What Are Termites and How Do You Get Them?
Termites are a type of insect that feeds on dead plant matter such as woodchips, decayed wood or logs, leaf litter and soil. There are around 50 species in the United States. The three main types of house termites that cause issues for homeowners are subterranean termites that live in underground nests, damp wood termites that favor extreme moisture conditions and enter homes through wood in contact with damp soil, and dry wood termites that are found in coastal areas and don’t need much moisture to survive.
Termites cause an estimated $5 million in damage to homes in the United States every year, and homeowners insurance does not cover termite damage. On average, homeowners spend more than $8,000 to exterminate termites and repair the damage they’ve done. No matter where you live, there is a type of termite that can negatively affect your home. Some areas have higher populations of termites than others, so check to see if that’s an issue you need to be aware of when buying a home.
How to Know Your Home Has Termites
Look out for these early warning signs that indicate you may have termites attacking your home.
Stuck Windows or Doors
Termites target locations like windows and doorframes. As they eat through the wood, it can cause the frames to warp. This can also be a symptom of other structural issues, so look closely for damaged wood with insects or tunnels containing dirt.
Damage Under Paint or Wallpaper
Termites create tunnels, or termite galleries, when they feed on cardboard and wood paneling underneath the surface of your walls. When they leave these tunnels they create pinholes called “exit holes” which you might be able to see underneath the paint or wallpaper. You may have termites if your walls have started to look strange — for instance, they may exhibit pinholes, bubbling paint, peeling or discolored wallpaper, buckling wood, dented or sunken areas or narrow, winding lines.
Termite Swarmers and Discarded Wings
Swarmers are the reproductive members of termite society. They resemble flying ants but have straighter bodies and evenly sized wings. When they find a mate, they shed their wings.
Mud Tubes or Droppings
Mud tubes will look like narrow veins along the side of your home. They allow termites to move back and forth between their food source and their colony while maintaining the moisture levels that they require. Termite droppings, or frass, are small and brown, often resembling wood particles or sawdust. The species of termites common in the northeastern United States typically use their frass to build their mud tubes, so you may not see additional droppings.
How to Get Rid of Termites
If you see any termites or signs of termites, it’s a good idea to contact a professional exterminator immediately. The sooner you have the termites removed, the less damage you’ll have to repair. While it’s best to leave termite removal to the professionals, it’s helpful to be aware of the termite treatment an exterminator might use to get rid of them.
Soil and Wood Treatment
One common treatment for termites is to treat the soil around the affected house with a termite insecticide such as imidacloprid or fipronil. The wood inside your home may also be treated this way.
Termite Baits
Termite baits are strategically placed around your yard or home to lure the termites. Inside the bait traps, the insects are covered with a slow-acting insecticide or growth regulator. When the insects return to their colony, they subsequently poison others with the substance they are coated with before they die.
Termite Prevention
The best thing you can do for your home, and your wallet, when it comes to termites is to prevent them. Most species of termites need and are attracted to moisture, so taking steps to keep excess moisture away from your home will help to keep infestations at bay.
- Check plumbing and air conditioning units for leaks regularly.
- Eliminate as much wood-to-ground contact as possible.
- Replace the soil around your house with sand in areas where wood is touching the ground.
- If you must have wood touching the ground, consider using termite-resistant wood or wood that is recommended for ground contact in those areas.
- Stack firewood away from your house.
- Remove tree stumps from your yard.
- Leave a minimum of 6 inches of space between wooden porches or decks and the ground.
- Regularly clear out your gutters and drain spouts.
- Cover outside vents with termite-resistant steel mesh.
- Have your home inspected before purchase.
- Use a type of mulch that termites dislike, such as cedar, eucalyptus, California redwood or melaleuca mulch.