What You Don’t Know About Termites

You know what termites are – pests that damage and even destroy houses, furniture, fabrics, and anything else containing cellulose. But how much do you know about them? The common retaliation to that question is why should we know about them. The simple response is that termites are one of the greatest enemies that a homeowner has to face and the more you know about your enemies, the better equipped you are to deal with them.

• Termites may resemble ants, but they are different. The two are enemies which is why worker termites move around with soldier termites to protect them.
• Termites are a 24/7 danger. They do not sleep and keep eating (destroying) 24 hours a day.
• If you have seen nature documentaries, you would have seen huge termite mounds that climb several feet into the air. No mound, no termite, right? Wrong! The mound building termites do not exist in the U.S. but the species that are here are equally deadly in terms of the damage they do.
• Termites do not like the light. They prefer dark places. But that does not mean that their movements are limited or restricted. They can cover great distances underground or in the dark which is why the damage they do is so widespread. Living in the dark also makes them more difficult to spot.

Also Read: 5 Myths about Termite Infestations Debunked

• The termite diet is not limited to wood. They will eat plants, dead or decaying trees, clothing, paper, cardboard, and some types of plastics and they will even consume drywall.
• Termites have thin skins and get dehydrated easily. That is why they prefer to be in moist/damp environments. Any damp areas in or around your house will be a magnet for termites.
• There are over 28 major termite species worldwide and these have now spread beyond their native regions, making termite damage a global problem that is constantly increasing. According to the USDA, termites cause nearly $40 billion worth of damage across the globe each year.
• In the U.S. alone, they damage or destroy over 600,000 homes each year.

Now that you know the basics of termites, the next step is to learn how to ensure that you and your home are safe from them. There are innumerable articles available on DIY termite control, including soil treatment for termites, wood treatment to prevent termites, and much more. The fact is that very little, if any, of this information is of any real use or value, and even the information that may have some substance is typically only partially effective. So, people think they have dealt with the problem while the termites continue to do unseen damage. There is only one sure way of checking your home for termites, getting rid of any that may be found and then preventing future infestations. That way, use the services of a professional termite control company that has the knowledge, experience, and tools to ensure that your home is termite safe, today and in the future. Find a company that offers free inspections and get started.