What kind of bug is this?

[bigsixfive 341]

I found 4 swimming in my toilet. I haven't seen anything else around the house. The closest thing I can find on the internet is a termite nymph, but these bodies are slightly more slender. I've got a termite contract on my house, too. The vent is directly above the toilet, I'm hoping something just laid its eggs in the vent and they fell through or something. They're right at 1cm long (about 3/8 of an inch).

[AUesquire 1]

I'm no bugacologist, but that looks like a termite to me.

However, if they were in your toilet and floating on anything....they could be dung beetles.

[AU_tiger_2000 0]

I think it is time to call in that termite warranty.

[bigsixfive 341]

I did. The guy is out of town until next week, he's supposed to stop by then. I grabbed several of them and put them in a ziploc bag with a piece of moistened cardboard to chew on. I saw 8 total: 4 around 10, 1 about 11:30, then 3 at 4:30 this morning. All but 2 were in my toilet, and those 2 were on the floor by the toilet not moving (presumably dead). I haven't seen any today. I can't figure out where they came from though, there are no signs of them anywhere inside or outside. I went up in my attic and didn't notice anything, and I can't imagine why they'd be up there anyways since its so hot and dry.

[LegalEagle 22]

Were they swimming freestyle? Breaststroke, backstroke, etc.?

Is anyone in your home sexually active? This could be the final stage of STDs.

[tiger88 934]

These look like Malaysian Butt Borers. It's been nice knowing you.

[bigsixfive 341]

For anyone interested, that is a Formosan termite. These are supposed to be pretty serious. They don't need water like regular (native) ones do, and therefore don't have to go to the ground periodically. That makes prevention near impossible. They can spread so quickly and are so serious that the state of Georgia pays to have your home treated (not sure about AL). We're having to notify the state that I've seen some, even though we found no nest or any damage. If you're in the AO area, be on the lookout for them.

[IslandTiger 0]

I'm no bugacologist, but that looks like a termite to me.

However, if they were in your toilet and floating on anything....they could be dung beetles.

Great point but that might bring in Termite-by-Proxy-Syndrome(TPS).......Have you noticed any signs of wood consumption by the family members lately?? Sawdust on or around the dinner table and or missing chairs from the dinner table its self??, bite marks out of the Sunday Newspaper??, kids exhibiting strange hypnotic-like attraction to black-lights??

[IslandTiger 0]

Were they swimming freestyle? Breaststroke, backstroke, etc.?

Is anyone in your home sexually active? This could be the final stage of STDs.

By the way-What would one have to have unprotected sex with in order to catch Formosan Termites....just in case.....

[bigsixfive 341]

By the way-What would one have to have unprotected sex with in order to catch Formosan Termites....just in case.....

Apparently wood like landscaping timbers originating from the Gulf Coast. That's how they spread over larger distances since they don't fly well.

[IslandTiger 0]

By the way-What would one have to have unprotected sex with in order to catch Formosan Termites....just in case.....

Apparently wood like landscaping timbers originating from the Gulf Coast. That's how they spread over larger distances since they don't fly well.

Intercourse with landscaping timbers huh???....Hmmmm, wasn't that done in one of the National Lampoon or American Pie movies??? I wonder if...nah.....

[LegalEagle 22]

By the way-What would one have to have unprotected sex with in order to catch Formosan Termites....just in case.....

Apparently wood like landscaping timbers originating from the Gulf Coast. That's how they spread over larger distances since they don't fly well.

Intercourse with landscaping timbers huh???....Hmmmm, wasn't that done in one of the National Lampoon or American Pie movies??? I wonder if...nah.....

I knew guys "get some wood" down there, or have a "woody" from time to time, but that's serious wood when termites attack it! And I have to admit, I'd be more than proud if anyone or anything mistook my "wood" for a "landscaping timber"!

[lukeduke 8]

By the way-What would one have to have unprotected sex with in order to catch Formosan Termites....just in case.....

Apparently wood like landscaping timbers originating from the Gulf Coast. That's how they spread over larger distances since they don't fly well.

Intercourse with landscaping timbers huh???....Hmmmm, wasn't that done in one of the National Lampoon or American Pie movies??? I wonder if...nah.....

I knew guys "get some wood" down there, or have a "woody" from time to time, but that's serious wood when termites attack it! And I have to admit, I'd be more than proud if anyone or anything mistook my "wood" for a "landscaping timber"!

Me too, I think I'm safe as long as there is no termite run on toothpicks

[AUesquire 1]

Folks, just make sure your wood stays dry. Especially any wood you may have in the morning.

[lukeduke 8]

Folks, just make sure your wood stays dry. Especially any wood you may have in the morning.

Doesn't that go against the nature of wood?

[abrnfanatc 6]

Folks, just make sure your wood stays dry. Especially any wood you may have in the morning.

Doesn't that go against the nature of wood?

Yes, everyone knows you have to keep your wood moist. Dry wood will just rot away eventually.

[AUesquire 1]

Folks, just make sure your wood stays dry. Especially any wood you may have in the morning.

Doesn't that go against the nature of wood?

Yes, everyone knows you have to keep your wood moist. Dry wood will just rot away eventually.

Is there some way we can protect our wood?

[CCTAU 3,494]

For anyone interested, that is a Formosan termite. These are supposed to be pretty serious. They don't need water like regular (native) ones do, and therefore don't have to go to the ground periodically. That makes prevention near impossible. They can spread so quickly and are so serious that the state of Georgia pays to have your home treated (not sure about AL). We're having to notify the state that I've seen some, even though we found no nest or any damage. If you're in the AO area, be on the lookout for them.

I read about these last year. They are serious and so far, cannot be stopped. A lot of cross ties from the coastal area have them. If the cross tie is not super heavy, it may be infested with these things. They have been trying to isolate them and keep them from spreading to other parts of the country, but eventually they will move along. I just pray by the time they get too far, we will have figured out a way to stop them. Let us know what you find out.

INFO #1

INFO #2

[AUJarhead 70]

They have been trying to isolate them and keep them from spreading to other parts of the country

For once, it pays to live in Yankeeville...

Their distribution will probably continue to be restricted to southern areas because their eggs will not hatch below about 20°C (68 °F).

Formosan subterranean termite

[abrnfanatc 6]

Folks, just make sure your wood stays dry. Especially any wood you may have in the morning.

Doesn't that go against the nature of wood?

Yes, everyone knows you have to keep your wood moist. Dry wood will just rot away eventually.

Is there some way we can protect our wood?

Wolman can help.

"Once coated, your wood will better withstand the elements, look beautiful, and give you many seasons of outdoor living pleasure."

Got Wood?

[lukeduke 8]

Folks, just make sure your wood stays dry. Especially any wood you may have in the morning.

Doesn't that go against the nature of wood?

Yes, everyone knows you have to keep your wood moist. Dry wood will just rot away eventually.

Well, when it comes to protecting a deck, here is an article on latex based vs water based protection. I have never really used the water based, but I can vouch for the latex based. It has been around for a while and has many exciting variations and colors. While applying stain protection to your deck will take away some of the good natural wood feel, the protection from bugs and such is well worth it.

Deck Stain

[AUesquire 1]

My wife loves my deck. At first, she really didn't like it but the more she sits on my deck, the more she likes it.

[lukeduke 8]

One of my friends has a really big deck. He likes to brag on how he gets three people to sit on it at once.

[AUesquire 1]

My deck's really small. But, someone told me if I shave the bushes from around the base of my deck, that'd make it look bigger.

[lukeduke 8]

If you've got money, you don't need a big deck