To the naked eye, termites may appear to be harmless insects. Mention the word “termite” in the company of experienced homeowners and you’ll probably see looks of dread on their faces. If you’ve ever battled a termite infestation, you’ll understand why. These bothersome pests can wreak havoc on a home, destroying the wood that serves as the structural foundation, devaluing your property and draining your bank account as you try to eliminate the problem.
So what should you do if you discover a termite infestation in your home? Start by learning about termites and how they function. It might give you a better idea of why they are so effective in destroying your home, and why they are so hard to eradicate.
Identifying Termites
There are roughly 45 species of termites found in the United States. These 45 species are broken down into three types: subterranean, drywood and dampwood.
Subterranean termites live underground in nests. Their nests branch out to a series of mud tubes that connect them to trees, wooden furniture and fences, houses — areas where they can access wood for consumption. Subterranean termites are found in almost every state (except Alaska), and they build the biggest nests of any of the 45 species in the U.S.
Drywood termites live in wood rather than soil. Their nests might be found in a dead tree or some rotting lumber. Drywood termites live in smaller groups than subterranean termites, so damage happens at a slower rate. Dampwood termites make their nests in wet or moist wood. They are rarely a threat inside the home, as most indoor wood is kept dry.
Subterranean termites are the most prevalent in-home infestations. Their natural instinct is to consume as much cellulose as possible to contribute to the survival of the group. Within a subterranean termite colony, there are termites with specific physical features and distinct roles. There are a few types that you’ll see above ground, including workers, soldiers and reproductive termites. Workers have long, white bodies, soldiers are distinguished by a large head with big mandibles and reproductives have wings. The names imply the functions each type performs: workers build, clean up and break down everything in the colony, soldiers defend the colony and reproductives produce eggs to populate the colony.
Though termites consume wood, they don’t actually digest it. These insects have bacteria and other organisms living in their guts that digest cellulose for them. Once digested, their excrement (or frass) actually protects them from diseases. There are hundreds of different types of bacteria in their colonies, many of which come from the frass.
A University of Florida research team recently performed a study of termites and the bacteria found in their colonies. The researchers experimented with removing specific bacteria from the colonies. When they removed the Streptomyce bacteria (which is found in termite frass) and added a disease agent, the termite colony died. When the disease agent was added to a colony with Streptomyce present, the colony survived.
Diagnosing Your Infestation
There are several straightforward ways to know if you have an infestation. The most obvious (but relatively unlikely) way to identify them is if the bugs are swarming. Swarming is the act of moving around to engage in reproductive activity. If you don’t actually see them fly, you might notice leftover wings lying around. Mud tubes in the ground and bubbled paint on the walls are also common signs, as termites travel through the tubes and often make paint bubbles when traveling through the wall. Severe damage to the wood in your home is an indication of termites as well.
Eradicating Your Termite Infestation
Termites are notoriously difficult to eradicate. They are quite hardy insects and they have numerous natural defenses (protective frass being one of them). So what should you do if you find yourself with a serious infestation?
1. Locate the Colony
First you’ll need to determine where the colony is located to the best of your ability. Knowing the location of the colony will help you target your efforts.
2. Get Rid of the Food Source
Next you’ll need to move all termite food sources out of your home and as far away from your foundation as possible. If you have firewood, mulch or lumber stacked up next to your house, move it to the farthest part of your yard. If there are any tree stumps or other plant debris in your yard, remove them promptly. Also plan to seal all exterior walls and make sure your foundation is dry (and stays that way). Adding a waterproof barrier around your foundation will help, and you might also add mesh and sand around the barrier. Termites have difficulty moving through sand, and the combination of sand and mesh may keep them out.
3. Kill the Termites
Once you’ve taken these preparatory steps, it’s time to decide on how to kill these pests. There are a wide variety of options, including chemical solvents and natural remedies you can apply yourself.
- Chemical Applications:
The most common chemical options are insecticides, foams and bait. Insecticides are generally sprayed throughout the home. Foams are applied in specific areas and can penetrate wood. Bait traps are used in conjunction with boric acid. The bait in the traps attracts the insects, and once inside the trap, the boric acid sticks to them and kills them. - Natural Remedies:
There are a number of natural remedies for killing termites, but some apply only in specific situations. These insects cannot swim, so flooding is an option if the area is accessible and water will not cause further damage. Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze them as well. Termites will also die when exposed to temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Direct sunlight and heat fumigation can both achieve this temperature, although heat fumigation should be done using a professional exterminator. Nematodes are natural predators of termites, so introducing them into your yard will control the population.
Preventing Future Termite Invasions
After eradicating the termites, make sure your home is protected from future invasions. Keep all wood sources far from your home. Make sure exterior cracks are sealed and your foundation is dry, and add a barrier as extra protection. Check your plumbing system for water leaks — those leaks will draw termites quickly. Fix them before another infestation happens, and check your plumbing system regularly. After heavy rains, remove any water that pools around the foundation. Clean your gutters regularly to prevent water from entering the house through them. Keep moisture out of your home with good circulation.
Termites are part of our natural world. They’ve developed many natural defenses that have kept them alive for thousands of years. With the right precautions and ongoing steps, you can rid your home of these destructive pests and keep them out for good.
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