Subterranean termites live mainly in the ground. They search (“forage”) for wood (food) farther and farther from the center of their colony area as their numbers grow. Foragers may make underground tunnels or above-ground “shelter tubes” of mud, feces and debris used to search for new food sources and to connect their feeding sites to the soil. They can enter a building without direct wood contact with the soil through such tubes. Termites can enter buildings through cracks, expansion joints, foam insulation below ground, hollow bricks or concrete blocks, or through spaces around plumbing through openings as narrow as 1I32nd of an inch. Any building, whether constructed with a slab, basement or crawl space foundation, can be infested by termites.
In certain areas of the country you may encounter different types of termites, such as Formosan, damp-wood, or drywood termites. If your home is infested with one of these termites, it may require different or more extensive treatment procedures including wood treatment or fumigation.
Termite Signs
Possible signs of a termite infestation may include:
- Pencil-sized diameter (or larger) mud tubes running across bare concrete or masonry between the soil and any wooden part of your building.
- Small, thin, papery wings, all the same size and shape, 3/8 – 1/2 in. long, on your window sill, counter top or floor (especially if it is late spring and there has been a recent rain.)
- Thin, “bubbled” or distorted areas of paint on wooden surfaces which feel cool to the touch.
- Any wooden building parts (especially if they are support structures) begin to “sag” unexpectedly.
To learn more about how we can develop a termite management plan best suited to your situation, contact BPC Pest Control today.
