Termites are frustrating and stress-inducing bugs that can seriously damage the integrity of your home. Where do termites come from? It depends on where you live, and often you won’t see them until the damage is done.
If you suspect termites have invaded your home, call as soon as possible to schedule a pest control walk-through. Or, get in touch with us by email and attach a picture of the termite evidence you see.
What Are Termites?
Termites are insects that have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. The primary reason termites pose serious concerns to humans is they can ingest wood and material in houses, causing structural damage.
Termites are closely related to cockroaches, even though they behave similarly to ants. They have colonies and the same social behavior as ants, which is why you rarely encounter just one termite.
Termites are also quite common. They live in remote parts of tropical rainforests and in urban and suburban settings across North America. They spread thanks to their sheer numbers, but termites also show up in the lumber in shipping crates, crossing oceans to new continents.
Despite the danger of termites, they do have a beneficial use in our ecosystem. Termites can transform cellulose from the plants they ingest into material that encourages and nurtures new growth. If termites only supported new plant growth, we wouldn’t be so concerned about finding them.
Why Do I Have Termites?
Though you might feel a sense of embarrassment about finding termites in your home, you probably have not done anything to encourage them. Unlike pests like cockroaches or ants that thrive off of accumulated crumbs, termites are attracted to your home because it is safer for them to live in the foundation than it is outside.
There are three predominant termite types, and knowing which one is in your home will determine what kind of treatment you use. Some termites ingest the material in your house through the soil, while others live in the walls.
Where Do Termites Come From?
The three dominant categories of termites are dampwood termites, drywood termites, and subterranean termites.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites do not often pose challenges to building structures, since they live and feed off of damp, damaged, and sick trees. However, if a structure contains a damp wood material, dampwood termites may follow. Treatment for damp wood termites is as simple as removing the damaged wood and replacing it with healthier, chemically-treated wood to prevent future infestations.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites are similar to their damp wood family members, with the key exception that they nest in dry wood. Drywood termites are the most classic example of the termite pest: a nearly-silent insect spreading through the walls and wood of the house, eating it, and causing structural damage.
While it will be rare to uncover a swarm of dry wood termites, the tell-tale sign of a dry wood termite infestation is catching sight of a full-grown adult flying during the summer or fall or noticing that the wood in your home sounds hollow.
Subterranean Termites
Finally, subterranean termites earned their name because they live in the soil and feed on the foundation of a house. Because they have easy access to the most critical component of your home’s structure, subterranean termites often cause the most expensive kind of damage.
Suspect You Have Termites? Schedule an Inspection with Stampede Today!
Termites are a serious problem. If you suspect that your home is under threat of a termite infestation, reach out to Stampede to schedule a termite inspection.
Our expert pest control masters can walk you through termite treatment options, and even help you identify opportunities for termite prevention. With over 10 years in business, Stampede understands how difficult pest infestations are, and only uses family-safe chemicals with a proven success record.
There is no time to waste if you find evidence of termites in your home. Get in touch with Stampede and we can help you return to peace of mind and security.