Most of us have had the horrendous experience of our cabinets, doors, furniture and walls at homes being infested by termites. Termites are the tiny unwanted guests in every home, destroying all things – from valuable pieces of furniture to the most mundane things like wood scraps and paper.
Termites are social insects that work in colonies. Each colony contains more or less billions of termites. Healthy colonies send their winged termites to create new colonies, which makes them breed on a faster pace. There are three things that are crucial to their survival: food, moisture and warmth. Staple in their diet are dead plants, trees, wood, paper, plastic and drywall.
4 Common Types of Termites
In the US, the most common types of termites are:
- Dampwood – Dampwood termites are larger kinds of termites that feed on every moist wood. They live and thrive in damp dying wood.
- Drywood – Drywood termites eat wood, wallpaper, plastics and plant fiber. They are found in dry wood and does not require moisture and contact with soil.
- Formosan – Formosan termites eat wood and fabric. They are the largest and most destructive kind. They live in underground colonies.
- Subterranean – Subterranean termites eat wood, wallpaper, plant fiber and plastics. They need contact with soil to survive and are considered the most destructive.
Termites in Your Home
Termites stay and thrive in our homes for many reasons. Here are some factors that make our homes attractive for termites.
- Moisture – Some homes have small leaks that make their wooden exterior damp, which is the perfect food and home for termites. Mulches and ground cover also retain moisture which makes them ideal shelter for termites. Termites need moisture in their bodies to survive so they will naturally build their colonies in places where there is trapped moisture.
- Wood – Termites eat mainly cellulose, which can be found on wood. Any wood or wooden structure that comes into contact with your home gives termites the chance to infest your home. Tree stumps near your home can also attract termites to your home.
- Geography – Location is a big factor for termites. Termites live in states that are warmer and wetter.
- Openings – Cracks, damage to shingles, and loose and defective seals are also ideal places for termites. Make sure you fill in cracks immediately.
- Darkness – Termites love darkness because it protects them from predators.
If you notice the beginning of termite infestation in your home, it is best to address the problem immediately. Call a pest control company to help you eliminate termites and control the damage that they have done.
Written by BugOut Pest Control & Lawn Care. BugOut Pest Control & Lawn Care offers the best service for pest control in Columbia, MO.