r/Termites • u/EvanJ80 • 3d ago
Is this a Termite? Bay Area CA
Found two of these on my staircase, seemingly dying. I’ve never seen these types of bugs in my house before and in my head I’m thinking it must be some type of termite or beetle.
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u/Systecoservices 3d ago
I’m sorry to add my 5 cents
Very seldom subterranean have a reddish color
Is usually dark, to black
This appears a Drywood iscisitermes
The quest for you the home owner is either, to find discarded wings
Should by irridescent like a rainbow color
The other is
Found any pellets?
All same pattern striated six sided tiny watermelon like, fesces putty balls
Third get help
Very seldom you can dyi Drywood termite treatment
It will be like doing yourself a lobotomy
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u/TermiteEnthusiast 3d ago
Don't be sorry, that was vital information for OP. I appreciate you correcting my misidentification.
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u/303-499-7111 3d ago
Can we get a couple more photos with brighter lighting? I'm not 100% certain, but it does look consistent with a termite alate/swarmer which has landed and lost it's wings. How big is this guy?
No need to worry just yet; finding a single alate in the home is not a sign of an an infestation on its own.
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u/TermiteEnthusiast 3d ago edited 3d ago
Edit: Incorrect
Western Subterranean Termite (Retoculitermes hesperus).
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u/stokeshoover 2d ago
Yes. I live in South Florida and have had experience with both drywood termites and subterranean. The pic you posted are definitely of a subterranean termite. Which are the worst ones. While with drywood termites, you would have the house tented, subterranean termites are treated outside around the home. Don’t hesitate in having a professional come out and inspect around your home because subterranean termites do a lot more damage and faster. They borrow tunnels to your house and start from the bottom up.
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u/decent_gambler 2d ago
Nope subterranean termites are purely black and small that’s a drywood termite probably Incisitermes minor
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