What About Termites

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TERMITE INFORMATION PAGE

WHAT ABOUT TERMITES?

Termites have been around for more than 250 million years. Although they look like ants, termites are more closely related to roaches (sometimes referred to as “social cockroaches.”), with a more sophisticated system of responsibilities. Termites rarely expose themselves to light and can die from direct sunlight exposure.

Subterranean Termites

  • A typically infested home may have three to four subterranean termite colonies around it, with as many as 1 million termites in each colony.
  • Sub termites are the most damaging wood pests in the United States, causing approximately $2 billion in damage each year. (More property damage than that caused by windstorms and fire combined).
  • Annual wood consumption for one termite colony: (Source: UC Berkeley)
    -Subterranean Termites: 7 pounds per year

Dry Wood Termites

  • Feed and nest in wood that has little or no moisture content and is undecayed; which gives them the ability to cause serious damage to furniture, and other movable wooden objects.
  • Do not need contact with soil to survive as subterranean termites do.
  • Dry wood termites cut across the wood grain, making large chambers connected to tunnels. (This type of damage is very different than that of sub termites.)
  • Annual wood consumption for one termite colony: (Source: UC Berkeley)
    -Dry-wood Termites: one-tenth of a pound per year
  • Considered less damaging than sub termites because they are less widespread.  

Damp Wood Termites

  • Feed and nest in wood that is damp or decaying and do not need contact with soil to survive as sub termites do.
  • Damaging damp wood termites commonly found in Pacific Northwest, less damaging in Southwest states.
  • Damp wood termites are among the largest species of termites; can reach 1 inch long.
  • Do not create tubes for shelter; they create large chambers connected to tunnels as they eat across the wood grain.