There are many species of termites in the world. However, there are only two species that are a cause for concern: subterranean termites and dry-wood termites. Both types of termites perform serious destruction to homes, businesses, and other wooden structures by eating their way through the wooden structural elements. The structural damage termites can cause is devastating to home and business owners alike. Learn how to kill termites and how to protect your property from these harmful insects.
Termites are social insects that are often found in damp, rotting wood. Their colonies consist of the following castes: workers, soldiers, reproductive, a king, and a queen. Workers are the most prevalent form of termite. Their job duties may include any of the following: caring for eggs, foraging for food, feeding other castes, grooming others, and constructing and maintaining tunnels. They have soft, whitish-cream colored bodies with no wings. Soldiers protect the colony by defending their nest. They also have soft, whitish- cream colored bodies and have hard, dark colored heads with strong mandibles (jaws). They do not have wings. Reproductive termites are winged. Their function is to reproduce and swarm at specific times of the year. There are three forms of reproductives: primary (which can become a queen or king if necessary), secondary, and tertiary. Reproductives assist the colony by laying eggs. The king termite assists the queen with forming a colony. The king mates to increase colony size. The queen forms the colony, lays eggs to increase colony size, and cares for the colony. Eventually a colony can become so large that another queen is required. Termites have the ability to change castes, which help them create a balance within their colony.
Determine the type to learn how to kill termites
Subterranean termites are also known as ground termites. They usually cause more damage in a shorter period of time than dry-wood termites. Subterranean termites constantly forage for new food; they often travel up to 100 yards from their colony. Ground termites create mud tunnels or tubes from soil to a wooden element (their food source). The tunnels are used to create entry points into homes or other wooden structures, and also to protect them from predators and dehydration. Subterranean termites produce a pheromone (chemical odor) that allows other termites to follow them to food or water. These termites require three things to survive: food, water, and a moderate to tropical climate. Termites can quickly become dehydrated and die without a proper amount of moisture or humidity. If a water source is available close by, termites will create aerial nests. Aerial nests are above ground. Water sources may be a leaky roof, leaky plumbing, etc. Subterranean termites can consume wood in excess of 15 pound per week.
Termites find access points into the structure of a house or building. Access points include: construction joints, retaining wall joints, cracks in the wall or floor that are at least 1/16th of an inch, and utility pipes or lines that are not sealed properly.
Prevent subterranean termites by installing a termite monitoring detection system, perform a termiticide treatment on soil before building a structure, and eliminate conditions that are inviting to termites.
Dry-wood termites also use cellulose from wood as a food source. They may survive with only a small amount of moisture. Dry-wood termites do not live in the soil or have to have contact with soil, as do subterranean termites. Dry-wood termites live inside of wood. Their colonies are much smaller; dry-wood colonies number a few hundred to a thousand compared to the millions that number a subterranean colony. Sand-like pellets or droppings are a sign of infestation. However, it can take up to two years for enough droppings to accumulate and be visible evidence of infestation.
Prevention measures against dry-wood termites include using treated lumber for construction, coat untreated or exposed wood with termiticide, and seal all cracks with caulking.
Use your new found knowledge of how to kill termites
The best way to control subterranean termites is through prevention, education, and by eliminating conditions conducive to termite infestations. How to kill termites: If you find a termite infestation, it is best to treat the wooden structure with liquid termiticide. You can do this on your own. However, if the infestation is very large, it would be most effective to hire a professional that can use their experience and expertise to get the job done correctly the first time.
There are two methods to get rid of dry-wood termites. If you find an infestation with light activity, then this is how to kill termites: Locate kick-out holes. Create small holes in the kick-out, which can easily be done with an ice pick. Inject an appropriate insecticide into the holes. Seal the holes with caulking. How to kill termites in an infestation with heavy activity: Use tent fumigation. Depending on the severity of the infestation, it may be wise to call a professional in to get the job done right.
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