Everyone knows what termites are, but what most people don’t know is that there are different types of termites.
Subterranean Termites
The subterranean termites build straightforward routes to their food. These critters are only 0.13 inch in length but it doesn’t stop them from causing major damage. You’ll mostly find them underground, building large colonies since they have the need to protect themselves from air. Colors range from creamy white to dark brown. Check for signs of entry including small wings or mud-up heaves in your home. If you notice hard wood turning soft, then there’s a very good chance these termites have infested your home.
Subterranean termites work silently and they multiply very fast. Get rid of moisture in and around your home, as well as clogged water and wet wood.
Formosan Termites
Formosan termites have a very organized colony. They have soldiers, gatherers and reproducers. They look a bit similar to subterranean termites but they have six legs and have a more narrow built.
Formosan termites hang out close to light sources so you might want to start your inspection there and look for discarded fans or bodies. You should also check wood structures to see if any portion has been eaten away or is hollow. This type of termite is very aggressive and they don’t stay underground for long. They scale up to big buildings and can reach even the highest floors.
Drywood Termites
These termites have a narrow body and some sub-types have wings. They dig underground but also infest higher areas. They are more agile in growing their colony compared to other kinds of termites. Drywood termites are often cream-colored. They are not driven by moisture so they are hard at work even on hot days. They prefer firewood, scrap wood and other dry wood types as habitat.
If you have large trees in your property or wood scraps, be wary of these termites. Keep discarded wood 30 feet away from your home and always remove large branches that have fallen off your tree.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites don’t need soil to build their colonies. They can grow in your furniture, bed frames, or any dampened wood and live trees and start infesting it. They eat fast and can do major damage real quick, but can also survive on just a small plank of wood throughout their lifetime. These termites have a reddish brown color.
Conehead Termites
Known for their super aggressive soldiers, conehead termites as the name suggests, have a conical top. These termites feast on cellulose compounds so they hang out in trees and timber, regardless of whether it’s hard, west, soft or dry. As long as it contains cellulose, they will eat it.
Desert Termites
These termites originated from the deserts and tend to build colonies in areas that are sandy. Otherwise, they produce their own porous land to be comfortable. Because desert areas have little or no moisture, desert termites use soil and saliva for moisture.
Pest control services like ABC Pest Control should be contacted if you suspect a termite infestation.