Termites, Be Gone

Termites, Be Gone Image

Termites are insects often mistaken as winged ants. They consume wood, which, in nature, helps to quickly decompose fallen trees into nutrients absorbed by the soil. However, having them in your home isn't a good thing. In the United States alone, hundreds of thousands of homes are treated every year for termite infestations. Termites thrive in warm areas, however they are also capable of surviving in temperate climates the world over.

Termite infestation is a worsening problem, since current home construction trends such as patios, attached garages, and breezeways are open to termite infestations. Aside from that, old-growth forests are becoming more rare, so that more and more houses are being built with newer sapwood which is more prone to termites. Central heating systems also allow termites and other insects a warm and comfortable environment to breed and dwell in all year round. The best way to protect yourself from termites is to apply some easy-to-do termite control approaches.

Termites can live deep underground,coming up only to feed frequently, so traditional pest control methods might prove ineffective. Termites live in colonies numbering as much as a quarter of a million inhabitants, and some choose to make colonies within the wood they feed itself, such as Drywood termites, which are common in the Gulf States, California, and in the Caribbean islands. Since they have 'secretive' colonies, it is easy for them to be transported from place to place, spreading the damage that they cause.

Even in houses made of brick, termites can prove to be a troublesome pest. They are able to creep into small cracks as minute as 32nd of an inch wide. Newer homes are less likely to have termite infestations but they could become a problem if the house was built on a previous or existing termite colony. Houses that are older than 35 years are most likely to see or suffer from termite damage.