Termites
Termites are known for the horrific and devastating damage they can wreak on building structures and personal property. Latest industry estimates place the annual cost of damage and treatment at $5 billion worldwide.
Termites belong to the order isoptera (ISO=Equal, PTERA=winged) there are over 2,000 species of termites. In Northeast Arkansas, however, we deal mainly with the subterranean termite.
Subterranean Termites:
Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species. Over an extended period of time, thhey can collapse a building entirely, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time.
Subterranean termites are ground dwelling and nest in the soil or in wood making contract with the ground. They reach wood by building earthen tubes. They build them fast too! 2 1/2 inches in 65 minutes. The tubes look like dried up cement so they are easily spotted.
Homeowners may not know they have termites unless they happen to observe the reproductive termites during swarm season. Both male and female reproductives leave the colony in great numbers (swarms), usually in the spring or fall. These swarms are often the first visible indication that termites are present. Environmental conditions must be just right before termites will swarm. As a general rule, swarmers emerge on warm, sunny days, when the humidity is high, often on days following rain showers. Swarmer termites are often confused with flying or swarmer ants.
Termites live in colonies consisting of reproductives, soldiers and workers. The size of the color depends on the strength of the reproductives whose winged forms are small (about half an inch).
Ninety percent of subterranean termite infestations can be traced to contact of wood to the ground so the best way you can help avoid infestation is to make sure that there is no wood/ground contact along the perimeter of your home.
If you suspect signs of termite infestation, call Hyde's Termite and Pest Control today at 1.800.347.5955 for a free inspection. We'll be happy to discuss the treatments we offer along with the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Did You Know?
Myth: A brick house on a concrete slab is safe from termites.
Fact: Virtually all homes have a wood frame, so no matter how the wood is separated from the soil, termites can work their way to it from the ground underneath. Similarly, a concrete slab does not eliminate wood-to-ground contact. Termites can construct tunnels through cracks in concrete.
