5 Common Questions Asked about Termite Control

Termites have always been a problem to all of us. They can cause serious structural damage to our property. Their severity depends on the weather; when it’s hot, they reproduce faster, like other pests. That is why in tropical countries like the Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Philippines, etc., termite infestation is a common problem all year long. If these pests are your problem too, I’m sure there are so many things you want to know about termite control, and here are the common questions asked by those who have the same problem:

1. What are termites? How are they different from other pests?

Termites are insects that feed on wood, soil and leaf litter because of the dead plant material found in them. This weird appetite of theirs is what makes them different from other pests. Although they can help with the decomposing of the dead plant and turn them into nutrients, they are still considered as pests because they can turn your wooden furniture and walls into nothing. In fact, these pests have been bringing serious structural damage to many households and establishments for generations.

2. I see insects around my house, how can I tell if it is just an ant or a termite?

Termites are always confused as ants because it is so hard to tell which one’s which. They look almost the same, either with or without wings. Here’s a brief description of what they look like: A wingless termite is soft-bodied, light in color, while a wingless ant is dark with a hard shell. The former is rarely seen outside their colony while the latter is always out there going around your house. With that being said, there is a huge chance that what you always see crawling is just an ant.

It is harder to tell the difference if the insect you see has wings. Both winged termites and winged ants have black bodies. You must look at them closely in order to tell the difference; winged termite’s body has two body segments while the winged ant has three. While both of their wings are long and extend past their body, the difference is how their wings lie at their back. The termites’ wings lay back very straight, parallel with the body, while the ants’ are pointing away from the body at the bottom.

3. What are the types of termites? Which do we often see?

Most of us are familiar with the black winged termite we often come across in our house or even at work. However, you should know that they are not the only termite we should be worried about. There are actually 4 types, and each causes damage, so it’s best to know about them. By the way, the most common termite mentioned above is the Drywood Termites, so that’s one. The reason why we always see them around is because they don’t need moisture in order to survive, unlike the other types of termites, because they are able to gain moisture from the wood they eat. They also live in the woods they eat, so if you see holes on your wooden cabinet, then they probably have a family of the living there.

The other 3 are the:

Subterranean Termite. They can be found underground, because soil provides them moisture. That is why when they need to reach a food source that is not underground, they create mounds of soil which will serve as their tunnel systems. So if you see a line on your wall, do not blame your most artistic household member for drawing a line on your wall, it’s actually these pests who made it, and they made it with soil, eww.

Formosan Termites. Among the termite family, they are the most destructive, and they are big too. These bad boys consume large portions of wood because they are big. Makes sense right? Be alarmed when you see a yellowish-brown insect because that’s what these bad boys look like.

Dampwood Termites. They hold the biggest title among the 4, and they can reach up to 25 mm. However, unlike the bad boys mentioned above, these termites are more in the soft side. They leave very little damage. Phew! Decaying woods are their favourite, so they’re not really a threat unless your house is made of decaying woods..

4. How do I know if my house is infested with termites?

The most common indicator that you share your house with termites is the presence of lines on your wall made of soil. This means that the termites have found a food source at your home, and this line of soil act as their passage way from their colony to the food source. Another sign include, as ridiculous as this sounds, is that you hear lots of chewing sounds. Yes, you can actually hear them. This is a clear sign that lots of them have already made a way through your house, and that they love it when they eat your furniture that you bought with your hard earned money.

5. Can I get rid of them myself?

No. Believe me, I’ve tried. I scrapped off the line of soil they create on my wall thinking that would stop them but no, they just made another one. I thought that they will eventually get tired if I keep scrapping their tunnel but they don’t seem to get tired either. These lines also left some sort of a scar that won’t disappear unless you paint on it.I also tried the ones they sell on hardware stores that claim to get rid of them but they still kept on coming back. The thing is, unless you get rid of their entire colony, they will keep on coming back. It is best to hire termite control services to treat this problem, as they have the right chemicals, equipments and expertise.

Hopefully this answers your concerns about termites. If you have any more questions, feel free to comment, we are open ears!