Termites

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites, also referred to as “white ants” due to their pale or whitish color, cause about 95% of the termite-related damage found in the United States. They seek shelter in the soil, which provides optimal temperatures and moisture for their survival.

A common trait of this pest is their habit of building shelter tubes when they have to venture over any exposed areas. These “mud tubes” are noticeable in heavy infestations, allowing the termites to cross exposed surfaces without being seen. They tunnel from the ground and come up through the slab or the outside of your home to get to the wood and paper products making up the structure.

With their method of infestation starting at the ground level, it is easier to prevent subterranean termites than drywood termite infestations.

Drywood Termites

These pests are social insects that live in colonies in sound, dry wood. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites require no contact with the soil or with any other source of moisture. This has enabled them to adapt well to human habitation. They find an ideal habitat in the dry wooden frames, beams, and furniture in homes and buildings. They get their nutrition from the cellulose in the wood.

Drywood termites enter structures through attic or foundation vents, directly through or under wood shingles, under eaves and fascia boards, and through natural cracks, checks and joints in exposed wood trim, window and door frames and sills.

Drywood termite colonies tend to be much smaller than subterranean termite colonies, but can be detected by the presence of their feces pellet. The characteristic drywood termite feces pellets can usually be seen accumulated as piles around infested wood and are usually the first evidence of a drywood termite infestation.