What are Termites? Everything You Need to Know

If you watch home renovation TV shows, you’ve probably seen this familiar scene: a wall is torn out, only for contractors to find a swarm of termites. But what are termites, and why are they feared by homeowners?

The word termite carries heavy weight for a reason; these bugs damage your home’s structure. Since they can enter the home unnoticed and feed on wood, they can eat through beams, walls, and floors. The good news is there are treatment options and ways to prevent the pesky pests from making your space their next victim, which you can read more about in the guide below. 

What Are Termites?

Termites are small insects that feed off wood and can cause major damage to your home if left untreated. Homeowners often have one of two types of termites in their homes: swarmers and workers. Swarmer termites are about 4 millimeters long, black or brown, and are reproductive. Not all swarmers have wings, but the ones that do typically lose them after emergence. 

In contrast, worker termites are cream-colored, 3 to 4 millimeters long, and are not reproductive. They’re hard to see with the human eye, but if they are spotted, it’s usually near a mud tube, a tunnel they build in or near infested wood. 

What Are the Signs of a Termite Infestation?

There are several tell-tale signs of a termite infestation, but the best way to find out is to contact a termite control specialist who can perform a termite inspection. A careful inspection can provide a clear idea of the extent of the infestation. In the meantime, stay vigilant for these warning signs:

• Droppings: You may spot small piles of termite droppings, which look like mounds of salt or pepper, to wood that sounds hollow when tapped. 

• Mud tubes: Depending on the termite species, you could find evidence of mud tubes near infested pieces of wood.

• Drywall holes: If you spot several small holes in your drywall, that could indicate a termite infestation. The same goes for discolored or drooping drywall.

• Buckling floorboards: If your wood floors are crumbling or buckling without any clear signs of other damage, termites may be the culprit.

• Peeling paint: Unfortunately, painted surfaces near a termite infestation may bubble or peel, as the pests are interested in the moisture behind the paint. 

How Do You Treat Termites?

The type of termite treatment that’s best for your home depends on what termite species has infested your home. Keep in mind that removing termites requires a local termite control specialist, who has the tools, skills, and knowledge required to eradicate these pests efficiently.

Removing Subterranean Termites

Since subterranean termites enter the home through wood that has contact with the ground, they’re often treated with bait stations or termiticide applications to ensure they die before they make their way inside. Bait stations work by housing a chemical that attracts termites, which they ingest and bring back to their colony. Termiticide is a solution applied to the outside of homes or injected directly into wood to kill off the insects. 

Removing Drywood Termites

However, you’ll need a different removal method to get rid of other termite species. Drywood termites don’t need contact with wood on the ground and are known to travel up to a mile to infest structural wood. Therefore, the best treatment options are gas fumigation or termiticide application. Gas fumigation is a method used only to reach termites deep within a home’s structure. A machine pumps out a chemical that kills the bugs once inhaled. 

Removing Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites prefer heavy moisture and typically infest damp or decaying wood, so the best way to get rid of them is by removing any wet or moist wood or applying termiticide. 

How Much Does it Cost to Treat Termites? 

Termite treatment cost can range from $230 for a small infestation to $1,000 for a more extensive infestation. The removal cost will depend on the type of treatment, the size of the treatment area, and the scope of the infestation. 

At the lower end of the spectrum, you may only have to pay for the application of termite bait, which is about $8 to $12 per linear square foot. On the higher end, you could be shelling out anywhere from $5 to $20 per linear square foot for tenting and fumigation. An initial inspection averages about $165, and it can sometimes bundle into the final cost of the treatment plan. 

How to Prevent a Termite Infestation 

There are a number of ways you can prevent termites from entering your home, one of which is to remove any exterior wood that’s in contact with the ground. This is the preferred avenue of subterranean termites, so if you get rid of their vehicle to get inside your home, you’re less likely to have an infestation. Another prevention method is to eliminate any moisture or water near your home’s foundation, which can attract termites. Installing plastic sheeting in any crawl spaces can also help, since it reduces moisture and keeps drywood termites away. And if you prefer the help of a professional, you can have a specialist treat the outside of your home regularly with termiticide to keep the pesky bugs at bay.