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THE TRUTH ABOUT TERMITES:
Every year, termites cause billions of dollars in damage, and Homeowner's
Insurance will not cover the cost of treatment. While you sleep, termites
may literally be eating you out of house and home. Termite damage is
insidious because you usually do not see them or the damage they cause
until it's too late. They are known for their industriousness and they
can find a way into your home, whether it is made of wood or concrete.
They can swarm in spring and fall, anytime environmental conditions
are right. These invisible destroyers cause more damage in the U.S.
than storms, fires and floods combined. Don't wait for obvious signs
of termite damage. Call STAR Pest Management Professionals for a free termite inspection, before
its too late.
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Termites vs. Flying Ants:
There are several visible differences between the termite and the flying
ant. The swarming termite has a broad waist. Its front and back wings
are the same size, sporting many translucent veins and its antennae are
straight. By contrast, the swarming ant has a narrow waist, its front
wings are larger than its back ones and there are not as many veins. Its
antennae have a bent elbow shape.
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Subterranean Termites:
This silent invader lives underground and multiplies by the thousands, always
in search for wood to feed their colonies. Left undetected, they will
tirelessly attack a home, causing dangerous and costly structural damage.
Subterranean termites enjoy warmth and like to eat cellulose, a material
found in all plant cells. This nourishment enables them to tunnel their
way through solid wood such as your house timber. The first attack is
likely to be on the underground structure of your house. As a rule, they
travel above ground for food (wood) and underground for moisture. A termite
mud tunnel found between the soil and wood construction in your home is
a sign of infestation. Termites feed on any structure containing wood,
they also attack slab homes and can enter through cracks as small as 1/64th
of an inch.
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Drywood Termites:
The Drywood Termite not only eats the wood structure, but lives inside
the wood structure. These insects will construct a virtual city within
the wood, complete with galleries or tunnels to get around it. They can
enter the home by flying in or being carried on previously infested wood,
such as furniture or construction materials. Each year they swarm as a
way of starting new colonies. Attic and eave areas are prime targets for
new colonies, along with windowsills, baseboards, beams and doorframes.
Any exterior wood that can be bored into is a good place to look for a
colony. They can even attack furniture, paper, cloth, wallboard or any
other cellulose material.
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