termite damage before they find actual termites.

During warm and humid weather conditions, termites swarm your home to start new colonies. The result is more termite larvae and larger colonies that cause severe damage. If not detected early, termites can be stubborn and costly to exterminate. You need to manage the infestation properly before your property is destroyed. Here is a guide on how to get ahead of a termite problem. 

1. Correctly Identify Termite Larvae

So, you think you’ve found some termite larvae? Well, what do termite larvae even look like? Termites can be tricky to identify since they look similar to ants. Before you take extreme actions, you want to ensure that you have an actual pest control issue.

All termite larvae undergo molting and join one of the termite colony castes: soldier termites, worker termites, and reproductive termites. Only the reproductive termites lay eggs, but a worker termite has to feed the termite larvae, which live deep in the termite nest. Termite larvae are hatched termite eggs laid by the queen. Newly hatched termites often resemble ant larvae but baby termites are much smaller. Other characteristics include:

  • White translucent color that resembles worker termites
  • Soft bodies that harden as they grow
  • Shorter body sizes than mature termites
  • Undeveloped body parts 

2. Search for Signs of Damage

There are three kinds of adult termites: damp wood, subterranean and dry wood. All termites build their nests in walls and wood sources by creating holes and account for billions of economic losses annually, with the subterranean type causing 80% of termite damage. Different termites have unique habitats like termite mounds and feeding habits, and you can identify the species based on their differences.

In order to get rid of termite larvae – you must first find evidence of termite colonies. Start knocking around your property looking for hollow spots. Termites feed on wood from the inside and create tunnels to access food and water easily, hollowing the wood. You might have a mature termite colony if you see wood shavings dropping from these hollow-sounding areas.

Check for mud trails along wall skirting, window and door frames, and joints of wooden furniture such as cabinets. Mud tubes also interfere with doors and windows, making them harder to close. You can also inspect your floors and ceilings by listening for creaky sounds and checking for gaps.

When the infestation is new, the signs may be too subtle for you to find. Consider regular professional inspections to avoid future costly termite extermination and repair bills.

3. Section Off Damaged Areas

Adult termites and young termites can destroy property and make areas structurally unsafe. They can damage the stability and strength of buildings and, in the worst cases, lead to collapse. Early detection of termite infestations allows you to make timely repairs before severe damage requires you to move out or lose the building entirely. 

Repairing the damaged areas restores their original appearance and makes your home safe for you and your family. You can choose to replace the damage with new materials or work on improving the damaged ones.

Before engaging in repair projects, you will want to consult a termite control professional. They can help you identify all hidden damaged areas and confirm that there is no active infestation. This step will prevent a future re-infestation. 

You can also consider applying termite repellents on wood or using natural termite-resistant wood such as cypress and cedar to avoid a termite problem. These steps may help kill termite larvae, though a pest control professional would be required to finish the job.

4. Call an Expert

Termites can be challenging to identify as they feed on building materials from the interior, leaving hollow spaces. You need to check out the signs of infestation and search for damage clues.

The presence of termite larva indicates an active termite colony. These insects can cause hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage, so you want to ensure they stay gone. The best way to manage a termite infestation is to catch it early and call a pest control specialist.

At Budget Brothers Termite & Pest, we are determined to solve your termite problem. We conduct comprehensive same-day inspections to determine the severity of the infestation and recommend the best treatment plan. Our services also include an annual renewable warranty to ensure you’re covered in case of a reinfestation. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and get a reasonable quote for the termite infestation.

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