The Real Story of Termites

True or False: Several decades pass before termite queens die.

True: It is true that a queen termite usually lives to be quite old in the colony. Termite queens have a 25–50 year lifespan and can produce their most eggs for up to 10 years at a time. A new queen will emerge in the colony when the old one dies and the pheromone she uses to prevent the development of reproductives is no longer produced.

True or False: Ants like to eat termites.

True: Termites face many predators in nature, and one of the most notable is the ant. Ants eat termites for a variety of reasons. Termites make great meals for ants because they provide plenty of protein. Some of the more important motives have to do with reducing competition for resources.

True or False: Termites live in every state in the U.S.

False: There are about 45 different kinds of species of termites found in the U.S.; however, Alaska is the only state in the U.S. that does not have termites.

How Can You Prevent Termites from Damaging Your Home?

Termite control is a two-part process: preventing termites from accessing your home and treating known termite colonies.

Methods to help prevent termites from damaging your home include:

• Getting regular termite inspections from a trained professional, usually once a year.
• Taking care of issues around your house that may encourage termite activity, such as excessive moisture and wood-to-ground contact, in collaboration with your pest control specialist.
• Based on the construction of your home and any indications of activity in the surrounding area, it will be possible to determine which preventative termite treatments, direct wood treatment, bait, and monitoring systems will work best.

What Steps Can You Take To Help Stop Termite Infestations Below Ground?

Take Access Away

• To help reduce entry points, seal the spaces where gas and water lines enter your house.
• Subterranean termites frequently use wood-to-ground contact as a point of entry to gain access to your house. Try to minimise wood-to-ground contact wherever you can. You can apply termiticide to wood to deter termites in addition to eliminating their pathway into your house. 

Reduce Food Sources

• Extra cellulose materials should be disposed of throughout your home, including in crawl spaces. Landscape mulch should be removed from six inches or replaced with cellulose-free alternatives.
• Ensure that the wooden siding is at least half an inch above the floor.

Cut Down on Extra Moisture

• Ensure that there are no standing water areas on your roof or near the foundation of your house.
• Take care of any moisture issues in the crawlspace and basement.
• Resolve any dripping air conditioner condensation lines, malfunctioning gutters, and leaky plumbing.

Keep an eye out for activity and use preventative measures

• Before using timber for home or garden projects, check it for termites, especially used timber and railway ties.
• To prevent pests from entering your home, ask your pest management specialist for recommendations. These techniques may include monitoring stations, liquid treatment, or direct wood treatment. Since they act as warning indicators of activity, monitoring stations are the least invasive option; however, they offer no defence against infestations. Treating your home proactively can help keep infestations from happening in the future.

How Can You Help Prevent Drywood Termite Infestations?

Remove Access

• Drywood Termites can enter your home through small cracks in the exterior wood. Seal all cracks, crevices and joints to prevent termites from entering.
• Two easy ways to reduce access include applying a fresh coat of paint, which can seal the smallest crevices in wood, and installing bug screens over attic and foundation vents.

Reduce Food Sources

• Remove dead trees, firewood and any other dead wood that can house drywood termites.

Monitor for Activity and Adopt Prevention Techniques

• Inspect lumber: especially used lumber and railroad ties for termites before using it in home or garden projects.
• Wood shingles create easy access for drywood termites. Watch for signs of drywood termites near areas with wood shingles. Ask your termite expert about proactive treatment options that can help protect your home.

More Information

Think you might have termites in your home? Schedule an appointment to get a free termite consultation.