Termites: The Silent Destroyer

Need-to-Know Facts about Termite Prevention and Damage

By Hope Bowman, Technical Specialist, Western Pest Services

If you thought you had a long workday, consider this: termites work 24 hours a day – they don’t sleep! These pests are tough. They’re determined. And they’re efficient.

They’re also resilient. It’s believed that termites have been roaming the earth for more than 250 million years. It’s no wonder they’re good at their craft!

Known as the “silent destroyer,” termites have the ability to chew through wood, flooring and wallpaper, often without being detected – hence the nickname. They usually live entirely out of sight, and by the time they’re detected, often the damage has been done.

The most common species in the Northeast is the eastern subterranean termite. Their colonies are located underground and can vary in size from thousands to tens of thousands of termites. One yard alone could support three or more colonies.

These small pests cost homeowners excessive amounts of money each year. It’s difficult to calculate just how many dollars are spent annually on termite damage and treatment, but some experts believe it’s as high as billions of dollars. Not only is termite damage expensive, but it can also be dangerous. As termites infest a house or building, they tunnel through wood – often wood that is structurally important such as support beams – and overtime make it weakened, which can cause collapse.

While termites are year-round pests, they are most active when temperatures are above 60 degrees. So, as the season begins to change from winter to spring, it’s time to start thinking about how termites could impact your home or community.

Preventing termites is usually much easier than getting rid of them, so knowing what to look for and how to prevent a termite infestation are great places to start.

Signs of Termite Activity

Keep an eye out for the following telltale signs of termite activity.

• Swarms: Termite swarms signal the start of termite season. On warm days in spring, you may see groups of male and female winged termites leaving their colony to mate in a sudden frenzied swarm. After mating, they land, shed their wings and begin building a new colony. Be on the lookout for swarms or piles of discarded wings around your home. Wings are usually all about the same size and may resemble tiny fish scales.
• Mud tubes: Another indication of termite activity can be mud tubes, or mud tunnels, that termites construct along walls or foundations. Mud tubes can range in size from one-eighth to one-half inch wide. Termites use the tubes as pathways and as protection from air and predators while they look for wood to consume.
• Wood damage: Wood that has been eaten by termites takes on the shape of branch-like paths. Over time, these paths hollow out the wood and weaken it. Unfortunately, termite damage is not always visible to the naked eye, but any hollow-sounding or visibly weakened wood can be a signal that damage is lurking beneath the surface of the wood.

Because these signs are not always present or visible to an untrained eye, consider having an experienced pest management provider regularly complete a thorough inspection to determine if termites are living nearby.

Termite Prevention Tips

In addition to being aware of the signs of termite activity, it’s important to understand what you can do to help prevent termites.

Termites need two main things to survive and thrive: food and moisture. They eat cellulose, the main ingredient in wood, so any type of wood can become a food source for termites. They are also dependent on moisture, so any excess water on your property needs to be eliminated.

Use these tips to remove or modify the conditions around your property that attract termites:

• Fix leaks in pipes and drains, and maintain downspouts and gutters to avoid water and debris buildup.
• Slope ground away from homes and buildings in your community so water doesn’t collect nearby.
• Make sure crawl spaces, bathrooms, and any other areas of high-humidity are properly ventilated.
• Store wood and debris piles away from the side of homes and use a storage rack for firewood.
• Remove old tree stumps.
• Try to maintain a 6-inch boundary between the ground and any portion of a structure made of wood, including siding, window/door frames, and porch steps.
• Trim back vegetation from the side and foundation of buildings.
• Consider replacing mulch near buildings with gravel. If mulch is used, keep layers thin – thick mulch can trap moisture.

You can also work with a professional termite specialist to implement monitoring and baiting systems that can proactively help protect against termites. These might include:

• Termite bait stations placed at strategic intervals around homes and buildings on the property
• Treated soil that repels termites or exposes them to termiticide, which they then ingest or carry back to the colony, exposing other termites
• Ongoing inspections conducted by a trained professional to monitor for signs of termites and damage to structures

Don’t let termites take a bite out of homes in your community. Be aware of termite signs, eliminate conducive conditions, and work with a pest management professional to determine the best control methods for your specific needs.

Hope Bowman is a Technical Specialist and Board Certified Entomologist with Western Pest Services, a New Jersey-based pest management company serving businesses and homeowners in major Northeastern markets.