Termites inflict the most significant property damage of any pest in the United States, generating about $5 billion annually. To prevent your house from joining that alarming statistic, we’d like to advise you on what to check for in your home if you suspect termites.
What Do Termites Look Like?
The most straightforward approach to diagnosing a termite infestation is to find the termite itself. While everyone has heard of termites, many people are unfamiliar with their appearance. There are a few significant characteristics between termites and ants that you should be aware of while trying to self-diagnose a termite infestation, including:
Coloration- Termites are often lighter in color than ants, ranging from a creamy white to a brownish tone, as opposed to the deeper browns and blacks seen in ants.
Size – Termites are typically 18 to 1 inch in length. This is the size of the most common termite caste; the queen of a colony might grow to be 6 inches long with her big tummy.
Body shape -Here is where the main difference may be detected. Termites have large waists, but ants have tight waists. They also have shorter legs and straight antennae than ants’ curved antennae.
Wings -Termites seldom have wings, but when they do, they have two sets of branches that are equal in length. Ants’ wing pairs vary in size.
What Are The Different Types Of Termites?
Although over 45 distinct termite species in the United States, they typically fall into one of three types. Its classification is based mainly on appearance, nesting site, and behavior. The three most prevalent termite species are:
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites, the most prevalent termite, nest in soils throughout the continental United States. Being the builders of the enormous nests of any termite species, they are the leading source of damage to houses and property. These termites will dig mud tunnels under your lawn to get to their food supply, the delicious wood of your home.
Drywood Termites
As the name implies, dry wood termites prefer to live in dead or dying dry wood, such as dead trees, structural beams, or solid hardwood flooring. They will do everything possible to avoid dirt, so seek them on and around your land. While more significant than their underground counterparts, they have smaller colonies, so they wreak slower harm. However, this does not imply they do not pose a substantial danger to your house.
Formosan Termites
The most dangerous termites are, without a doubt, Formosan termites. They are tough to remove once lodged because of the extensive paths between their nest and food supply. They can also set up temporary shops in high-food places, like your house, and the principal nest remains even if you remove any nesting in your home.
Do Termites Have Wings?
The primary explanation is that termites do have wings. Before picturing swarms of flying termites invading your house, remember that only certain castes have wings; even then, they only pass at particular periods. The only termite caste in a colony with branches is the alate nymphs, known as termite swarmers.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
However, given the damage that termites can inflict, it is relatively straightforward to recognize indicators of a severe termite infestation if you know what to look for. The following are the most prevalent symptoms of a termite infestation:
Hollowed-out wood- When you walk over it, you may be able to hear it.
Blisters in wooden flooring- Like if there were tiny bubbles on your floor.
Pellets or droppings- These will resemble coffee grinds.
Bodies or wings- They are around the size of ants.
Mud Tubes-Tubing that may be found outdoors or in your crawlspace.
Are Termites Harmful to Humans?
Although termites are a big menace to your house, they offer little to no harm to you or your loved ones other than bringing the building down on top of you. They are not known to carry any potentially deadly illnesses, nor do they exhibit any desire to bite or sting humans until provoked.
What Attracts Termites to My House?
Termites, like many insects, are primarily interested in finding a food supply. Since wood is their primary food source, dwellings seem exceedingly appetizing from their perspective. Termites like dampness as well. Moisture in wood, moist patches in the house, and any external cracks. Termites like warm temperatures; therefore, the spring, early summer, and autumn seasons are the most vulnerable to termites. When you combine the heat and humidity, it’s simple to understand why the southern United States is a termite hotspot.
How to Prevent Termites
Termite prevention is always preferable to termite removal, saving you money in the long run. Top termite prevention strategies include:
Keep outside plants out of the house – This involves the development of tree branches. Keeping all shrubs and leafage away from home prevents subterranean termites from spreading from your yard to your house.
Keep your foundations dry – Whether you have a crawlspace, basement, timber, or another form of foundation, keeping it moisture-free is critical. During severe rain or flash floods, look for any persistent wet places to determine possible moisture concerns.
Remove any yard debris regularly – Keep all yard detritus away from the house from falling leaves to mulch. This involves ensuring that your gutters are cleaned regularly.
During the swarming season, keep an eye out for flying termites- Since flying termites are the breeders, keeping them away from your house is critical. If you see them buzzing about, keep your windows closed, turn off your lights at night, and ensure no openings in your home.
How to Get Rid of Termites
If you’ve read this far, you probably already know a lot of stuff and want to know how to remove those pesky termites from your house. Although we would encourage expert assistance, particularly given the possibility of significant termite damage in the home, there are several things you may do on your own:
Termite products – There are several termite removal treatments on the market, and although their efficiency varies, they will all assist in eliminating termites. There are two types of products available: spot treatments and bait treatments.
Beneficial nematodes -A more natural termite remedy, these tiny roundworms are termite parasites and will kill them in days.
Essential oils – Certain essential oils, such as orange and neem oil, may assist in killing termites in several ways, including disrupting the shedding process or egg-laying.
Boric acid – Boric acid is a well-known way of killing termites since it disrupts their whole system.
Hopefully, you’ve learned how to spot termites and protect your property from termite infestations. As usual, we suggest contacting the experts at Carlsbad-pest-control.com for all your termite removal requirements.