Eliminating Termites from Your Home

Once a colony of termites invades your home, you can be left with expensive repairs. Depending on the type of termite involved, your damages can differ. Here are two types of termites and the infestation signs associated with them.

Subterranean Termites

Just as their name suggests, subterranean termites tend to build colonies under the ground. They are highly dependent on moisture, and prefer humid, subtropical climates. Subterranean termites do not fare well in cold regions, but may still inhabit a home with central heat. After they eat wood, they fill it with soil to protect the moisture level in their environment.

Signs of infestation

• Mud Tubes When they need  to travel above ground to find food, they use mud tunnels. The tunnels are made of soil and saliva from the worker termites. The tunnels, which protect the moisture levels of the termites, usually run from underneath the ground to the outside. Tunnels may be seen on the exterior walls of an infested structure.
• Wing Piles When the swarmer termites mate, they shed their wings. Small piles of wings may be found near entry points into a newly colonized dwelling. 
• Crumbly Wood When subterranean worker termites consume wood, they replace the hollow areas with soil. Thus, if the wood beams underneath your home crumble in spots, you probably have a subterranean termite infestation. 

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites usually colonize in wood siding, trim or attics. They don't rely on the soil as subterranean termites do. Any moisture that they need is received from the wood. In addition, they may consume a wide variety of wood products, such as furniture, paper or flooring. 

Signs of Drywood Termite Infestation

• Swarming Once a drywood termite colony has reached maturity, large numbers of flying males and females leave the current colony in search of a new home. If you spot swarms of flying termites, a drywood termite infestation may be on the way.
• Pellet Mounds Drywood termites produce fecal pellets that are shaped like hexagons. As they tunnel into wood, they kick out the pellets. If you are noticing the continual formation of little pellet mounds, there is probably an active drywood termite colony nearby.

A termite colony can wreak havoc with the wood in your home. However, there are multiple types of termites that can colonize a dwelling. If you believe that your home may be infested, talk to a local

pest control

expert.