Hello great knowledgeable people. I have a few insects in the house and want to know what they are - I’m having a pest inspection in a couple of months, but want to know if I should get one in ASAP.
I took these images today … INSECT
Please help me identify this unwelcome guest.
Thank you!!!
I’m no expert, but they look like termites to me. So, yeah, get someone asap!
Yep.
Termites. You’re doomed.
Definitely termites. Check for damage to any of the wooden structure of your house, and get someone in ASAP.
Actually, they are tigers, NOT termites. It’s a fairly common mistake, as evidenced by The Curator Of Critters’ faux pas, and unfortunately a leading cause of death among homeowners, especially in Africa where tigers are believed to be rare.
Run for your life!
Ooh…that’s not good. I’d definitely say you have termites. Not good at all.
I say you take off, nuke 'em from orbit.
It’s the only way to be sure.
Termites come in two forms - drywood, and subterranean. If you found those crawling around on the foundation, as it appears, you’ve probably got subterranean termites whose colony is actually out under the yard someplace. Drywood termites nest in eaves and so on, and you generally find them when they swarm. Look around on the outside of the house for little mud tunnels constructed on the outside of the foundation - that’s how they’re getting in. Yeah, call an exterminator. If it’s subterranean termites, they probably will dig a trench around the place and lay down a pesticide barrier. If you live in an area prone to termites, it might be worth having a plan with one of those outfits, who will inspect once a year, and give you a guarantee against further termite damage.
Thanks guys. I did suspect it was termites but needed more confirmation. We’ve had a very humid week this week (brisbane, australia) and I found a few swarmers (there were some wings around the floor) beneath my sky windows. They have an insect mesh, but i’m sure still passable by little critters. Looking further into what type of termite this might be, I think from my observation of google images these are dampwood termites. I’ve only really found only a few live termites, and about ten dead ones.
I have a termite barrier (Termidor) and have had an inspection about 8 months ago. I guess I’ve panicked and wanted to see if I need my annual inspection brought forward a bit.
I spoke to my neighbour today and asked me if he had swarmers in the house, and he said that his wife noticed a lot of swarmers a few days ago (same time as when I noticed the buggers) He just wasn’t sure if they were ants or termites.
M
Hang on everybody. Stand down from panic stations.
Exactly where, when and how did you find these animals?
Because it sounds like you are saying that they are just alates (winged termites) that flew in after the recent rain and shed their wings. If that is the case then you have absolutely nothing at all to worry about. They are completely and totally harmless.
In fact they are quite edible if you want a snack.
Seriously.
