Helpful Termite Information For Homeowners

Termites, like ants, live in colonies beneath the ground. Each of the termites has a specific job to do, and they work together-as a part of the family- to get their job done. The worker termites care for their termite families. They do most of the work around their home and are responsible for feeding their colony. Swarming is their way of bringing back the wood to feed their termite colonies.

The soldier termites tend to the colonies and protect them against the ant invasions. There are those termites who only swarm and mate with others to reproduce and begin other colonies. The queen, is like the Queen Bee, or the Queen ant, and constantly lays eggs to replace all the termites that are killed off.

Termites that are swarming look similar to ants. The exception is they have long thin bodies and unlike the ant, they are completely white. They come through the house though open areas underneath the ground. They swarm underground chewing away the wood frame as they move through. Once they enter the light, as through the bathtub drain, they die off and leave a dirty disgusting mess in the bathtubs.

Termites survive on the wood that they eat. They can easily destroy the wood frame of a house, and have the house come toppling down. The only way to get rid of termites before they do damage is to have a house termite inspected at least once a year, before they start swarming for food to feed their colonies.

An infestation of termites can cause a house to fall completely to the ground. The worker termites, find their way into the homes by burrowing holes through the wooden frame of the house.

As their name implies, Drywood termites live on top of the soil and can be found in trees. They live in houses, such as yours or mine, and can even be found in outdoor wooden chairs and picnic tables.

Groundwood termites live inside the soil and tunnel upwards through the ground searching for woodpiles to use as a source of wood. They can be found in the wood pilings of firewood that you eventually bring into your house.
You know it is spring when you notice millions of long winged termites swarm outside from their underground nest. The main purpose is for them to find a mate, build their own nest. They will then start their very own colony of new termites in the early spring. This is when you can see masses of termites swarming in or outside of your house getting ready to destroy your home, wood fences, wooden tables and wooden chairs.

Because of the type of destruction termites can do to a house, it is important to have the house checked yearly and treated regularly to prevent your house from literally falling apart. There are many termite exterminators that can do the job, but make sure that they guarantee your house from future destruction from termites. It is expensive but cheaper then having to rebuild your entire house.