Termites can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. They can cause significant structural damage to homes, which often goes unnoticed until costly repairs are needed. However, knowing the warning signs of an infestation can help you take the right steps toward preventing or mitigating the problem. So, what are termites? And what do they do?
What are termites?
They are small insects that are usually less than half an inch in length. These insects live in colonies with their own hierarchies, and each colony can vary in size, from just two termites ‐ a king and queen ‐ to a few hundred individuals. Mature colonies can contain 60,000 to one million termites, depending on the type of colony.
There are more than 2,000 species found worldwide, and roughly 20 species are classified as structural pests that can cause property damage. They feed on wood for cellulose, the main ingredient in paper, cardboard, and wood. This is essential to the ecosystem, aiding in nutrient recycling and maintaining healthy soil structure, but their need for cellulose can also lead to severe damage in your home.
Subterranean termite
This underground species is among the most costly wood-eating pests.
Formosan termite
They are responsible for roughly $1 billion in damages annually across the country.
Drywood termite
Though not as destructive as subterranean and Formosan termites, these insects can still cause significant property damage.
Life cycle and behaviour
Their lifecycle is surprisingly long, as they can live anywhere from two to 50 years, depending on the species and caste within the colony. Most individual termites live less than one year, but the queen can live for several decades, and a colony can survive indefinitely when conditions are favourable. The queen can lay thousands of eggs each day, which will hatch into nymphs and undergo multiple moults before reaching adulthood.
In terms of colony structure, they exhibit a highly organised social structure consisting of queens, kings, soldiers, and workers. The queen’s role is primarily reproductive, while workers are responsible for foraging, caring for the young, and maintaining the nest. Soldiers protect the colony from predators. Their predators include ants, certain species of spiders, birds, and mammals like anteaters and aardvarks.
What do termites look like?
They may come in many species, but they share key physical traits that set them apart from other insects. While they are often mistaken for ants, a closer look reveals distinct differences. Here’s what they look like:
- White or brown bodies. They often tend to be lighter in colour than ants.
- Broad waist. Unlike ants, which have thin waists like wasps, termites are broad-waisted.
- Straight antennae. Ants have bent antennae, while termites’ antennae are straight.
- Legs. Termites, like ants, have six legs. However, the broader width of a termite’s waist, coloring, and antennae shape can help make it easier to distinguish between the two insects.
Should you worry about termite damage?
Their infestations impact more than 600,000 homes each year, causing around $5 billion in damage and treatment for homeowners. Since they remain hidden while infesting a home, by the time signs are noticed, you may have severe and expensive damage on your hands. The damage they can cause can compromise the structural integrity of your home.
Homeowners should be on the lookout for signs of termites. There are also some preventive measures that you can take to try to prevent termites from coming into your home, including the removal of potential food sources, the correction of moisture problems in and around the home, and getting annual termite inspections.
How to tell if you have them in your home
To many homeowners, it may seem like termites suddenly appeared out of nowhere in their house. This is because they are experts at staying hidden until they’ve already caused severe damage. Though it can be tricky to spot a termite infestation in your home, there are a few things you can look out for. Here are the most common signs of infestation as per Pestworld:
- Buckling or blistered floorboards
- Waffled or layered appearance of damaged wood
- Hollow-sounding walls
- Flying termite swarmers
- Dead termites or their discarded wings
- Hard to open doors and windows
- Mud tubes
- Droppings
- Damaged drywall, bubbling under paint or wallpaper
- Moldy scents
- Dipping ceilings, buckling support beams, or other severe foundation damage
- Overly squeaky floors and loosening tile
They can damage wooden walls, furniture, and trees on your property. They will hollow these structures out, tunnelling through them, leaving holes and empty spaces behind. Unfortunately, most homeowners’ insurance does not cover such damages. If you notice any of these signs, contact a professional immediately.
What brings them into your home?
Keeping your home and yard clean and tidy won’t deter them. All species of termites are attracted to the wood in your home as it contains cellulose ‐ their primary food source. They also need moisture to survive and prefer damp areas such as crawlspaces and the ground around your foundation. While cellulose found in wooden structural beams and moist wood are their most common attractions, there are a few other conditions that may invite them, including:
- Poorly maintained air conditioning units. Leaky condensation pans or drainage lines can provide moisture, which helps them survive.
- Poor drainage. If your yard does not drain well after a storm, damp soil, and mulch can create a more attractive breeding ground. Make sure your yard is properly graded to point water away from your property, and your rain gutters are clear to distribute rainwater away.
- Leaking plumbing in your home. Any plumbing inside or outside your home (such as any spigots where you may attach a garden hose) should be checked for leaks. Leaky pipes can make the interior and exterior of your house more hospitable to termites.
What time of year are they most active?
Termites can cause damage to your home year-round, but you may not notice them until the weather turns warm and the swarming season begins. The majority of subterranean species swarm during the spring or summer months as the weather begins to warm. Conversely, drywood termites are typically most active during the late summer and fall.
During this swarming period, mature ones within a colony break off to form their own colony. They sprout wings and, when they land in their new home, twist these wings off and settle. You may see them swarm, but it’s more likely you’ll see the aftermath of discarded wings.
How can I help prevent termites in my home?
You want to do everything you can to prevent attracting these pests to your home in the first place. Some things you can do to help prevent them are:
- Minimize wood-to-ground contact
- Clear mulch, plants, and foliage from the immediate area around your home
- Managing moisture issues
- Schedule annual termite inspections with Vector Shield
What to do if you have termites in your house
The warning signs of a termite infestation are easy to miss if you don’t know what to look for. If you’ve noticed some of the signs above, chances are, your home may already be infested. It can be difficult to get rid of them on your own, especially if the infestation is already advanced. The best thing you can do is hire a pest control professional.
We understand how difficult it is to deal with these destroyers in your home. If you think they are in your home, or if you want to prevent future infestations, call Vector Shield for control. Our trained professionals know just how to help, and one of our experts will be able to recognise the type of termite in your home and can develop a plan to help take care of it before they cause further damage.