If you want to keep termites out of your home, you need to know where they come from. The presence of termites in a building may make you think that only damaged wood attracts them. But that is all they eat! The most common type of termite is found underground, where it constructs enormous nests for its queen and her workers.
Termite infestations can be difficult to get rid of and even more difficult to prevent if you don’t understand where they come from and what causes them. For this reason, On Demand Pest Control has compiled the following comprehensive guide to termites:
Where Do Termites Live?
Drywood termites, subterranean termites, and dampwood termites are the three most common kinds. Each species is best suited to its own unique environment. Their unique dietary and shelter requirements are met in these settings. Termites unfortunately often find permanent nesting sites inside of homes.
Drywood Termites
Drywood Termites prefer to live in dry wood, hence the name. Some of their preferred hangouts include woodshops, suburbs, and forests. That’s why they’re in your house: to move into uninhabited furniture and firewood. Typically, these pests construct their homes inside of massive old trees.
Dampwood Termites
If you guessed that, you were correct. In contrast to drywood termites, which favor arid conditions, dampwood termites thrive in humid areas. Infestations of dampwood termites are common in decaying wood and trees. Homes with high humidity due to leaks are attractive to them.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites need constant access to damp places. Their origin and preferred habitats are the same as those of dampwood termites. The most notable distinction is that they construct mud tunnels to reach their food.
Where Are Termites Found?
Termites are a worldwide problem, as they have colonized every continent except Antarctica. Where then do termites make their home?
Are there Termites in Colorado? Are there Termites in Minnesota? What About Termites in Michigan?
Many people mistakenly believe that termites don’t exist in the north. It’s not like that at all. Termites are a common pest throughout North America. Termites are the most problematic wood-destroying insect in Michigan.
Most of the termites in the United States and Canada are of the Eastern Subterranean variety. From New York and Texas to Utah and Ontario, they are spread across the continent. It is prudent to assume that anyone living in the On Demand service area is vulnerable to a termite infestation.
Termite Season: When Do Termites Swarm?
“Termite swarmers,” winged termites that emerge from their winter nests when the temperature reaches 70 degrees, are on the lookout for mates when the weather warms up. After mating, the winged reproductives of a termite colony are lopped off and the adults begin searching for a new home. The colony forms quickly after the queen begins laying eggs in a favorable location. In most years, colony formation begins around the middle of June.
Do Termites Die in the Winter?
Termites are typically eradicated by the onset of winter. However, if colonies can keep themselves warm and safe indoors, they may survive the winter.
What Causes Termites?
Like many other pests, termites are drawn to sources of nourishment, safety, and hydration. Termites will colonize a location if they can get to the food source quickly and unimpeded.
- Food Termites feed on cellulose and wood. Termites will always be most attracted to areas where these are present. Termites find paper, wood, firewood, and framing to be irresistible.
- Shelter Termites are most comfortable in a humid, dark, and warm environment. Most homes have a few likely spots: the attic, the crawlspace, and the garage.
- Water Soil that is damp is a common source of water for termites. If your gutters and downspouts aren’t working properly, termites may move into your yard.
Early Warning Signs of Termites
Floor damage, wall damage, pellet piles, and carved patterns in wood are all symptoms of a termite infestation. The more time termites have to settle in, the more severe their damage will be.
Termite damage can be avoided if infestations are found and dealt with promptly. You need to be aware of the warning signs of a termite infestation if you want to take preventative measures. Here are some signs that you might have a termite problem:
Wall damage. There will be a wide range of manifestations of this. Drywall damaged by termites will lose its strength and become discolored and sagging. The wall’s paint is flaking and the wallpaper is coming off.
Floor damage. Wood in your home will absorb more moisture if termites invade. Wooden floors can buckle and warp if this happens. Tiles can come loose from their adhesives and laminates can peel.
Small piles of pellets. Termite droppings resemble small piles of sawdust or the granular appearance of salt and pepper.
Visual patterns in wood. Wooden items such as furniture, flooring, and cabinetry will cause you to observe regularities. The designs etched into the wood will be intricate and small.
Discarded wings. After fertilization, winged termites lose their wings. Evidence of an early infestation can be found in the tiny, shed wings of swarmer termites.
Where Do Termites Live?
What then is the source of the termite infestation inside the house? Termites can easily invade structures whenever wood comes in contact with soil. Door and window casings, deck joists, and similar items fall into this category. Subterranean termites are one species that can tunnel under a house’s foundation to reach the wood they feast on.
How To Prevent Termites
Eliminating termites’ sources of sustenance and shelter is the first line of defense against an infestation. Reducing termites’ access to food, water, and shelter is the most straightforward method of pest control. Methodologically, this is how it works:
- It’s important to address plumbing issues as soon as possible. Maintaining a low indoor humidity through proper ventilation is essential for termite control. Damp areas and pools of water are breeding grounds for termites, which could be caused by leaks in your home.
- Do not put up unfinished wooden objects (such as furniture) in an effort to restrict access to food. Instead, use wood that has been treated (paint, varnish) so that it is less tasty to termites.
- Maintain a spotless dwelling. Keep your house clean, even in the obscure corners where termites like to hide.
- Woodpiles should be located far from the house’s base. Don’t put firewood next to the walls of your home or business to prevent termites.
- The best defense against termites is a proactive approach, so have them checked once a year. A consultation with an expert can save you a lot of money on costly repairs.
I Found Termites In My House: What Should I Do?
It is very challenging to treat a termite infestation on your own. Termite eggs can be difficult to find in walls, and once they hatch, the infestation can spread rapidly. Unfortunately, there aren’t many do-it-yourself options for getting rid of termites. Contacting a professional pest removal and control company is therefore recommended if a termite infestation has been discovered in your home or place of business.
A professional pest control service, such as On Demand, can tailor a treatment strategy to your property based on the species, size, and severity of your termite infestation. This strategy will get rid of any existing termite colonies and protect against new ones.
Get Termite Control & Termite Treatment with On Demand!
We totally get how nerve-wracking a termite problem can be. However, they can be easily countered by treatments from On Demand Pest Control. In order to eradicate termite colonies, we have the tools and knowledge to do so in a secure and efficient manner. When an infestation is allowed to continue, it can cause increasingly severe consequences. Termite infestations should be treated as soon as they are suspected.
