Termites pose a serious threat to the foundations and structure of homes. In particular, the presence of larvae can indicate an infestation. These can be recognized by their shape, color and size. Often the larvae are found together with worker termites in the deepest points of a termite mound. Despite this, it is easy to confuse them with other insect species, so it is important to examine the characteristics of this pest.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Examine the Termite
Step 1. Examine the shape of the body
The larvae have soft bodies and lack a solid exoskeleton. It is possible to distinguish the head from the body, they have six legs and their antennae are straight.
- Termite larvae are extremely similar to workers and nymphs, except in size: the larvae are in fact much smaller.
- Termites can be mistaken for ants - you can tell them apart by checking their body shape. The body of ants is particularly tight between thorax and abdomen, while that of termites is smooth and uniform. Also, unlike termites, ants have bent antennae.
Step 2. Examine the color
Termite larvae are white and often translucent. But remember that mature workers and nymphs also have the same pale colouration, so relying solely on color may not be enough to determine if what is in front of you is a maggot.
- If their body is whitish but the head is darker, they could be soldier termites: the latter are adult specimens.
- If they are darker in color, such as brown or black, they could be ants or book lice. The presence of wings could instead indicate that they are reproductive termites.
Step 3. Check the dimensions
Most larvae measure less than 3 millimeters, adults usually reach 6 millimeters, and some winged termites can be just over one centimeter in length. If the insect you are examining is larger than that, it may not be a termite at all.
The larvae are roughly the same size as the eggs they hatch from, which are white and very small. These are hard to find as they are usually kept deep in the mound, but if you happen to see one or more termites next to a pile of eggs try comparing their size. If they are more or less the same size, you can be sure that you have larvae in front of you
Part 2 of 3: Finding the Termite Larvae
Step 1. Identify adult termites
If you have found an adult termite there are probably some larvae hiding in the colony. There are multiple types of adults, but they are usually all identifiable by their soft body and pale color. The workers and nymphs have the appearance of larger larvae, while the soldiers have dark and hardened heads. Only the reproductive termites, the only ones that lay eggs, have wings.
Step 2. Inspect areas where termites may be present
While you may need to seek help from a pest control service to locate most termite mounds, you can do a preliminary check and see if you notice any signs of infestation. Start by inspecting the sills, window and door frames, load-bearing beams and in general any place where wood and concrete structures meet. You should also examine the basement, the cavity, and the space under the porch boards. Use a flashlight to check crevices and dark places.
Be aware that termites often live deep in walls and can infest a home for years without being noticed. Just because there are no obvious signs of an infestation does not rule out the possibility of their presence
Step 3. Listen to the noises in the walls
Using a screwdriver, lightly tap the wooden frame or wall you are examining. Look for hollow areas and notice if there are any gnawing noises coming from the wood - they could indicate that something lives inside.
Step 4. Break the mud tunnels
Termites can build mud tunnels to travel between areas of their colony. These usually resemble twigs or linear mud spots snaking around the walls or foundation - you can open one up and check for termites inside. Note that if a tunnel is empty, termites may still be located elsewhere in the building.
Step 5. Call a pest control service
Termites can settle up to the internal areas of a structure and the larvae are often found in the most protected areas of the nest. To estimate the severity of the situation you should contact a pest control agency who will be able to figure out if it is a termite infestation or another type of parasite. The exterminators are also able to identify the larvae for you.
If you can't figure out what kind of insect is infesting your home, try catching a few and locking them in a jar and showing them to the exterminator or pest expert
Part 3 of 3: Distinguishing Termite Larvae from Other Insects
Step 1. Compare termite larvae and ants
Adult ants and termites are easily confused with each other. However, their larvae show great differences. In case you can't figure out if your problem is with termites or ants try inspecting the larvae if you can find any.
- Termite larvae look like smaller versions of adult workers and nymphs: the legs, head, and antennae are segmented and distinguishable from the body.
- The ant larvae look like tiny caterpillars. They are covered in hair, have no legs or eyes, and their head cannot be distinguished from the body.
Step 2. Learn to identify psocoptera, or book lice
Like termite larvae, psocoptera are small and white, but never exceed 2 to 3 millimeters. They also do not feed on wood, but on fungal bacteria that grow on wood, paper and other starchy materials stored in humid environments.
- If there is no wood damage or other signs of termite presence, you may have found psocoptera and not termite larvae. Make sure you take some of these insects to an exterminator.
- The most common places to find psocoptera are books, newspapers, moldy food and grains, old wallpaper, cardboard boxes, and other paper products. Termites, on the other hand, are often found on walls, wood piles, stumps, cavities and other areas rich in woody material.
Step 3. Consider whether the damage may have been caused by beetles
Termites aren't the only insects that eat wood. Woodworms, for example, are very different from termites: they have a dark body, rigid and sometimes covered with hair. Woodworm larvae are white, their bodies are C-shaped and have a series of spines on their backs.
The best way to identify a woodworm or termite infestation is to consult an exterminator: they may be able to identify the type of parasite based on the damage caused by it
Step 4. Make sure they are not fly larvae
Maggots are another type of larva which, however, changes into a fly instead of a termite. Like the latter, their bodies are white and soft; however, they do not have a distinguishable head and, if this is present, it is still not visible to the naked eye. They may have legs, but the rest of the body is cylindrical.
Maggots are often found inside decaying materials, such as expired food or dead plants
Advice
- Termite larvae starve to death if workers are killed. A pest control service can help you eliminate the larvae by destroying the colony.
- Nematodes are parasites that are harmless to humans but harmful to termites. You may be able to get rid of the larvae by spraying roundworms in the infested areas.
- If you've found adult termites, there are likely grubs deep inside the colony or structure.
- If you've found any termite larvae, you should learn how to exterminate the colony. Call an exterminator who can help you.
