Table of Contents
- Types of Termites
- Signs of Termite Infestation
- Damage Caused by Termites
- Prevention Methods
- Treatment Options
- Importance of Regular Inspections
- Conclusion
Termites are often called the “silent destroyers” of homes because they go undetected while consuming the wooden framework that holds up many homes. This can compromise the structure of your home, leading to extensive and expensive repairs. Because termites can hide for long periods, it is essential for all homeowners to understand how they behave, what kinds of termites are most likely to damage homes, and what steps they can take to prevent termites from infesting their homes. To protect against any type of pest threat, you should first learn about locally available options for termite control and familiarize yourself with the signs of termite infestations in your area.
The different types of termites prefer various types of wood, moisture levels, and entry points. Therefore, knowing that a specific type of termite is infesting your home will help in determining the best ways to remove and/or prevent them from coming into your home in the future. For example, recognizing the signs of a termite infestation (e.g., mud tunnels on your foundation, sagging or loose wood, or peeling paint) will help save your home thousands of dollars in repairs.
Depending on your location and the design of your home, the type of termites that thrive there (subterranean termites thrive in moist areas of soil, dry wood termites live in attics, and damp wood termites grow in wet crawl spaces or basements) can greatly influence how seriously you are affected by a termite infestation. Therefore, protecting your home means proactively protecting it from future infestations through regular inspections and preventative maintenance.
If a homeowner finds that he/she has been infested by termites, it is important to find a reliable company that specializes in termite extermination service and will provide effective treatment with long-lasting results. In the absence of professional intervention, a homeowner will face both immediate problems as well as future challenges with respect to keeping termites from damaging their home.
Types of Termites
Different types of termite species can be found at homes. Each termite has different habits and different areas of preference:
- Subterranean Termites – This is by far the most destructive type of termite found in the United States. Subterranean termites live and nest in the ground. They also build extensive networks of mud tubes through which they travel to their food source, which is the wood of the ridge beams of buildings. Most of the damage done to structures from termites can be attributed to subterranean termites. They thrive in areas where moisture is present, such as in basements, bathrooms, kitchens, etc.
- Dry wood Termites—Dry wood termites are different from subterranean termites in that they can live within the wooden structural members of a building (beams and flooring) and within furniture without ever touching the ground. Usually, activity from dry wood termites will be detected in attics or other high areas within homes.
- Damp wood Termites – This type of termite is generally less common in homes. These pests will infest wood that has been exposed to high levels of moisture. Some common causes of moisture in a home include faulty plumbing, leaky roofs, or lack of proper drainage. Moisture attracts damp wood termites.
Signs of Termite Infestation
If you want to detect termite damage in your home early enough, here are some of the more common signs:
- Mud Tubes: If your foundation has mud tubes, they will usually look like a pencil. These mud tunnels are created by subterranean termites to allow them to travel without being exposed to the elements.
- Hollow-sounding Wood: When termites eat the insides of wood, you can tell by pounding on the wood with something like your fist. You will hear a hollow-sounding feedback from the wood if it is damaged by termites.
- Dropping Wings: As soon as they swarm, winged termites will shed their wings and these winged termite carcasses can often be found accumulating underneath windows or doors.
- Peeling or Bubbling Paint: When paint starts to bubble up or flake off due to excessive moisture, it usually indicates termite damage but may look like water-damaged walls.
Damage Caused by Termites
A minor termite infestation may incur significant risk and/or decrease the value of your property due to the following reasons:
- Structural Damage: Termites feed on structural components such as beams, joists, and studs, which support the weight of the house. If left untreated, this will result in loss of structural integrity and safety to you and your family.
- Wood Deterioration: Termites create tunnels (called galleries) through the wood, causing the wood to deteriorate. Eventually, this will result in sagging of the floors, twisting of the structural frame, and potential collapse of the structure.
- Cosmetic Damage: Infestations of termites may leave visible signs, such as cracks in the ceiling, bubbling paint, or deformations and distortions in the flooring and walls.
Prevention Methods
To help avoid an infestation of termites, you will need to regularly implement the following termite prevention measures:
- Eliminate Water Sources: Make sure to repair any leaking taps or pipes, check that the gutters of your property are emptying away from the home, and use a dehumidifier in your basements/crawl spaces.
- Reduce Wood-to-Soil Interaction: Firewood/lumber should be stored a safe distance from your home and lumber, and there should be an open gap between the wood and the soil level if porches/decks are constructed against the ground.
- Close Entry Points: Use caulking or grout to fill in any cracks along the sides of your home, utility lines, and any other areas that would allow insects to gain access to the interior of your home.
- Use Pressure-Treated Lumber: When performing maintenance or building a new home, always use pressure-treated lumber for major structural components like support beams and posts that would take on the weight of your home’s structure.
Treatment Options
Once an infestation is found, it is very important to respond quickly to reduce damage. The most common way to do this is through:
- Liquid Termiticides: This chemical creates a barrier in the ground surrounding your house. The termites die either when they come into contact with the barrier or when they eat the previously treated soil.
- Bait systems: Bait stations are used to lure termites into traps. When they enter the bait, they take some of the pesticide back to their colony, disrupting and ultimately killing the whole colony.
- Fumigation: A very severe infestation may require structural fumigation because many dry wood termites make their homes deep within wood and have wide-ranging infestations.
Importance of Regular Inspections
The continued recommendation for annual inspections conducted by a licensed pest control professional is true and highly encouraged in areas where termites have been known to be active historically. The typical practice of having a professional conduct an inspection helps identify new infestations sooner and allows monitoring of previous treatment options and potential risk factors from any future plumbing leaks and/or wood rot.
Conclusion
Termites can inflict serious financial harm if not addressed quickly. Knowing how to identify different types of termites as well as learning how to see the signs of an active infestation allows you to protect your house now and mitigate future headaches. Whether it is a current or future severe infestation, seeking professional assistance and developing a preventive plan will be paramount in protecting your biggest asset—your home.
