How destructive are termites?

Nationwide, termites cause over a billion dollars in damage annually more than all tornadoes, hurricanes and windstorms combined. Because they nibble away slowly from the inside, damage can be very extensive before it is noticed. It’s not unusual for a termite to feast on a building throughout a life span of 15 years and the queen can live and produce eggs for up to 50 years. Undetected and untreated, termites can severely damage and, in time, destroy a home.

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Don’t termites attack only old, run-down buildings?

Termites have been found in buildings as early as four days after construction. Every building fabricated wholly or partly of wood is susceptible. Chemical or mechanical barriers can be established in the construction stage, however, to prevent or discourage termite infestations in new homes.

 

Are there different kinds of termites?

Entomologists have identified over 2900 species, 55 of which exist in the United States. But there are only two kinds, basically, that homeowners have to worry about: subterranean termites and drywood termites.

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What is the difference?

They’re basically very similar. All termites subsist on cellulose, which they get from wood. And all termites are social insects with a highly organized caste system, much like ants. But subterranean termites, as the name indicates, usually live outside the house in underground nests. They use moisture in the earth to survive. Since they also need cellulose, they often tunnel into nearby homes to get it. Drywood termites, on the other hand, need no contact with the earth. They live right inside the homes that they devour.

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Where are termites found in the U.S.?

Subterranean termites inhabit the entire 48 states and Hawaii, but are most common in the southern two-thirds of the U.S. Drywood termites are not as widespread as subterranean termites. They’re mainly a problem in the Southern regions.

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How can I tell if I have a termite problem? And, if so, what kind?

Subterranean termites are often detected during swarming, usually in the spring, when some fly from their nests to start new colonies. Other signs are shelter tubes primarily composed of mud on the surface of walls, joists, piers, chimneys, plumbing and other fixtures. Weak or broken structural members, blistered wood and soil in cracks can also be evidence of subterranean termites. Drywood termites sometimes give themselves away by creating surface blisters on wood and leaving wings or piles of waste that look resemble salt and pepper looking sawdust on windowsills and floors.

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What if there aren’t any signs present, does that mean my home is free of termites?

Not necessarily. Termites work from the inside out and are very often hard to detect. Especially drywood termites that have no link to the outside and spend their entire lives indoors in walls, in roofs, etc. The only way you can be sure you are not sharing your home with termites is to have it inspected by a professional pest control operator (PCO).

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What does such an inspection involve?

Because a pest control operator has a trained eye and knows what to look for, his examination will be brief but thorough. He will identify evidence of any previous treatments or infestations, any wood-destroying organisms present and the damage they’ve caused, and any structural conditions that may make your home especially vulnerable to attack.

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What will an inspection cost?

The cost of an inspection varies. However, our inspection is FREE.

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Suppose my home has termites. How can I get rid of them?

You have three options: spot treatment, fumigation or physical removal of infested wood. But for drywood termites a wood-penetrating gas fumigant is the only sure way.