Currently viewing the category: "Termites"
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Spider eats Termite in Peru

On · Category: Spiders, Termites Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Oxyopidae?
Location: Tambopata, Peru
March 26, 2013 3:52 am
Found on a broad leef during the night in Tambopata Nature Reserve in Peru.
Signature: salparadis

Spider eats Termite

Spider eats Termite

Dear salparadis,
We cannot say for certain that this is a Lynx Spider in the family Oxyopidae.  Our first inclination would be to say an Ant Mimic Spider, but again, we cannot be certain.  See some photos of North American Ant Mimic Spiders on BugGuide for comparison.  Tropical species can be very difficult to identify.  The prey appears to be a Termite alate.  Despite our not being able to provide you with an identification, we are posting your lovely Food Chain image.

Related posts:

huntsman_peruHuntsman Spider from Peru spider_moth_mimiJumping Spider eats Moth phidippus_foodchain_canada_shawnJumping Spider eats MOth Crab Spider eats Gulf FritillaryCrab Spider Eats Gulf Fritillary
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Unknown Insects found dead on windowsill might be Termite Alates

On · Category: Termites Tagged With: · 4 Comments

Subject: Almost looks like a Jerusalem cricket?
Location: Los Angeles , ca
March 3, 2013 8:08 pm
Found these lil guys on my windowsill.. They were covered in sticky goo and all dead.. Was wondering what they were ? Just found them today so early march :) thank you !!
Signature: Cillie

What died on the window sill?

What died on the windowsill?  Termite Alates

Dear Cillie,
We agree that these do look like miniature Jerusalem Crickets or Potato Bugs, but we don’t understand how they found their way to your windowsill.  Was this home windowsill or a garage windowsill?  Perhaps one of our readers will be able to help us solve this mystery.  Perhaps they hatched from some potted plant.  We would not discount that they might be Ants.

Termite Alates

Termite Alates

Nope not a potted plant or garage.. Third story up from ground level in my house. All sorts of critters work there way in here.. A lot of co existing.. Haha.. Thank you for responding! I’m just so curious.. Never seen anything like that. Thanks again!
Cillie
Oh wild.. I just saw your bio and live in happy valley,  el sereno… Next hill over from you.. So same terrain :)

Eric Eaton provides a possibility
Daniel:
They look to me like winged termites, albeit severely mangled…Maybe drywood termites, especially given the location on the window sill.
Eric

 

Related posts:

termite_aletes_trucSwarming Termite Alates termites_lmTermite Alates subterranean_termite_aletes_floridaSubterranean Termite Alates termite_alates_kaliTermite Alates
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Termite Pellets, we suppose

On · Category: Termites Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: little sesame seed like things in my bed
Location: NYC
February 21, 2013 7:01 pm
Every morning I wake up and there are about 30-50 of these little sesame seed like objects in my bed. I have read about pets leaving things like that from tapeworms but i do not have pets. I feel fine, no stomach issues and am not getting bitten overnight. I have no idea where these things are coming from.
Signature: BK

Termite Pellets, probably

Termite Pellets, probably

Dear BK,
Though we have identified Sesame Seeds as suspected insects in the past, and despite the lack of clarity in your photograph, we are going to eliminate sesame seeds as suspects in your situation.  We believe you have Termite Pellets, fecal matter containing digested wood.  Depending upon where they are appearing, you may have a Termite infestation in your walls, beams or possibly even the bed itself.  There may be some helpful information on the Termite Information website.

Related posts:

drywood_termite_pellets_andyDrywood Termite Pellets Termite Pellets sesame_seeds_marioMore Sesame Seeds found in Bed termite_tunnelTermite Tunnels
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Possibly Termite Damage

On · Category: Termites · Add Comment

Subject: FUngus
Location: San Diego
December 27, 2012 12:49 am
Hi,
I have this on wall in basement garage on cement and something similar came up in sink perfectly round as it must have been packed in pipe. I know you are bug folks but you did have a fungus link too. I also was thinking it was a larvae issue possibly as I have had what looks to be caddisfly or fungus gnat and fruit fly
the picture of what looks like headless shrimp isnt clear but the shape may offer clue
I also know pic isn’t perfectly clear but any advice would be helpful if this helps, the ramp on other side of the basement wall at night will grow algae and lichens through deteriorations Building was built in 2004 on site of a home built in the 20;s
Signature: Terence

I sent my pics to you but forgot to include this one. so I will resend all three. One is on garage basement wall the other washed up in sink in kitchen and other i thought you could have idea of what it may be.. i know none are perfect pictures but even a guess so I know how to proceed I had caught a caddisfly in my bathroom which i thought was odd and lots of tiny little flies some fruit. also on other side of the garage wall picture where its growing on or through cement is the driveway to underground garage and has many deteriorating holes growing algae and lichens at night
Signature: Terence

Termite Damage, we suspect

Hi Terence,
Thanks for sending the third photo.  As you indicate, all are out of focus, but the new photo does offer some clues.  We suspect this is Termite Damage.  If the foundation is damp, that would support the habitat for Termites.  We would recommend an inspection.  Here is a Stock PHoto of what Termite Damage can look like.  All that you have written supports Termite Damage as a strong possibility.

Thank you. I never thought about termites doing that.  I had same look in my AC vent intake.  It has similar look to some slime molds /lichens   I couldn’t think why it would wash up in chunk in my sink though
Thanks, Terence

Related posts:

termite_damage_timTermite Damage, we believe drywood_termite_pellets_andyDrywood Termite Pellets termite_tunnelTermite Tunnels termites_lmTermite Alates
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Termite Alate

On · Category: Termites Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Are they termites?
Location: Los Angeles, CA
December 6, 2012 3:56 pm
Hi! This morning I woke up and saw a bunch of these between my window and window screen. I got them all outside of the window and closed it, but when checked later, a few more showed up between the screen and the window. I don’t know how they got there! I made sure my window was locked. Also, it rained a few days ago and my window sill contains soil but no plants. Are they termites or flying ants? Would I need to leave my building to have them exterminated? Are they harmful to people? Thanks!
Sorry I couldn’t get good photos. I didn’t want to get close to them!
Signature: Clueless

Termite Alate

Dear Clueless,
You are not giving yourself enough credit.  You are correct.  This is a Termite, more specifically a Termite Alate, the winged reproductive caste.  You can tell by your photograph that it is a sunny day.  Termites often swarm on a warm sunny day immediately after a good rain.  You probably have a colony somewhere in the house if the swarm appeared indoors.  You might want to consider professional assistance.  We believe this is the Pacific Coast Dampwood Termite, , which you may read about on BugGuide.

Related posts:

termite_alate_davidTermite Alate: Unseasonal October Rains result in numerous requests from California termite_alate_fremenTermite Alate termite_alate_alexTermite Alate termite_andrewFlying Termite
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Termite

On · Category: Termites · Add Comment

Subject: What kind of bug is this one?
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
November 16, 2012 2:13 am
I live in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. I found this bug crawling in my bed room. It has similar features to a bed bug but it looks like a termite as well. Can you help me identify it please?
Signature: Anonymous

Termite

Dear Anonymous,
This is not a Bed Bug.  We agree that this is a Termite.

Termite

Related posts:

termite_gatorlinkTermite termite_alate_fremenTermite Alate termite_alate_los_angelesTermite Alate termite_alate_texasTermite Alates
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Termite Damage, we believe

On · Category: Termites · Add Comment

Subject: Cocoons? Egg Sacks? Case bearers?
Location: England (UK)
November 5, 2012 12:10 pm
Hi There – I am a builder, and removing a customers skirting boards today I came across a mass infestation – but of what I don’t know!
Attached to the skirtings, floorboards, and packed between the joists are what appear to be egg cases or cocoons of some kind. They are fibrous (similar to a spider’s egg sack) but very tough, tubular (just over qtr inch diameter, 3 to 4 inches in length) and stuck fast to the timber.
Some of the timber shows signs of woodworm attack, but I’m guessing this is just coincidental. These things are everywhere!! What are they, and do they pose a danger to the structure of the floor?
Signature: Tim Cross

Possibly Termite Damage

Hi Tim,
Our gut feeling is that this is Termite Damage.  You can see some examples of Termite Damage on Inspectapedia.

Related posts:

termite_damage_terencePossibly Termite Damage termite_soldier_lanceTermite Soldier termite_winged_georgiaFlying Termite: Nuptial Flight termite_alate_alexTermite Alate
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Termites swarm in San Francisco

On · Category: Termites · Add Comment

Subject: Found about 50 of these flying around my apt is SF
Location: San Francisco, CA
October 26, 2012 9:32 pm
Dear bugman, I arrived home tonight to the flutter of a thousand wings (well, actually more like 200 wings). After turning on the lights, these guys went crazy. I live in a ground floor in-law apartment in a residential neighborhood of San Francisco. Possibly related is that we had rain a couple days ago, and there are several access points to the crawlspace of the house in my apt. Any ideas? Any remedies for minimizing future outbreaks? Thanks for taking a look!
Signature: Flustered

Termite Alate

Dear Flustered,
You have Termites.  The reproductive kings and queens, known as Alates, swarm on a nuptial flight, often after a rain.  We would suggest professional assistance.

Related posts:

Flying TermiteFlying Termites san_francisco_lacewing_daveSan Francisco Lacewing termite_alates_swarm_amandaSwarming Termites termites_lynneTermites after fatal nuptial flight
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination