Experts say that an average termite colony – one with about 60,000 termites – can destroy a 2x4 piece of wood in six months. However, it is not uncommon for Formosan termites to live in colonies 20 times larger. Over time, that can lead to significant damage in your home.
There are two telltale signs you might have subterranean termites in your home. Can you guess what they are? If you guessed that the presence of discarded wings (from spring swarming), and the existence of mud tubes near or on your foundation, you're right.
Your home is the largest investment many people will make in their lifetimes. In order to safeguard your investment – and your belongings – treating against termites is critical.
One misconception regarding termites is that homes on concrete foundations are safe while wood frame homes are not. Experts say termites can get into any home, considering they only need a crack in the foundation or around a drain line that is as small as 1/32nd of an inch.
Although many home improvement stores carry products that will allow you to treat against termites, not everything you can buy in the store is effective. When you need to be sure you’ve killed every last termite, it’s time to call in a professional.
OK, no one is suggesting that a homeowner can battle termites by eating them. But did you know some people do eat termites – and like them? Scientists say they are non-toxic and have no fat or carbohydrates. They have even been sold in the form of casseroles, in funnel cakes and covered with chocolate.
The damage caused by subterranean termites is quite distinctive. They tend to leave the tougher grain wood intact, but they gnaw a defined honeycomb or network of tunnels in the soft, moist spring wood fiber.
It’s important to remember that the products you used to fight termites in your home are only part of the equation. Without the knowledge provided by a skilled professional, it’s easy to miss an area that needed treatment, allowing the termites to continue causing damage.
Did you know that some termite nests can contain as many as 2 million termites? One of the biggest known termite nests was found in Australia. It was so large that it measured ten meters across and contained more than 3 million termites.
Subterranean termites tend to be very destructive. They have been known to destroy building foundations, wooden support beams, and subflooring, as well as plastic plumbing pipes and insulation.
Did you know that the majority of termites cannot see? Nearly all workers and soldiers, because they spend their lives in dark colonies, never develop the ability to see. Only reproductive termites have eyesight, which is necessary as they leave one colony to establish a new one.
If you think attentive dads are pretty adorable, you may like this factoid about termites: Male "king" termites live longer than the general male population and help rear their young by feeding them predigested food.
If you find damaged wood or studs, baseboards or floor sections that sound hollow, you could break it open to see if there are any honeycombed patterns. This is a sure sign of termites and means you need to call in the experts immediately.
One of the best ways to tell if you have a current termite infestation is to check your home's water pipes and nearby areas. Many species of termites require a nearby water supply, and you can find them in or near these areas. They can also be found in crawl spaces, attics, and basements.
You probably know termites can destroy the wood in your home. These small insects are voracious eaters and surprisingly long lived. Care to guess the lifespan of an average worker termite? If you guessed two years, you're right.
Formosan termites are not immune to termite control, but if left untouched a colony do serious damage. Experts say Formosan colonies are larger than most termites and can destroy up to 13 ounces of wood a day.
What are you going to do with your family and pets for up to 4 or 5 days while your house is fumigated for termites? Ask your pest control experts about local treatment options that can handle whole-house infestations, since moving the family away may not be a workable option.
Termite colonies literally eat non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is why it’s always important to be on the lookout for signs of termite infestation and to have your home inspected to try to catch the issue early on.
A sure sign of termite infestation in your home is the presence of pencil-sized mud tubes. If you find these, it’s best to have a professional termite inspection done as soon as possible.
Do you have any firewood or other types of wood outside your home? Termite experts know to check wood in and around a home to see if it sounds hollow or is badly damaged. Termites are attracted to the cellulose in wood, which they ingest.
Getting a termite inspection is the first step to determine what kind of treatment and repairs will be necessary. Even if everything looks good, it’s still wise to get treatment to prevent termites.
In the category of a fact only a scientist would know, termites are among the cleanest of all insects. They spend a great deal of time grooming one another in an apparent effort to stop any bacteria or parasites from taking control of their colony.
In many places around the country, homebuyers want assurance that there are no termites on the property. We can regularly check for termites, giving you peace of mind and offering proof that will come in handy if you ever decide to sell your home.
If you think your house may have become home to a termite colony, give us a call and we will thoroughly check both inside and outside your home for evidence of termites.
