15 Little Known Termite Facts

1. Subterranean termites, common in many states, live underground in what can be huge colonies.
2. One colony can occupy multiple nesting and feeding sites connected by tunnels underground.
3. Hundreds of thousands to millions of individual termites can occupy areas of up to half an acre.
4. The colonies damaging one house may actually live in an adjoining yard and not actually under the infested house.
5. Subterranean termites drill out narrow, uneven tunnels through soil until they encounter their primary food –wood—such as decaying tree roots, logs, stumps, woodpiles, and plant debris OR YOUR HOUSE!
6. Once they discover a tasty feeding site, worker termites lay down an invisible odor trail to attract others to the food source.
7. Termites can be very beneficial since they help decompose organic matter and return nutrients to the soil.
8. Termites have a caste system where each type of individual has their own job!
9. You can have a subterranean termite infestation for years and not know it. Termites damage approximately 600,000 homes in the U.S. each year.
10. A termite queen can live 15 to 25 years and lay an egg every 15 seconds.
11. U.S. residents spend an estimated $5 billion annually to control termites and repair termite damage.
12. Swarming termites are often confused with flying ants. See illustration above for the difference.
13. If you own a porch, deck, or stairway that conceals a portion of your basement wall, subterranean termites can infest your home without any external sign.
14. Termite inspectors will look for warning signs of termites, including mud tubes, termite droppings, exit or kick-out holes, bubbling or peeling paint, and wood damage.
15. The cryptic nature and tenacious foraging habits of these insects pose a challenge to most pest control companies, but NOT DA Exterminating!

Call us today to schedule a termite inspection. 800-650-PEST