You probably already know that termites are destructive. A single colony can eat through as much as half a foot of 2 x 4 in just five months. That is enough to cause structural issues if they have been eating in the right place.
But, what you may not have realized is that there are thousands of species of termites and not all of them are destructive! Of course, they all eat cellulose-based items, including wood, but there are only four species you need to be seriously concerned with.
If you spot any of the following in your home you should contact your Princeton pest control experts and get them to take care of the problem. In fact, it doesn’t matter where you live, get hold of the best pest control in Dallas or your state and take action quickly.
Subterranean
These are definitely the worst of the bunch. Subterranean termites simply enjoy eating wood and will do it all day and all night! That means they can cause a significant amount of damage in a short space of time. But, as they are inside the wood they can be hard to spot.
The damage they do is irreparable and can lead to problems with structural integrity. They are translucent, making them exceptionally hard to spot. Instead, you should be aware of the signs of their presence, namely hollow parts of the wood, blistering, and dark spots.
Drywood
This type of termite actually likes to live below ground, there are very few species of termite that do this. It should be noted that the ground doesn’t need to be soil, they can burrow into almost any material.
As their name suggests, they prefer dry wood and will happily start with the wood that you cannot easily see. You are more likely to see their discarded wings next to exposed mounds of food. This suggests they have started creating a colony.
Formosan
The good news about the Formosan termite is it is native to Taiwan and rarely seen elsewhere in the world. These are classified as super termites as they are particularly aggressive. This doesn’t mean they are a threat to humans but, they don’t just eat wood. They will eat anything cellulose-based, including your wallpaper! They look very similar to ants but have straight antennae.
Dampwood
The final species love damp wood. That means they will be attracted to any wood that is already rotting in your home. In some senses, this means they are doing you a favor as they are drawing your attention to the issue.
These termites are dark brown with tinges of red, making them easier to spot. Instead of looking for the termites, keep your eyes on your wood. Dust, black spots, blisters, and a damp smell all suggest damp wood termites.
In all cases, if you think you have an issue with termites, get professional help as quickly as possible.