Are Termites In Charlotte, NC Harmful To Humans?

Termites Don't Come Out To Bite You

If subterranean termites get into your Charlotte home, they're going to stay in the wood of your walls. These insects have a strong aversion to dry conditions and dry air. You need not have any fear that they will come out of your walls by the thousands, or hundreds of thousands, and bite you while you're sleeping. It just doesn't happen. Ever. You can sleep tight.

Termite Workers Aren't Defensive

When you expose termites inside wood, you'll find workers and soldiers together. The workers, which are the only termites in a colony that are capable of biting you, won't perceive you as a threat, nor is it their job to defend the colony from threats. That's the job of soldier termites. You can rip apart a wall with worker termites in it and have no fear of being bitten. We would, however, not recommend handling them—just to be on the safe side. They can chew through wood. They're not going to have trouble breaking through your skin.

Termite Soldiers Are No Match For You

If you look at termite soldiers, you might think that they can do a lot of damage to you. Soldiers have fierce-looking black pincers on the front of their heads. While they are scary for sure, those pincers are no match for the likes of you. A soldier will use those pincers against ants and other small bugs with much success. But they're far too weak to break through human skin or to even cause a mark on your skin. Soldiers may posture (or be frontin') but it's all an act. They can't take you.

A Termite Bite Isn't Bad

When an insect bites you, there are many concerns you may have. Mosquitoes can make you sick with a virus. Ticks can cause you to have lifelong health complications due to Lyme disease. Black widow spiders have potent venom, and brown recluse spiders have venom that can be necrotic. Even insects that are normally harmless can present a threat if you have an allergic reaction. Fortunately, none of these are a concern with termite bites.

Are Termites Harmless?

Hardly. If subterranean termites infest your Charlotte home or business, they can create a financial strain that can have far-reaching implications. Homeowners in Charlotte rely on their homes as part of their retirement. When subterranean termites are found, extensive damage is often discovered. This leads to expensive repairs or the decision to leave a home in disrepair, which can present a hazard. If a business owner discovers termites, it can create a financial challenge that can cause a struggling business to fail.