Question about termites...?

Question

My apartment has hard wood floors & is an old historical house. Recently, I have noticed little tiny wings laying around the the apartment. Then I saw a bug I had never seen before. Then I saw one of the strange bugs flying around with these wings I see everywhere. I Googled an image of a termite & low & behold... it was what is in my place.

I called my landlord & he gave some excuse about ants.

My question is this:

What do I do about these things (other than the obvious of tell the landlord & or the board of health)? I mean, can these things carry diseases or bite?

Answer 1

Ants can swarm also and are confused with termites all the time. Best way to tell is by looking at the body of the swarmer and if it has a "pinched waist" its an ant. Termites have no waist.

Depending on where you live and the type of termite it can range on the problems you may have. Most subterranean termite swarmers do no damage but could be a sign of an infestation.

Most pest control companies offer a free home inspection and would come check the bugs and the building and can report it back to the landlord.

Answer 2

They aren't interested in biting you, they have a house to destroy! The landlord should have an exterminator treat the house if he wants to avoid a costly repair bill down the road.

Answer 3

I have never heard of them biting or carrying disease but they will get into your wooden furniture and eat it. Also you may carry them with you when you move.  It is the larvae that does the damage not the winged adults. They swarm at certain times to lay eggs in places then die.  There is are ants that do the same thing though. Best thing to do is call an exterminator that gives free evaluations and find out for sure what they are. There are different varities of termites and all like specific enviroments.

Hope this helps!