Protect Your Home – Termite Information You Need to Know
Property owners need a basic understanding of termites. Can you answer the following questions?
Q: How many types of termites are there? A: Over 2600 species have been identified by experts. Of those only 55 live in the U.S. Homeowners only have to worry about 2 types: subterranean termites and drywood termites.
Q: How are they different? A: Termites are social insects. That means they live in colonies. The location of the colony is different depending on the type of termite. Subterranean termites live in underground colonies because they need more moisture to survive. To feed they tunnel to into homes nearby. Drywood termites nest inside the structures they feed on. They depend on moisture from inside or nearby the structure to survive.
Q: How will I know if my property has termites? And, if so, what kind? A: Subterranean termites may be detected when they swarm, typically in the spring, when some termites leave their nests to start more colonies. Subterranean termites may also be detected when their mud tubes are seen on walls or foundations. Both types of termites may leave weak, broken, or blistered wood. Drywood termites can leave wings or piles of what looks like sawdust on floors and windowsills.
Q: None of these signs are present. Does that mean my home free of termites? A: No, termites are very hard to detect. Termites are hard to detect because they do their damage on the inside of the wood.
Q: What’s the difference between flying ants and swarming termites? A: If you can catch one, look at them up close. You’ll notice that termites have straight antennae, where ant antennae are bent. Another difference is that ants have a narrow waist and termites have a thick waist.
Q: Aren’t termites generally found in older buildings? A: The only preference termites have is for wood. They don’t care where it is. They’ve even been found in recently completed new construction. Termites have no preference for older buildings.
Q: How widespread are termites in the U.S.? A: Subterranean termites are common in the southern two-thirds of the U.S., but inhabit the lower 48 states plus Hawaii. Drywood termites are limited to the California coast, the Atlantic Coast, the Gulf Coast, and the desert southwest. There are more termites in Florida than in most other states.
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