Termite Control

There are many types of termites: Drywood, Dampwood, Formosan and Conehead just to name a few. Some of these termites are brought in furniture and other items that are imported from coastal and Pacific regions. However, the most common in our area and throughout the United States is the subterranean termite.

Subterranean Termites:

These termites live in underground colonies with as many as two million members. They are destructive and cause more than a billion dollars in damage every year by literally eating the wood portion of the structure. Termites are a social insect with each class having a specific job. The queen can produce millions of offspring during her lifetime. Workers feed and care for the queen as well as other members of the colony. They gather food and clean the nest. Soldiers defend against enemies such as ants. And secondary reproductive termites are sometimes the first clue that there may be an infestation.
These reproductive termites swarm out of the nest – usually in the spring – to start new colonies. The homeowner may notice thousands of flying and dying termites in and around their home. A pest control expert should be called to confirm the identity and propose a treatment plan to prevent additional damage to the structure. Also, termite shelter tubes may be observed. These sand colored tubes usually come from the ground through expansion joints and plumbing openings. They may be observed in crawl spaces and outside foundation walls. Inside these tubes are the white worker termites. Generally, swarming termites and shelter tubes are the most likely way a homeowner will find termites on their own.
Termites are especially attracted to moisture. Avoid water accumulation near the foundation of your home. Divert water away with properly functioning gutters and downspouts. Crawl space areas should have proper ventilation to reduce humidity. Keep woodpiles and other cellulose material away from the foundation of your home and check for any wood to ground contact such as siding, garage door frames, railings and steps. A six inch clearance between wood and the soil is recommended and will make inspection easier.

Color – Range from peach to brown in color

Length – 1/8” to 1”

Diet – Their diet consists mainly of wood, plastic, wallpaper and fabric that has been manufactured from plants.

Habitat – These termites must maintain some kind of contact with soil, as they require moisture. They can often make mud tunnels near wooden areas of the home.

Impact – The subterranean termite is probably the most common and the most destructive to the wood structure of your home. If you suspect you have termites, you should not hesitate to rid your home of these damaging creatures.

Dampwood Termites:

These termites are a little different than their drywood counterparts in that they are usually bigger.

Color – Brown

Length – 1/2″ to 5/8” in length with a narrow, oval shaped body.

Diet – Dampwood termites love to feed on wet wood.

Habitat – They are very dependent on moisture, so wood that is constantly and consistently saturated with water is where they will live and feed.

Impact – Since they feed on wet wood, their impact is usually limited to wooden areas around or even in a home that is constantly wet.

Drywood Termites:

Drywood termites live in colonies and are less common than other termites.

Color – Light brown

Length – 3/8” to 1” in length with slender, oval shaped body.

Diet – Their diet consists mainly of wood, plastic, wallpaper and fabric that has been manufactured from plants.

Habitat – They are almost entirely found in dry wood.

Impact – These termites can tunnel into and nest in the wooden supports of homes and buildings and as a result weaken the support structure.