Do Termites Make Cocoons?

Need to get rid of termites? Read on to learn the answers to all of your important questions. Need help? Call our professionals today to get started.

Do Termites Make Cocoons?

Termites can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Knowing this, you are probably quite vigilant about watching for the signs of termites and termite damage. You may have noticed something that looks like a cocoon attached to your wall and wondered if it is a cocoon. 

Termites do not make cocoons. What you are probably seeing is what is called a “mud tube” a common structure made by termites. 

What Are Cocoons?

What is the difference between a mud tube and a cocoon? Several kinds of insects make cocoons as a way to protect the larval stage of metamorphosis, the pupa, as it develops into its mature adult stage. Insects that undergo this kind of complete metamorphosis include butterflies, wasps, beetles and fleas. Cocoons are traditionally made out of silk, an extremely durable material, to protect themselves as they transition to adulthood.

What Is A Mud Tube?

Mud tubes are made by subterranean termites. Mud tubes are pencil-sized, dirt-colored tunnels that work as passages through which termites travel between their underground nests and the wood they consume. Mud tubes protect termites from extreme temperatures, predators and other adverse conditions. These tunnels are mad from saliva and fecal matter and work to impede cool, dry air, creating the correct warm, moist environment for subterranean termites to live. Mud tubes may be found anywhere there is a food source or where the ground meets your home. You might find them in your walls, ceilings and floors and also around your foundation. 

Help With Termites 

Finding cocoons in or around your home can be unsettling, but finding termite mud tubes is another level of worry. Early detection and a quick response with the right kind of termite treatment are crucial in the fight against termite damage. If you think your home has been invaded by termites and need to find a termite specialist in your area, call Pest Control Experts who will recommend the right pest care professional who can devise the right plan to address your home’s particular termite issues.