Termites
Termites in particular, subterranean termites are the most damaging insects of wood and can cause significant property damage. Their presence can be very difficult to detect in advance and typically their destructive damage is done before they are seen.
What are Termites?
They are small, ant-like insects that differ from ants in that they feed off of wood. Termites are social insects that live in colonies underground in the soil and where their labor is divided among a caste system.
Soldier – These termites protect the colony and comprise of only 1 – 3% of the colony population.
Workers – These termites cause the most damage by eating wood and building tunnels. Workers also maintain the colony by building and repairing the nest, seeking out for food sources. Workers are the most numerous of a colony population.
Reproductive – The queen or king of a colony, which remains underground and can, live up to 10 years, producing thousands of termites. Reproductive termites can either be primary or secondary. Primary reproductive termites have flown out of a colony to start a new colony and secondary reproductive termites serve as replacements if something happens to the primary reproductive termite.
The Damage Caused
They cause an estimated $5 billion in property damages and repair costs annually. More than 4 million homes in the United States are at risk of infestation every year.
Prevention and Curative Action
The Pest Guys, a division of TurfGator offers two termite control options, liquid termite treatments and termite bait stations. Both pest control services are very effective in protecting your home that you and your family have worked so hard for.
Sum it up
Termites are small, ant-like insects that cause significant property damage to homes and building structures every year. Their presence can be difficult to detect and typically their destructive damage is done before they are seen. Preventative and curative pest control solutions such as a liquid treatments or bait stations are the best options in protecting your home and in giving you peace of mind.
It is always a good idea to consult with a pest control professional and ask any questions you may have. Look around, ask friends or family, and research companies on the Better Business Bureau to find a company that you can trust.
For our pest control blog articles, please visit us at www.pestguys.com a division of TurfGator