Oklahoma Termite Specialist, Inc. is a full-service termite inspection and treatment company. We offer business owners, home owners and buyers top-quality inspections and treatments. One year warranties are offered for homes that qualify.

If treatment is necessary we use the best product available in the industry--Termidor. For more information about Termidor, visit their website here.

Termites 

It is estimated that termites damage approximately 600,000 U.S. homes every year. Residents will spend an estimated $5 million every year to control termites. A homeowner will spend on average around $3,000 to fix termite damage once it is discovered. 

In Oklahoma, subterranean termites cause millions of dollars of damage each year. For most homeowners it is not a question of "if" but "when" termites attack their home. The probability of termites attacking a structure with 10 to 20 years of being built is higher than 70%.....don't let your home be one of them!

Termite Identification 

One of the most common mistakes made when identifying termites is to confuse the winged reproductive adult aka "swarmer" with a winged ant.

There are 3 major differences between the two:

1) WINGS: Termites and ants have 2 pairs of wings. Termites have wings that are longer than their body and the wings are the same length. Ants have wings of different lengths, one long and one short. 

2) WAIST: Termites have a broad waist. Ants have a narrow waist. 

3) ANTENNAE: Termite have a straight, beaded antennae. Ants have an elbowed antennae.

Life Cycle of Termites

Termite colonies consist of three different castes. Each termite has a role to play for the colony. 

The worker is responsible for termite damage. They are white or yellowish in color. They make up the bulk of termite colonies.

The Soldier defends the colony. They are distinguishable by their large mandibles.

The reproductive termite aka "swarmer" is responsible for the reproduction of the colony. They swarm when the conditions are right, then pair up and leave to start new colonies.

The colony's queen will always be at the deepest part of the soil so that she is protected. The queen termite regulates the balance of the castes in the colony with pheromones. If the queen dies or becomes sterile, a supplementary reproductive termite will take her place.

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​Termite Activity

Termites eat wood. More specifically they eat cellulose. Cellulose can be found in paper, books, magazines, cardboard and sheetrock. Termites prefer to eat decayed wood, and are attracted to odors produced by wood-decaying fungi. 

It is important to know the signs of a termite infestation. That's where we come in. Our inspectors look for termite frass, termite tubes, exit holes, live termites, wings of reproductive termites, and termite damage. 

Termite frass is termite feces, left behind by active termites. It will appear in areas that the termites frequent, and will look like brown, dirt-like specks.

Termite tubes or mud tubes, are tunnels constructed by the termites that connects their nest to their food sources. The tubes are made of a mud-like material that is a mixture of saliva, feces, and soil. These tubes allow for protection and for the termites to retain the moisture they need to survive. 

Exit holes are tiny holes sometimes found in walls. These holes are about the size of a nail head or smaller. These holes are used by the termites to determine environmental conditions outside of the colony. 

Knowing you have termites and waiting to have the property treated will cause more damage, which results in more money and time invested to treat the problem. Pretending we don't know about the problem will not make the termites go away. We all like to save a buck or two, but when dealing with termites you need to have the property inspected and treated. Most importantly, don't forget to follow up with an annual inspection. Maintaining an annual inspection not only gives you peace of mind, but helps prevent any further damage that can wreak havoc on your largest investment.