Do termites bite? Honestly, that thought gives us a bit of a chill! While these pesky wood-eating insects can technically bite humans, it’s a pretty rare occurrence. Folks living in the countryside often fear them, but the truth is, termites usually fear people and are more interested in munching on wood and cellulose materials.
The real danger from termites isn’t their bite—it’s the serious structural damage they can inflict on homes and buildings (your skin is safe, but your furniture? Not so much!) By understanding the facts about termite bites and learning how to spot them, you can better protect yourself and your property from these destructive little invaders. (Just a fun fact: Termites have never once Googled “how to bite humans.”)
Be with us, we will take you to the examination of termite bites, their characteristics, and what you should do if you suspect you’ve been bitten. Let’s delve into it!
What do the termites look like?
When it comes to identifying termites, there are some features that really set them apart from the usual biting insects. Firstly, termites have straight antennae and wider waists, while ants sport bent antennae and narrow, pinched waists. Typically, you’ll find termites in a cream or light brown color, which is quite different from the darker shades of many ants. The worker termites, common ones, are about ¼ inch long and have soft bodies.
On the other hand, soldier termites are a bit faster, sporting larger heads and stronger mandibles, but they still share that light coloration. Now, if you happen to spot flying termites, also known as alates, you might mistake them for flying ants. However, termites can be distinguished by their straight antennae and wings that are all the same length, whereas ants have bent antennae and wings of varying lengths. It’s worth noting that termites shy away from light and will quickly scurry away when exposed, which can make it tricky to identify them visually. So, if you notice an insect hanging around on your skin or buzzing around, it’s likely you are dealing with a different type of pest entirely.
Which termites can bite?
In a termite colony, it’s the soldier termites that have the unique ability to bite humans. These specialized soldiers boast more mandibles, perfectly crafted for defending their colony from threats like ants and rival termites. With their larger heads and stronger jaws, soldier termites stand out from the worker termites, who are primarily focused on wood consumption rather than protection. On the other hand, flying termites, also known as alates or reproductive termites, are harmless. They lack both stingers and biting jaws, so there’s no need to worry about them causing any harm to people.
The Formosan subterranean termite, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights as aggressive and eager to munch on wood, has soldier termites that are more prone to biting if they’re handled directly, unlike the typical subterranean termite species.
Why are termite bites rare?
The chances of getting bitten by a termite are incredibly slim, and there are a few good reasons for that. First of all, termites mainly munch on cellulose materials like wood and plant matter, not on human flesh (so we’re in the clear!) Unlike pesky mosquitoes or bed bugs, termites have zero interest in us as a food source (see, we’re safe!).
Secondly, termites tend to steer clear of humans altogether. Even if they’re spotted during home repairs or inspections, they usually scurry away instead of attacking. Their instinct is all about escaping danger, not facing it head-on. Plus, most termites just don’t have the physical ability to break through human skin. Their mandibles are built for munching on wood, not for defending themselves against larger beings.
What does a termite bite look like?
When a termite bites a human, the signs are often subtle compared to other insect bites. Knowing what to look for can really help you tell these rare bites apart from those of more common household pests.
Common Symptoms of A Termite Bite
If you ever find yourself dealing with one of these unusual situations, you might spot a tiny red bump on your skin that could bring a bit of discomfort. Because of the small jaws of termites, their bites usually don’t penetrate deeply, and sometimes you won’t even see a mark left behind. Below are some of the visible symptoms:
- A small, slightly raised red bump
- Mild itching or irritation
- Minor redness around the bite area
- A bit of tenderness when touched
For most people, the symptoms from termite bites are usually mild and tend to clear up on their own within just a day or three, without the need for a doctor’s visit. This speedy recovery happens because termites don’t inject venom or any irritating saliva that would make the symptoms last longer. It’s worth mentioning that while some individuals might have an allergic reaction to termite bites, this is extremely uncommon.
Basic first aid steps if you are bitten by a termite
If you think you’ve been bitten by a termite, here’s what you should do:
- Give the area a good clean
- Put a cold compress on it
- Try some over-the-counter treatments (like antihistamines to help with itching and swelling, hydrocortisone cream directly on the bite, or acetaminophen if you need something for the pain).
- Keep an eye on the bite for the next 24 hours
These easy steps usually take care of most termite bites since they generally just cause a bit of irritation.
Signs of Termite Infestation
Here are some signs of a termite infestation:
- Mud tubes creeping along your foundation walls or hiding in crawl spaces
- Discarded wings near windows and doors that look a bit like fish scales
- Wood that sounds hollow when you give it a tap
- Floors and ceilings that seem to sag
- Wood damage that looks unusually dark or crumbles at the slightest touch
- Noticeable changes in the wood, like holes or indentations
- Frass, which are termite droppings that resemble fine sawdust
And just to clear up a common misconception: termites don’t just go after old wooden structures—they can also invade new buildings right after they’re built.
The Real Danger: Termites and Your Home
While a lot of homeowners worry over the idea of termite bites, the truth is that the real danger these little pests bring is to your home itself. These sneaky invaders can lead to serious financial headaches that far surpass any worries about getting bitten by a termite.
Why termites are more harmful to structures?
Termites are responsible for a staggering $1-2 billion in property damage every year in the United States. Unfortunately, most homeowners’ insurance policies don’t cover the damage caused by these pests, which leaves property owners in a tough spot financially. Termites target essential structural elements like floors, support beams, wall studs, floor joists, ceiling joists, roof supports, and even foundations.
The real trouble is that termite infestations often go unnoticed until the damage becomes glaringly obvious, leading to complicated and expensive repairs.
How to prevent termite damage
Taking preventive measures is way more cost-effective than dealing with a full-blown infestation. Primarily, make it a point to schedule regular professional inspections, ideally once a year. On top of that, here are some smart protective steps you can take:
- Get rid of any wood that’s touching the ground around your
- Seal up any cracks and gaps in your
- Keep moisture levels down by fixing any leaky plumbing and ensuring proper
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your
- Maintain an 18-inch gap between the soil and any wooden parts of your
Dave’s Pest Control – Get Rid of Termites in Your Area
Welcome to Dave Pest Control, your trusted partner – dedicated to protecting homes and businesses from pest invasion. We have 45 years of experience and a team of certified professionals, who make sure your place is clean from termites, ants or any other nuisance. At Dave Pest Control, we specialize in showing pests the door—and making sure they don’t come back!
If you are facing any trouble regarding to termites or pests, just schedule your inspection with us and we will take care of it all!
