FAQs About Termites that Help Protect Your Home Against Infestations
Termites are a common nuisance in many of Oklahoma’s homes. Termite treatments are popping up left and right but have you considered understanding better the pattern of a termite infestation? In addition to teaching, you about treatments, the knowledge will also help to undertake precautionary measures. Below we answer some FAQs about termites and termite infestations.
Q. Why Do Termites Eat Wood?
Ans. Everyone knows termites eat wood, but that is only partially true. When termites eat wood, what they are really after is the cellulose content in the wood. Cellulose is also found in paper, cardboard, cloth, and drywall.
Once termites have infested your home, they never cease eating. The ever-growing colony of termites will feed on anything and everything. A termite infestation poses a risk to the structural strength of your home and foundation.
Given how much termites love cellulose, the digestion process is rather complicated. Termites can not really digest cellulose on their own, instead, they depend on a unicellular bacteria called protozoa to break down the cellulose into simpler sugar and provide life-sustaining nutrients to the termites. The protozoa live in the termites’ digestive tracts.
Q. What Kind of Wood do Termites Prefer?
Ans. Different subspecies of termites tend to focus on different kinds of wood.
Subterranean Termites
The most commonly found species of termites in America, these gravitate towards soft pine wood. They live underground, in moist conditions and construct tunnels out of mud to travel from one place to another. Subterranean termites can be identified by the distinct pattern they leave behind. The pattern follows the grain of the wood. These termites also stay away from hard wood.
Drywood Termites
Unlike the subterranean variety, dry wood termites can get all their moisture from the wood and atmosphere. They start boring the wood from the inside and gradually work their way towards the periphery. This means that it is tough to gauge if a piece of wood has been infested by drywood termites. These attack the frames, flooring, and structural wood in a house.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites, as the name suggests, prefer infesting damp, decaying logs and stumps. Thankfully, most homeowners will not run into dampwood termite infestations unless their home already has damaged wood and high levels of moisture intrusion.
Q. What Do Termites Look Like?
Ans. Termites somewhat look like ants. They are small and usually sized between ¼th to ⅜th of an inch. Most termites are pale and have two pairs of translucent or white wings. The reproductive termites, also known as swarmers, use these wings to fly a short distance and find a mate. Once the swarmer has found a mate, it will shed its wings and work towards populating a colony.
Q. What is a Termite Colony?
Ans. A termite’s life is completely centered around its colony. Some termites live underground but most live in aboveground mounds made of mud, termite fecal matter, and saliva. The social structure of a termite colony is based on a caste system. The king and queen are the founders, tasked with reproducing and keeping the colony going. Then there are swarmers, reproductive termites to support the queen’s endeavors. Next come the soldier termites who protect the colony from attacks. Finally, there are workers that build the tunnels you seek to destroy during a termite treatment. Workers are also responsible for feeding soldiers and young termites.
Q. Do Termites Spread Diseases?
A. Fortunately, termites do not transmit any kind of disease to humans. However, they may transfer mold or fungus to plants and trees.
B. Termites have massive mandibles that look very capable of biting but they are herbivores. They do not purposefully bite humans but owing to poor vision, they may end up lighting pinching your skin.
Termite Treatments with Mother Nature Pest & Lawn
Termites damage property worth billions everywhere in the United States. It is important that you have precautionary measures in place even before you start seeing the first signs of an infestation. Our termite treatments at Mother Nature start with a 7-point inspection. A customized termite control plan is formulated and carried out. We also conduct annual inspections for our customers. Mother Nature uses an ecofriendly sentricon system to get rid of infestations.
For more information on our services, visit our website or call us at 405-278-8100 (OKC) and 918-362-2000 (Tulsa).
