Which termite does the most damage?
This termite species lives in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas aboveground that can contain up to 2 million members. They build distinctive "mud tubes" to gain access to food sources and to protect themselves from open air. Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species in the U.S.
An important difference between the two is that subterranean termites nest in the ground, while drywood termites nest inside the wood they are infesting. This leads to varying points of attack on your property. Subterranean termites make mud tubes to tunnel through the ground and invade your home.
There are two common termites to worry about: drywood termites and subterranean termites. The main difference between these two is that drywood termites infest dry wood and do not require contact with the soil, while subterranean termites need contact with soil or water to survive.
For some African species of termites, a queen's life span may be up to 50 years, while in other species, such as drywood termites, the queens live only 10 to 12 years. In general, worker termites live about two years.
Subterranean termites are much more dangerous because they cause more significant damage than drywood termites. Their colonies can develop up to 1 million strong. Subterranean termites have a soft white body with no eyes. They are typically no longer than a centimeter.
Habitat: Subterranean Termites live in the ground and come up to feed on the wood frequently only to return back to the colony deep underground. Termite damage is usually first seen at or near the ground. However, damage can occur far above ground if the infestation has remained undetected for a long period.
Termite swarming only happens once per year, and most colonies swarm for only 30 to 40 minutes.
Termites will not go away on their own. We bet you know why. While many pests need to find a food source inside your home in order to stay, termites do not. Your home IS the food they eat.
Clemson University scientists reported that 'Termites hate smells of cedarwood, geranium, and tea tree oil. It has also been found that clove bud, cinnamon, and garlic oils can also repel termites.
A typical, mature subterranean termite colony can consist of anywhere between 60,000 and two million workers. Subterranean termites use their scissor-like jaws to eat wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Like other termite species, subterranean termites also feed on products containing cellulose.
What temperature kills subterranean termites?
At temperatures above 100°F or below 25°F, termites may die in a matter of minutes. Through their movements, termites are able to avoid such extremes and exploit areas where temperatures are more suitable.
For effective drywood termite control, heat must raise air temperatures to between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures inside the wood – where the drywood termites live – must reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 35 minutes to kill the termites.
Drywood termites don't nest inside tunnels. Instead, they inhabit the wood they are currently feeding on. They also don't need soil to enter the house; they take advantage of the entryways. You can tell whether these termites are actively infesting by tapping on the wood and it makes a hollow sound.
Destructive termites take about 3 to 8 years to inflict noticeable damage to your property--this will still depend on the species of termite and the mature size of their nest. A colony consisting of 60,000 termites can eat 2x4 wood within 5 months.
The single most destructive type of termite is the subterranean kind. Although not as common as the dry wood variety, these burrowing insects are the prime culprits in the devastation of homes and buildings across the country, causing billions of dollars of damage to structures every year.
Sulfuryl fluoride kills drywood termites within several days. A monitored fumigation, which involves installing gas monitoring lines inside the structure undergoing treatment, has the highest rate of treatment success.
If drywood infestations remain untreated, the resulting infestation will eventually involve many different portions of the structure and result in significant structural and cosmetic damage.
Termites are active 365 days a year, therefore termite prevention is a year-round process. However, winter months are an ideal time to implement termite bait stations for both your home and/or business because during this time, termite activity is moderately more predictable.
Orange and neem oils are very effective for wood termite treatment. The former contains a compound called d-limonene and can easily kill termites when they come in contact with it. On the other hand, neem oil takes effect once ingested by the termites.
Termites are also consumed by nematodes such as roundworms, arachnids such as crab spiders and scorpions, and insects such as wasps, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, dragonflies and scorpions. Assassin bugs will raid termite nests and inject them with toxins before sucking them dry.
Should I worry about subterranean termites?
How serious are subterranean termites? As the most common type of termite nationwide, subterranean termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage each year. They also eat books, other paper products, cellulose-based products, and a variety of other plant-based goods.
Subterranean termites are ground-dwelling social insects living in colonies. The two species found in Nebraska have similar habitats. These termites have the ability to adjust the depth of their colony (nest) in soil depending on temperature and moisture requirements. The colony may be 18-20 feet deep in the ground.
Whether you've had termites in the past or are looking to prevent them, all homeowners should have their home inspected annually for termites. For the most part, termite treatments last anywhere from a couple to 10 years depending on the type of treatment used.
- Wood siding and wooden roof shingles.
- Wood framing and supports in attics.
- Wood molding and framing around windows and doors.
- Eaves and overhangs.
- Protected joints or crevices in and around doors.
Two of the types of termites that are found in California are drywood termites and subterranean termites. Drywood termites can create colonies of up to 3,000 and often cause damage to the wood framing in attics.