Of all the pest problems that a homeowner can run into, termites are among the most destructive. A colony of termites can completely destroy a home in only two to three years time. Though they are small, their jaws are capable of shearing off tiny bits of wood that adds up to huge problems for the homeowner over time.
Here are some facts about termites that every homeowner needs to know:
- The average termite life span is around 15 years. That is much longer than many people are aware of.
- Termites can lay eggs once every 15 seconds and multiply at a staggering rate. When you consider the incredible amount of eggs that can produce, it is not hard to understand how they might become so invasive.
- Many people discover termites when they go to do a home improvement project or through normal homemaking chores. This is especially true when you go to clean or work on an area that is not visited often such as a basement or cellar.
- Termite are often confused with ants and vice versa. Ants are skinny at the waist where termites are thick bodied. Ants have four wings that are large in front and smaller in back. Termites have four wings as well, but they are all equal in size.
- Termites are good for the eco-system as they recycle dead trees and wood in nature. That is not very comforting for the homeowner that is having their house eaten, however.
- Termites can be found in the entire United States with the lone exception of Alaska.
- Many people that live in new sub-divisions and so forth feel safe from termites when in fact, they are at the highest risk. Termites have just had their food source taken away when the land was cleared and they will seek out a new source….possibly your new home.
- Termites generally live just below the ground surface. They travel to the sources of wood that they find.
There are a number of signs that you might have termites other than the obvious sign of seeing them. One of the most common is the mud tunnels that they often leave on the outside of the home. This look like little tunnels of mud up the side of your home or basement. Other signs of termite infestation include termite swarming, sawdust on your windows or doorsteps, and damaged wood in the home.
If you think that you may be infested with termites, do not delay in contacting an exterminator. Every single day that you put it off can add to the termite damage. Over enough time, the termites will destroy the structure, making it uninhabitable or completely unstable.
The biggest key to saving your home and preventing termite infestation is to keep your home checked on a regular basis. It helps to make sure that you fix any leaks in plumbing and so forth as termites love to get the damaged wood. Water from a leak can damage wood, and therefore bring in some termite problems.
The bottom line about termites is to take any signs of their presence seriously. Many people make the mistake of seeing how tiny they are and putting off the extermination bill. This thinking can lead to a major bill for repair, or in the worst case, the loss of your home. Do not delay when you see termites. Call an exterminator!
