The fact that termites eat wood makes them a very interesting group of insects – at least when they’re not in your house. There are at least 50 different kinds of termites in North America. Some can be found nesting in the ground (or are at least connected to the ground in some way), while others live within the wood they eat.

Adult termites are easy to recognize by their two body segments.

Photo Credit: ©2007 Buglady Consulting

Termites can chew up all kinds of wood. Here, the insects have ravaged some landscape timber.

Photo Credit: ©2007 Buglady Consulting

No matter what kind they are, all termites rely on wood or some other form of cellulose for food. Cellulose is a complex sugar, and termites rely on friendly organisms in their stomach to break these sugars down – and this makes a lot of methane. Interestingly, termites share the spotlight with cockroaches as the most flatulent organisms in the world.

All termite species are eusocial, which means they’ve got a division of labor (workers, soldiers and “reproductives”). Workers search for food and bring it back to the colony, build nests and care for the offspring. Soldiers defend the nest from predators and other threats. Reproductives, well, reproduce.

You may encounter termites in many different situations while working in your yard or garden. If you break open a piece of wood or trim off a tree branch and notice several organisms that resemble white ants, they’re probably termites. Simply collect several of these soldiers (the winged individuals are preferred) and take them for identification to your County Extension office or to a pest-control operator. The type of termites you have determines what type of management practices, if any, are needed to solve your potential problem. If you’re in doubt of recommended management tactics, consult a trained entomologist.

Remember, just because you find termites in your yard, it doesn’t mean your house is in danger. Be sure to get all the facts first before you bother battling this bug!

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