What are Termites?

There are over 3,000 different classifications of termites. Termites live in colonies and mostly feed on dead plant matter (mostly wood), leaves, soil, and even animal dung. As odd as it may sound, termites are some of the most successful groups of insects on Earth. They can be found nearly everywhere across the globe with the exception of Antarctica. Several hundred species are economically significant as pests that can cause serious damage to buildings, crops, or plantation forests. Some species are even regarded as an invasive species.

Are they harmful?

Due to their naturally aggressive behavior, termites are difficult to control once they infest a structure. In fact, a mature colony is capable of completely consuming one foot of 2X4 wood in 25 days. This could cause severe structural damage to a home in less than a year. Their damage differs from that of carpenter ants in that carpenter ants do not eat wood, they only chew it up and spit it out. You can locate galleries by these “frass” piles. You can identify carpenter ant frass piles because it will often have bits and pieces of ants in it

In addition to structures, termites can infest living trees and shrubs, utility poles, boats, and more. They have even been known to chew through the coverings of telephone and electric cable insulation.

And get this, in 2005, the National Pest Management Association estimated that termites collectively cause more than $5 billion in damage each year in the United States!

How can you treat them?

If you suspect a termite infestation you should contact a licensed pest professional about control and treatment of the pest.

That being said, here are some tips on how to prevent a future termite infestation.

• Schedule a professional termite inspection once a year. Or at least once every 3-5 years. There are some things that a professional can notice that might not be obvious to the average homeowner.
• Eliminating moisture sources and try to reduce humidity in crawl spaces, attics, and basements.
• Try to divert water away from the foundation of your home.
• Store firewood away from your home and off the ground if possible.
• Routinely inspect the foundation of your home for signs of mud tubes, visibly damaged wood, and wood that sounds hollow when tapped on.

Get in touch with one of our professionals at BioShield. You can either fill out a contact form here on our website or give us a call at (757) 716-7851.