Do I Need Termite Protection? Termite Protection Plans Recommendations
Do you need termite protection? Well, who doesn’t? Termite infestations are a serious nuisance and a dangerous phenomenon in the world. These annoying insects invade a house and make sure they won’t leave until they ruin the entire structure.
From Drywood termites to Dampwood termites and also Formosan termites, the danger of termites is the same.
If you live near to a colony of termites, it presents a serious threat to your property. Especially if you are a homeowner, you would care for everything in your house ranging from the basement to the garden, and finding a termite colony would not satisfy you.
People nowadays think that modern buildings are resistant to termites. Well, they are wrong. As long as there is wood and humidity, nothing is resistant to termites.
Therefore you should beware and protect yourself from such nuisance.
Why should be concerned about termites?
Termites feed on cellulose-based substances such as wood, paper, dirt… And if you are living in North America, then your house is almost completely made by wood. Therefore, termites are a serious threat to your house.
There are many types of termites that could infest your property and we are citing them from the least to the most dangerous:
- Dampwood termites: as it is called, this particular kind of termites likes to live in the “damp wood” as they have a necessary need of moisture and cool air. Damp wood is a wet material which allows to Dampwood termites to build their nests and form a massive colony.
This type of termites is considered the least dangerous because they don’t have a fast destructive behavior as others.
Dampwood termites are usually found in cold areas in U.S.A such as Northern U.S.A.
- Subterranean termites: these termites like to live in the soil and build their nests, usually underneath wooded areas such as your basement or your garden plants.
Subterranean termites build mud tubes on the walls starting from the ground to reach their food source. These mud tubes are made of wet soil and fecal pellets.
This type of termites is more likely to live in hot weather as the soil provides all the necessary moisture and the perfect conditions they need.
Subterranean termites are found almost in the whole US but most spread in the south.
- Drywood termites: when it comes to Drywood termites, everybody has a story to tell. This type of termites has infested almost all the houses of the US and still causing damage until now. It is probably the most commonly known species in North America and it is known by its ability to live in dry wood and in hot temperate areas. It always infests walls and house structures. Thanks to their ability to fit in the ambient conditions with no special need to high level of moistures, we can say they are the most expanded termites especially in the southern regions of U.S.A.
Drywood termites form several colonies and have a fast ability of reproduction, which is why their infestation is the worst pest that could happen to a property. And their treatment is hard.
- Formosan termites: similar to subterranean termites, Formosan termites just have a more destructive behavior. That’s why this kind is considered as the most dangerous termites in the U.S.A and North America in general.
A single colony of Formosan termites can reach a million individuals in just 1 year and this colony has the ability to ingest 13 ounces of wood daily (400 grams) and, then they can ruin a whole house structure in few months.
Formosan termites are commonly found in the coastal southern regions of the U.S.A.
As the estimated cost of damage caused by these few species of termites is up to $5 billion for the U.S government, then you – as individual in the U.S society – you must worry about termites and fight against them.
Consequences of Termite Infestations
In order to make you worry about termites and know the damage they are able to cause, here we are providing you with some fatal consequences of termite infestations:
- Wood damage: these insects have the ability to damage a large amount of wood in few days. They generally infest wood furniture, wooded walls, or wooded house structures causing cracks and holes in the exterior of wood. They can also be accompanied with a wet spot presenting the exact location of the colony.
- Structure damage: as they can damage the structure of your house, some homeowners have admitted that their house fell due to termite infestations proving evidence how these termites can cause catastrophic damage to your property.
- Plant damage: termites are also able to invade your backyard if there is any firewood or decayed wood. Subterranean termites are most likely to infest your garden because of the wet soil and they will mud tunnels that reach trees, then they will damage your trees and flowers as well as other types of termites which don’t have a problem with infesting any type of areas as long as there is enough cellulose to form a massive huge colony.
Termite Prevention
As termite infestations are dangerous and you are convinced with the danger they will put you in, you may be looking for some ways to prevent termites. Prevention is better than cure, and you need to protect your house before termites dare and gain entry to it.
- Keep inspecting your property regularly; maybe you can stop a termite infestation before it expands.
- Keep termite attractors such as firewood, mulch, debris… out of sight and away from the house.
- Check your water tubes and pipes, there might be a leak which provides a wet environment for subterranean termites.
- Keep dead trees or tree stumps away from the house.
- Remove all climbing plants against walls as they can present perfect nests to some termites which will infest walls.
- Keep your trees and plants well-trimmed.
- Reduce humidity and moisture by ventilating closed wet areas such as the basement or the attic.
- Use chemical barriers if necessary. These barriers contain chemical substances which are repellent for termites. Some physical barriers could also be useful.