Termite Identification
More than 2,000 termite species live around the globe, but only one calls this region home. The subterranean termite is a dreaded pest that can build colonies of up to two million termites.
Types of Termites
Signs of Termites
The most worrisome thing about termites is that you can have an active infestation and never see any signs until the damage is already extensive. However, when you know what to look for and take preventative steps like performing regular inspections, you have better odds of noticing something is wrong.
Mud Tubes
Termites are very susceptible to dehydration, which is why they love moisture-rich, humid areas. To protect themselves, they typically remain underground, building tunnels called mud tubes to navigate from the colony to their food source. You might find them on the exteriors or interiors of buildings and other structures.
Swarmers
As reproductive termites mature, they develop wings and fly away, usually clustering together near windows and doors as they look for mates. At this point, they look similar to winged ants but with wings that are equal in size. Once they find mates, they discard their wings, which is why you might find the discarded wings in piles.
Blemished Wood Surfaces
Termites tunnel through wood as they consume the pulp, slowly compromising the wood’s structural integrity. In turn, wood may begin sounding hollow if you knock on it, or the surface could develop irregularities like bubbling or blistering.
How Do I Get Rid of Termites?
Do not try to eliminate termites on your own. This is not a DIY project; it’s a potentially serious problem requiring professional intervention. Subterranean termites have sharp teeth and jaws that saw through wood, allowing these tiny insects to cause huge amounts of damage. They work inside wood and underground, making them notoriously difficult to spot.
Still, you can take preventative steps to help reduce the odds of a termite infestation. Some actions include:
- Fix Moisture Problems Promptly: Termites love moisture. Anything from clogged gutters to inadequate drainage to leaky pipes can create an environment termites love.
- Termite Exclusion: Sealing any potential entryways, including small cracks, that termites could use to get inside can go a long way to preventing an infestation.
- Keep Wood Off the Ground: Subterranean termites tunnel up from the ground to reach their food sources. Keeping wood elements an inch or more above ground level can minimize the risk of termites.
Termite Facts
Lifespan
Termites generally live for an average of two years after becoming mature. That said, reproductive termites can live up to four years, and queens may reign for 10 years or longer.
Food Sources
Termites and wood go hand in hand. In fact, these insects are notorious for their love of cellulose. They eat constantly, often consuming up to three percent of their body weight daily.
Reproduction
Each colony has only one queen who can lay anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 eggs every year. As termites mature, those known as reproductives leave the colony to find mates and establish their own colonies.
Risk of Disease
The biggest risk with termites comes from significant structural damage, which can pose a hazard once it becomes extensive. On a positive note, these insects are not known as disease carriers.
Where are termites found?
Termites can be found throughout the United States in every state but Alaska. They build their colonies inside wooden structures, including exposed or moisture-damaged wood. They do not discriminate and can be found in attics, window trim, floor joists, and other wooden elements.
When are mice active?
Termites are an issue all year. However, they tend to become more active during the warm parts of the year. Swarming season, which occurs as reproductive termites leave their colonies to find mates, typically starts in spring.
More Information About Termites
Do Termites Like Moisture? The Role of Moisture in Termite Infestations
10 Signs You Have Termites
Are Termites Attracted to Light? Unveiling the Truth
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you prevent termites?
Keeping termites out of your home begins with maintaining the exterior of the house. Some of the preventative steps you can take include the following, all of which help reduce shelter for termites:
- Remove wet or rotted wood near the house and trim back shrubs and/or bushes that have grown too close to the foundation.
- Avoid having areas with excess moisture by fixing leaky water hoses and making sure that water slopes away from the house.
- Store firewood away from the home and seal cracks and crevices in your foundation with silicone.
- Create an 18-inch border of stones or gravel, beginning at the base of the foundation, to separate landscaping from the house and to help prevent these pests from getting inside.
Are termites nocturnal?
The most common termites in this area, subterranean termites, chew wood 24/7. That said, when termites swarm or become more active, it’s typically during the early morning and nighttime hours.
How to look for termite damage?
Subterranean termites can cause extensive damage before any sign of their presence. Inspect wood for buckling, blistering, or other noticeable signs of termite activity.
Can you hear termites?
Termites are often referred to as “silent destroyers.” While they are nearly silent in most cases, in heavy infestations, they may emit sounds like clicking and rustling as they chew through the wood.
