There are about 2,000 known species of termites throughout the world. In the U.S., Subterranean termites, including Eastern, Western, Desert and Formosans, which build underground nests, are a concern in every state except Alaska. Subterranean termites are extremely destructive because they tunnel their way to wooden structures (like your home), into which they burrow to obtain food. Termites all share a virtually insatiable appetite for wood and other cellulose-containing materials. Given enough time, they will feed on the wood until nothing is left but a shell. Because of the quiet and hidden nature of termites, they are often undetected until damage has already occurred. Termites cause over $5 Billion in damage to structures in the United States each year. That is more than Fire, Flood, Hurricane and all other natural disasters combined, yet your home owners insurance likely does not cover termites.

Termites are highly social insects that live in large colonies where populations can reach more than one million. A Colony Consists of several structurally different forms living together as castes with different functions in the colony. The castes of a termite colony are king, queen, workers, soldiers, and swarmers.

In the spring, winged reproductives leave the parent colony to create a new colony. The swarm will typically last less than an hour, so it is very likely you will never see it. The lack of a swarm does not mean you do not have termites, but the presence of a swam means that you do have termites. The winged swamers are sometimes confused with ants, so it is best to have Big Time come and identify them for you.