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What Do Termites Look Like?

Learn to Recognize Termites and Termite Damage

By , About.com Guide

Termites have been munching away on wood for over 250 million years, long before people started building their homes from wood products. Termites recycle wood products into soil by feeding on and breaking down cellulose, the main component of the cell walls in plants. Most of the 2,200 or so species of termites live in the tropics.

So what do termites look like? This photo gallery will help you learn to recognize termites, and termite damage, when you see them.

Images 1-11 of 11
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Subterranean termites usually nest in, or in contact with, the soil.What Do Termites Look Like?Eastern subterranean termite soldiers have rectangular heads and powerful jaws.What Do Termites Look Like?Formosan termites, an invasive species, causes millions of dollars in structural damage each year.What Do Termites Look Like?Winged termites appear in spring, ready to mate and establish new colonies.What Do Termites Look Like?
Formosan termites typically swarm from dusk until midnight, between April and June.What Do Termites Look Like?Termite queens have expansive abdomens to hold eggs and can live for decades.What Do Termites Look Like?Drywood termites nest in dry, sound wood.What Do Termites Look Like?Extensive galleries are visible in this termite nest, removed from a wall.What Do Termites Look Like?
Undetected termite infestations can lead to extensive damage to structural lumber in your home.What Does Termite Damage Look Like?Formosan subterranean termites chewed through the structural lumber in a century old building.What Does Termite Damage Look Like?Drywood termite damage of a door.What Does Termite Damage Look Like?
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