Are these termites? - Ask Extension
I found these little bugs crawling around on wood that I have in the garage. It does not appear to be any damage to the wood.
Knowledgebase
Are these termites? #783677
Asked March 10, 2022, 9:52 AM EST
I found these little bugs crawling around on wood that I have in the garage. It does not appear to be any damage to the wood.
Union County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Michael,
No need to worry. Those are not termites.
They are elongate-bodied springtails (Class: Collembola, Order: Entomobryomorpha). Here is a link to a photo of another one of these that looks somewhat similar to the ones you have...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1942358
Springtails are small, wingless animals related to insects. They have a tail-like structure (called a furcula) that they keep tucked under their bodies most of the time. However, they can flick that tail-like structure down and out and this causes them to spring about (hence the name springtails).
Springtails are scavengers. Most eat molds and other fungi, but they can also eat pollen and dead invertebrates. Some will also feed on live plants or will prey upon other small invertebrates. They like moist environments and are often found with decaying leaves or other decomposing organic matter. Occasionally large numbers can enter a building and at that point they can be considered nuisance pests, but they don't bite and they don't do any damage indoors.
If you find large numbers of these in your house, here are some control recommendations from the PNW Insect Management Handbook...
Management
Eliminate moist breeding areas inside the house. Inspect home to make sure there are no plumbing leaks. Eliminate moisture, especially excessively moist conditions under the building. Remove leaves, mulch, etc., from around foundation. In some cases it is necessary to have the interior of the home treated in conjunction with eliminating excessively moist conditions.
Hope that helps!
No need to worry. Those are not termites.
They are elongate-bodied springtails (Class: Collembola, Order: Entomobryomorpha). Here is a link to a photo of another one of these that looks somewhat similar to the ones you have...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1942358
Springtails are small, wingless animals related to insects. They have a tail-like structure (called a furcula) that they keep tucked under their bodies most of the time. However, they can flick that tail-like structure down and out and this causes them to spring about (hence the name springtails).
Springtails are scavengers. Most eat molds and other fungi, but they can also eat pollen and dead invertebrates. Some will also feed on live plants or will prey upon other small invertebrates. They like moist environments and are often found with decaying leaves or other decomposing organic matter. Occasionally large numbers can enter a building and at that point they can be considered nuisance pests, but they don't bite and they don't do any damage indoors.
If you find large numbers of these in your house, here are some control recommendations from the PNW Insect Management Handbook...
Management
Eliminate moist breeding areas inside the house. Inspect home to make sure there are no plumbing leaks. Eliminate moisture, especially excessively moist conditions under the building. Remove leaves, mulch, etc., from around foundation. In some cases it is necessary to have the interior of the home treated in conjunction with eliminating excessively moist conditions.
Hope that helps!
