Have you started seeing jelly, white-body termite miniatures on your woodshed and cedar sidings? What about your furniture? If yes, what you’re seeing is called termite larvae.
We understand that these creatures look cute and delicate. Perhaps they are not dangerous. Maybe they won’t bring harm to your properties.
Or should you worry? Are these larvae as destructive as adult termites?
If these larvae are dangerous to your properties, just how much disaster can you expect? More importantly, what can you do about it?
Let’s find out, shall we? Wait, let’s identify these creatures first.
What Do Termite Larvae Look Like?
To adequately understand just how much danger looms, you should at least identify what’s in your property. Who knows, maybe what you saw was a maggot and not the larvae of a termite.
And you’d better believe it; maggots and the larvae of termites look alike. Looks aside, they even behave almost the same way. So, how can you tell which is which?
Appearance
The larvae of termites and maggots have the same off-white or yellowish soft bodies. From a distance, you can hardly spot the difference.
Beyond color, the two pests have identical sizes and shapes. So, what can you do?
Move a bit closer to the spot, be careful. Now, look at the size again. Baby termites don’t grow as large as maggots. At most, they will grow to about one-tenth inches.
Also, look at the shape again. Baby termites have distinct head configurations. Unlike them, maggots maintain their irregular shape from head to toe.
Don’t want to take a closer look? We understand that it is dangerous. Check this then:
Behavior
Termites, regardless of age, swarm just like maggots. Yes, the former move in organized forms. Also, they prefer traveling under protection.
Unlike termites, maggots do not care about protection. They swarm and often in no distinct pattern.
Another distinct behavioral difference is food. Baby termites are selective above what they eat. They rarely even do anything other than waiting for adults to find cellulose for them.
Unlike the picky larvae, maggots swarm hard for food. They don’t care if it’s rotten or fresh. Not a single care in the world about cellulose; maggots just want to eat!
So, back to the dangers of baby termites. Do the soft bodies look and behave like what we described?
Yes? Then keep reading to find the dangers and how to control them.
What Risks Does Termite Larvae Pose To Your Property?
Directly, baby termites can’t cause property damage. They can hardly even feed on wood. These soft body creatures largely depend on worker termites for cellulose and even protection.
Nevertheless, still worry about the larvae of termites. And here are the reasons you should:
- Baby termites are visible signs that the destructive adults are on your property.
- Worker termites destroy more of your property because they have to feed the babies.
- The babies will eventually grow to adults, destroy your properties, and expand the base.
Summarily, termites are not your friend, regardless of if they are babies or adults. Indeed, they aid decomposition. But that shouldn’t be on polished wood and property as a whole.
So, what can you do?
What Should You Do To Control The Larvae Of Termites?
Remember we said baby termites are picky about food and that they rarely work. Deductively, they will die eventually if the adults are not around to guide them.
In other words, tackle termite infestation as a whole. That’s the only way to rid your property of the danger of their babies, workers, and even soldiers.
That said, we will advise that you don’t do DIY termite control. It is best that you engage experts. That’s when you will get total riddance to the pests.
Last Updated on 3 years by George Morgan
