The Truth About Termites

True or False: Termite queens live for several decades.

• True: A queen termite has a long lifespan and is typically the oldest termite in the colony. Termite queens can live 25 to 50 years, with peak egg production for up to 10 years. When the queen dies and the pheromone she uses to block reproductives' development is no longer produced, a new queen will develop in the colony.

True or False: Ants like to eat termites.

• True: Termites face many predators in nature, and one of the most notable is the ant. Ants eat termites for a variety of reasons. Termites make great meals for ants because they provide plenty of protein. Some of the more important motives have to do with reducing competition for resources.

True or False: Termites live in every state in the U.S.

• False: There are about 45 different kinds of species of termites found in the U.S.; however, Alaska is the only state in the U.S. that does not have termites.
  
  

How Can You Prevent Termites from Damaging Your Home?

Termite control is a two-part process: preventing termites from accessing your home and treating known termite colonies.

Methods to help prevent termites from damaging your home include:

• Receiving regular, typically annual, termite inspections from a qualified expert.
• Working with your pest control professional to address conditions around your home, such as excess moisture and wood-to-ground contact, which can be conducive to termite activity.
• Determining what preventative termite treatments, direct wood treatment, bait and monitoring systems, etc. will be most effective based on your home's construction and signs of activity around your home and neighborhood.
  
  

How Can You Help Prevent Subterranean Termite Infestations?

Remove Access

• Seal gaps around water and gas lines where they enter your home to help eliminate entry points.
• Wood-to-ground contact is a common access point for subterranean termites seeking entry into your home. Where possible, try to reduce wood-to-ground contact. In addition to removing this highway into your home, you also can treat wood with termiticide to make it unattractive to termites.
  
  

Reduce Food Sources

• Throw out extra cellulose materials around your house, such as in crawlspaces. Replace landscaping mulch with cellulose-free alternatives or move it back at least six inches from your foundation.
• Make sure wooden siding is at least six inches above the ground.
  
  

Reduce Excess Moisture

• Make sure water does not pool around the foundation of your home or on your roof.
• Address moisture problems in basement and crawlspace areas.
• Fix leaky plumbing, faulty gutters and air conditioner condensation lines that may be dripping.
  
  

Monitor for Activity and Adopt Prevention Techniques

• Inspect lumber: especially used lumber and railroad ties for termites before using it in home or garden projects.
• Ask your pest management professional to recommend prevention techniques around your home, which could include monitoring stations, liquid treatment or direct wood treatment. Monitoring stations are the least intrusive option since they serve as warning signs of activity; however, they do not provide any protection against infestations. Proactive treatment can help protect your home against future infestations.
  
  

How Can You Help Prevent Drywood Termite Infestations?

Remove Access

• Drywood termites can enter your home through small cracks in the exterior wood. Seal all cracks, crevices and joints to prevent termites from entering.
• Two easy ways to reduce access include applying a fresh coat of paint, which can seal the smallest crevices in wood, and installing bug screens over attic and foundation vents.

Reduce Food Sources

• Remove dead trees, firewood and any other dead wood that can house drywood termites.
  
  

Monitor for Activity and Adopt Prevention Techniques

• Inspect lumber: especially used lumber and railroad ties for termites before using it in home or garden projects.
• Wood shingles create easy access for drywood termites. Watch for signs of drywood termites near areas with wood shingles. Ask your termite expert about proactive treatment options that can help protect your home.