About Termites

Termites feed on wood and wood by-products. They go about their daily routine doing the work they were created to do - finding wood to eat and water to drink to make the termite colony survive. Termite food sources are readily available on planet earth. The forest is full of dead trees, roots in the ground from cleared land, stacks of firewood, the back porch steps, are all good sources of food for termites. Termites are content in their world eating and drinking and surviving. Termites are an important part of earth's eco system, ...BUT!

Problems start when termites start eating your house! Termites can't tell the difference between a dead tree limb and a wall stud in your home. Knowing which kind of termite you have is important because different species require very different control measures.

Subterranean Termites Family Rhinotermitidae (termitus eatus upa
Color:  Creamy brown Legs:  Six Shape:  Long, narrow, oval Size:  1/8 Antennae:  Yes Flight:  Yes

Subterranean Termites

Can be found in All 50 US States. Subterranean termites live in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas aboveground that can contain up to 2 million members. They build distinctive "mud tubes" to gain access to food sources and to protect themselves from open air. Termite colonies are organized into castes depending on tasks -- workers, soldiers and reproductives. The characteristics of a subterranean termite are dependent on the termite's role in the colony. Cream-colored Worker subterranean termites are 1/8 to 3/8's of an inch in length. Soldier subterranean termites are of a similar body length, but are distinguished by their powerful mandibles. Solider termites have cream-colored bodies and brown heads. Reproductive subterranean termites are approximately one inch long.

Habits

Subterranean termites live underground and build tunnels, referred to as mud tubes, to reach food sources. Like other termite species, they feed on products containing cellulose. Subterranean termites swarm in the spring -- groups of reproductive termites go off to start new colonies.

Habitat

Subterranean termites need contact with the soil to survive and live underground. They can build tunnels through cracks in concrete.

Threats

Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species. They can collapse a building entirely, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time.

Prevention Avoid water accumulation near your home's foundation. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard. Most importantly, eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building.

Formosan Termites

Can be found in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA.

Originally from China, Formosan termites are the most voracious, aggressive and devious of over 2,000 termite species known to science. Formosan termites are a subterranean species of termite. Swarmer formosan termite are about 1/2 inch in overall length, including their wings.

Habits

Formosans are organized into huge underground colonies, and build intricate mud nests inside the walls of a structure.

Habitat

Formosan termites are the most aggressive subterranean termite species. Formosans are organized into huge underground colonies, and build intricate mud nests inside the walls of a structure.

Threats

Because of their aggressive nature, formosan termites are difficult to control once they infest a structure. Prevention is key.

Prevention:

Avoid water accumulation near your home's foundation. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard. Most importantly, eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building.

Drywood Termites

Can be found in CA, AZ, FL, AL, GA, LA, MS, SC, TX, VA. These social insects infest dry wood and do not require contact with the soil.

Habits

They form colonies of up to 2,500 members. Unlike subterranean termite species, drywood termite colonies do not have a worker caste. The work is done by immature termites before they reach adulthood.

Habitat

Drywood termites infest dry wood, like that found in attic framings.

Threats

Drywood termites can infest structures and cause significant damage.

Prevention:

Drywood termites can be avoided by making sure firewood and scrap wood is stored at least 20 feet from the home. Because drywood termites form new colonies by gaining access to wood through small holes, seal all cracks and crevices in a structure.

Dampwood Termites

Can be found in WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, MT, FL. As the name suggests, dampwood termites infest wood with a high moisture content. Dampwood termites are normally larger in size than other termite species. Bodies of king and queen dampwood termites range in size from 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch long and have two pairs of wings that are equal in size and shape and extend beyond their abdomen. Nymphs range up to 5/8 inch and worker dampwood termites are up to 3/4 inch.

Habits

Dampwood termite colonies, like drywood termites, have no worker caste. The nymph dampwood termites take care of the kings and queens of the colony and feed the soldier caste.

Habitat

Because of their need for excessive moisture, dampwood termites are not often found in structures.

Threats

Dampwood termites do not usually infest structures because of the low moisture content of wood in structures. However, care must be taken to avoid attracting dampwood termites to a structure.

Prevention:

To avoid dampwood termites, make sure downspouts and gutters are diverted well away from the structure, and avoid prolonged contact between a structure and large areas of moisture, such as ponds or snow drifts.