|
|
|
Termites cause more than $750 million dollars worth of damage each year in the Unites States. They cause more damage than fires and storms combined. That fact alone is enough to destroy peace of mind. One particular species, Drywood termites, are a serious problem in warm, moist, coastal regions. These colonies operate much like a factory. Worker, soldier and reproductive termites have specific tasks to keep the whole system running. At the center of the colony are the king and queen whose joint purpose is reproduction. The worker termites’ role is crucial; collecting enough food to feed the entire colony, including the new larva that are hatched each season. Termites feed on cellulose materials and are especially attracted to one particular source – wood. Before deciding on a treatment, it is important to know the pests your dealing with. Admittedly, many people have never seen a termite. That’s because they stay well hidden, on the average they leave their protected environment about twice a year for mating purposes … a reproductive process known as “swarming”. After successfully mating, they seek a new location to nest and feed. |
 |
 |
Admittedly, many people have never seen a termite. On the average termites leave their protected environment about twice a year for mating purposes…a reproductive process known as “swarming”. After successfully mating, they seek a new location to nest and feed. |
 Subterranean termites thrive in dark, moist conditions, preferably in soil. In an effort to stay hidden, Subterranean termites do not stay in their colony’s main gallery but frequently migrate from place to place, foraging as far as four yards away. Many worker termites can be in far reaches of the colony at any given time. |
 Drywood termite colonies number anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000 termites and live their entire lives inside wood, except for swarming season. These systematic destroyers mate and establish colonies that feed on the cellulose on wood. That’s helpful in the forest, but utterly ruinous in your valuable home. |
 |
 Winged termites are only 1/8” so in length. They have straight antennae and no “waistline”. Their wings are long and of equal length. Ants are often several times larger. Ants also have elbowed antennae and three distinct body segments. Their front wings are much longer than their back ones. Termites break off their wings; ants do not. Similar to ants, termites live in large interdependent colonies. These colonies operate much like a factory, numbering anywhere from 250,000 to, in some cases more than one million termites. Worker, soldier and reproductive termites have specific tasks to keep the whole system running. At the center of the colony is the queen and king whose joint purpose is reproduction. The worker termites' role is crucial: collect enough food to feed the entire colony, including the thousands of new larvae that are hatched each season. Termites feed on cellulose materials and are especially attracted to one particular source: wood. |
 Even if you can’t see any evidence of damage, Drywood termites may already be destroying your home form the inside out. Drywood termites live beneath the surface of wood, so they can feed off your wood for years without revealing any evidence. Certain signs, however, do reveal their presence. Look for discarded wings, or tiny piles of dry, pellet-like fecal matter around windowsills, or near small openings in wood. The trained eye of a professional pest control operator (PCO) can spot these signs during a thorough inspection. |
 |
