An Appetite for Destruction: Identifying Termites

Built By Rose McMillan for Building Moxie & Published July 10, 2012.
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When selling or buying a home, a termite inspection is usually required before closing the deal.  And each year, termites damage more homes than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and fires combined. The pest’s appetite causes an estimated two billion dollars of damage per year.

While homeowner’s insurance protects your home against these natural disasters, it doesn’t cover termite damage. Fortunately, termite prevention can be obtained through a pest company’s termite bond, which is a guarantee by the company that they will make sure termites do not invade the property.

There are approximately 4,000 species of termites in the world, but there are only four major types in North America. I discuss how identifying these termites below.

* Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites build very large underground colonies. They construct mud tunnels to move back and forth from the colony to their food. They need moisture in order to survive. If the walls or foundation of a house shows signs of mud tubes, it is highly probable that subterranean termites may have invaded the premises. A person should call a pest control company to have a termite inspection done on their home. If a professional inspector thinks the mud tubes represent signs of termites, a termite treatment should be initiated immediately. If no signs of termites are found, then a homeowner should purchase a termite prevention plan.

* Drywood Termites

Larger than a subterranean termite, drywood termite colonies are created by a pair of swarming termites, which reproduce other termites. In addition to needing very little moisture, these termites eat dry wood, or celluloid material, including the furniture in a house. Fecal pellets and particles that resemble sawdust are signs of an infestation. Mature colonies produce swarms of winged termites that fly out to create new colonies.

* Dampwood Termites

They are larger than subterranean termites. Like the drywood termite, a pair of swarming termites creates a colony in a damp area, invading decaying wood that is in direct contact with the ground. Colonies are small at first but can become quite large. Moisture is also important in sustaining the colonies. The young, immature termites do all the work for the colony. Sometimes they use their fecal pellets to close the openings in the galleries. A termite treatment should be done if loose fecal pellets are found, or when fecal pellets are stuck to the sides of the galleries.

* Formosan Termites

Formosan termites are considered to be the most destructive termite species in the United States, due to their ability to form enormous colonies. They are native to East Asia and were introduced to the US during the 1940’s. Not only do these termites invade and damage households, they also infest boats and live trees.

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When a person sells their house, they may be required to produce a termite bond, showing a recent termite inspection has been done. This will satisfy the buyer, the realtor, and also the banker who holds the mortgage. If the seller has been negligent in termite prevention, by failing to perform a termite treatment, they may have difficulty selling their home.

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Rose McMillan is an experienced pest control professional who has worked at several pest control companies, including Terminix and now does freelance writing with the purpose of educating homeowners.

All images via Rose McMillan for Terminix.