Subterranean termites are the species we most often see here in Jasper, GA. As with other species of termites, they can remain undetected for long periods of time allowing them to chow down on your home. Known as “silent destroyers,” termites can chew through wood, flooring, and wallpaper undetected. With around 2,000 species in the world, property damage caused by termites exceeds $5 billion each year world wide.
As with all termites, subterranean termites are social insects and raise their young in groups, know as colonies. Colonies of subterranean termites can reach over 2 million members, with three different castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. These colonies consume wood non-stop, around the clock to feed themselves and their offspring. In the spring, the reproductive termites swarm to find a place to start a new colony. These swarms are often the first sign to a homeowner that they have a termite infestation.
To give you an idea of the sheer number of termites in the world, consider that the total weight of all termites amounts to more than the weight of all humans combined. With numbers like these, it’s more a matter of when, not if you will get a termite infestation in your home.
Up to one inch long, subterranean termites are a creamy brown color with a long, narrow oval-shaped body and six legs with wings and antenna. Their diet consists of any type of cellulose material, including wood, wallpaper, and fabrics made from plants. As their name implies, subterranean termites must remain in contact with the soil to survive. Their colonies are underground and they construct shelter tubes to travel between sections of their colony or to food sources.
Of all types of termites, subterranean termites are the most destructive. They can consume a lot of wood and have the ability to cause extensive and expensive damage to a home. There are consistent records of subterranean termites destroying building foundations, wooden support beams, plastic plumbing pipes, subflooring, insulation, and even swimming pool liners and filtration systems. They can also damage or even destroy living trees, shrubs, or other landscaping.
While termites are literally everywhere in the southeastern United States, there are ways you can make your home less attractive to the subterranean variety. Make sure that any water that falls around your home can drain away. Be especially cautious about water building up around your home’s foundation. If you notice any damp or damaged wood on the outside of your home, it will need to be inspected for termite activity and then replaced. After working with wood, be sure to clean up the scraps from your yard to remove anything extra for them to snack on.
If you suspect that you have a termite swarm in your home or on your property, you should call your pest management professional right away and ask them to come take a look. If you do have a termite infestation, you want to get rid of them as soon as possible in order to prevent serious damage to your home.
If you think you have a problem with termites. . . or any other pest. . . or simply have a question. . . call Faith Pest Control at 770-823-9202. We’ll be happy to speak with you any time.
Here’s to helping YOU live PEST FREE,
Erica
P.S. And be sure to ask about our FREE 58 Point Pest Analysis of your home or office!
