Unearthing the Dangers of Termites: Uncovering Who They Are & How to Eradicate Them From Your Home

Termites are small, wood-eating insects that can cause significant damage to your home and property. Unearthing the dangers of termites is essential to understanding who they are and how to eradicate them. With the right knowledge, you can protect your home from termite infestations and prevent them from wreaking havoc on your house.

What You Need to Know About Termites & Their Destruction

Termites are generally divided into three main categories: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood. Subterranean termites live in the ground and need high levels of moisture to survive; they will often swarm around the outside of a house in search of food. Drywood termites live in dry wood, and dampwood termites live in damp wood. In addition to wood, termites can consume items like paper, plastics, books, and other materials.

One of the most alarming aspects of termites is their destructive, rapid reproduction. In fact, an average termite queen can lay up to 10,000 eggs in a day. The lifespan of a termite queen is usually from five to ten years and, during that time, she can produce hundreds of thousands of eggs. This quick reproduction rate is what makes termites such a dangerous pest.

Uncovering the Damage: How Termites Eat Away at Your Home

Termites feed on wood, but they can also destroy other materials such as flooring and insulation. The ends of their mandibles are adapted to feed on cellulose, which is the main component of wood. As they feed, their mandibles grind and chew at the wood, which causes it to become weakened and eventually disintegrate. In addition to the structural damage they can cause, they also create tunnels, sometimes called galleries, in the wood they consume.

In addition to wood, termites can sometimes infest other materials such as books, paper, insulation, and wallboard. It is important to be aware of the signs of a termite infestation, such as mud tubes along the baseboard, or wood that is soft or hollow-sounding.

Preventative Measures: How to Keep Termites Away From Your Property

The best way to prevent a termite infestation is to take preventative measures to keep them away from your property. This can include sealing any cracks or holes around the foundation, maintaining a dry environment, removing any dead trees or stumps from the property, and inspecting your property regularly for signs of termite activity.

In addition, you can make your home more resistant to termites by using treated wood for framing and other structures, and by creating a barrier around the foundation of the house. A barrier should consist of a six-inch-deep trench that is filled with a termicidal material, such as termiticide, or concrete.

Extermination Options: What Works Best to Eradicate Termites

If you discover a termite infestation in your home, you will need to take steps to eradicate them. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may choose to use DIY methods such as insecticides, traps, and baits. Alternatively, you can hire an exterminator to treat the infestation.

Exterminators typically use bait and liquid termiticides to treat infestations. The baits are placed around the property and are designed to attract the termites and kill them. The liquid termiticides are generally injected into the soil, creating a barrier that prevents termites from reaching the wood.

Don’t Wait – Protect Your Home Now From Termite Infestations

Termites can quickly cause extensive damage to your property and can be difficult to treat. Unearthing the dangers of termites is essential to understanding how to protect your home from these destructive pests. By taking preventative measures and understanding extermination options, you can protect your home from termite infestations.

A number of experts, such as entomologist Dr. Timothy Gibb and pest control expert Keith Breazeal, advocate for prevention and immediate action if you see signs of a termite infestation in your home. It’s important to take action quickly, as termites can multiply rapidly and cause extensive damage to your property.

Conclusion:

Termites are small, wood-eating insects that can cause significant damage to your home and property. Unearthing the dangers of termites is essential to understanding who they are and how to eradicate them. With the right knowledge, preventative measures, and extermination options, you can protect your home from termite infestations and prevent them from wreaking havoc on your house.

Sources:

• Gibb, Dr. Timothy. “Identifying and Managing Termites.” Purdue University, 14 July 2020, entm.purdue.edu/publichealth/insects/termite.html.
• Breazeal, Keith. “How to Eradicate Termites From Your Home.” PestXpert, 24 May 2018, pestxpert.com/termite-eradication.