Meet the Termite, Orange County Homes’ Nemesis

In the case of the termite, Orange County‘s nastiest bug, the phrase “eating me out of house and home” isn’t hyperbolic — they really can eat your house and home right out from under you!

Termites live in colonies that range in size from a few hundred thousand to several million, all in one giant extended family. They all act with incredible organization and a single purpose — to collect cellulose (i.e. wood). They use the cellulose to expand their hive, upon which they have space for more members — and thus need more cellulose. That’s why spotting even a single termite is very bad news; a single termite might mean a million more are eating away at your home.

If you see a termite, you need to order up a termite inspection. Orange County has several qualified inspectors ready to come out an investigate your home at a moment’s notice, so it won’t be difficult — the hardest part of the whole thing is knowing what a termite looks like.

Termites, like soldiers, come in ranks, and each rank has it’s own focused purpose.

Workers
Worker termites are the ones that eat your home. They are the only ones who can digest cellulose, so they collect it, bring it home, and then grotesquely regurgitate the digested product to feed the rest of the hive. Other workers tend to the queen and her brood, ensuring the survival of the next generation. It’s rare to see these beasts out in the open, but if you should find one, they look like squirming grains of rice.

Soldiers
Soldier termites have fly-like bodies (but no wings), six legs, and oversized heads with huge pincers. Soldier termites have the job of defending the nest from predators — most often invading ants who would like nothing more than to take over the hive.

Breeders
Breeders are the males and females responsible for creating the next generation. They are only created when a given hive becomes too large to maintain, so if you see one, you know that they’re trying to move in. On the other hand, if you see an entire swarm, it means that the hive that’s expanding is very close by! Breeder termites look like winged ants with longer abdomens and a thicker waist.

No matter what kind of termite you lay eyes on, call a termite inspector immediately.