Termites: Facts, Information, and Treatment

Welcome to Fox Pest Control’s ultimate guide on termites! Whether you’re dealing with an infestation or just curious about these tiny creatures, we’ve got all the information you need. From facts and types to behaviors and termite treatment options, this guide covers it all. Let’s dive in.

How Many Termites Are There in the World?!

There are a lot of termites in the world—trillions, in fact! These tiny insects are everywhere, with more than 2,000 different species living across the globe. Believe it or not, if you piled up all the termites in the world, they would weigh more than all the humans on Earth. That’s about 445 million tons of termites compared to humans, who weigh around 350 million tons!

Termite colonies can be huge, with some having millions of members. They play an important role in nature, especially by helping break down dead plants and adding nutrients to the soil. So, while they might be pests in homes, they’re actually doing a lot for the environment.

Termites: Veterans of the Insect World

Termites have been around for a really, really long time—estimates put them anywhere from 100 – 250 million years! They first appeared during the Triassic period, making them one of the oldest insect groups, even outlasting the dinosaurs. These ancient insects evolved from a cockroach-like ancestor and have been thriving ever since.

Most Common Termite Species

While there are over 2,900 different species of termites throughout the world, there are a few well-known species here in the US. The most common is the subterranean termite, which is found in every state except Alaska. These little pests are responsible for nearly 95% of all termite damage in the United States. You can also usually find Drywood and Dampwood termites throughout the warm, southern and coastal states. We’ll dive a little deeper into each of these species in a minute.

Do Termites Bite or Sting?

Termites don’t usually bite or sting people. They’re not aggressive and prefer to stay hidden, munching away on wood and plants. The only ones with strong jaws are the soldier termites, and they will only bite if they feel threatened, like if you pick them up. But don’t worry—if you do get bitten, it’s not harmful, and termites don’t spread diseases like some bugs do. So, while they can damage your home, they’re not a danger to you.

Life Cycle of Termites

The termite life cycle is pretty fascinating. Let’s break it down:

1. Egg: It all starts when the queen lays eggs. She can lay thousands over her lifetime! The eggs hatch into tiny termites called nymphs.
2. Nymph: Baby termites, or nymphs, grow and molt (shed their exoskeleton) several times as they develop into different roles in the colony. Have you ever wondered what baby termites look like? If you look at the graphic above, you’ll see that they’re mini versions of the adults – white and nearly translucent.
3. Caste System (Worker, Soldier, Reproductive):
   • Workers: Most nymphs grow up to be workers. These are the ones doing all the heavy lifting—gathering food, building tunnels, and taking care of the queen and king.
   • Soldiers: Some nymphs develop into soldiers. They have strong jaws and big heads to protect the colony from predators like ants.
   • Reproductives (Swarmers): Finally, some termites become reproductive adults, called alates or swarmers. These are the ones that grow wings, leave the nest, and go off to start new colonies.
4. Swarming: During certain times of the year, usually after rain, the winged termites (alates) fly out of the colony in big groups, called swarms. They’re looking for mates and a good spot to start a new colony.
5. New Colony: After landing, the alates lose their wings and pair up. They dig into the ground, build a tiny nest, and start laying eggs, becoming the new king and queen of their colony. And the cycle starts all over again!

With this pattern, the termite life cycle keeps the colony growing and thriving, with each type of termite having a special job to keep things running smoothly.

The Roles of Adult Termites

Remember how we said that termites follow a caste system? Adult termites have specific roles within the colony that help keep things in order. You may be wondering how each role is decided. Let’s dig into it a bit more and find out!

The Termite Queen’s Role

The queen termite is basically the “mother” of the whole colony, and her main job is to lay eggs—tons of them! It takes her a little while to really get into the groove of things—she only produces a few hundred in her first year. As she gets bigger, she starts laying more eggs. An older queen in a well-established colony can lay up to 40,000 eggs every day. Over her lifetime, she could lay millions of eggs, helping the colony grow really fast.

One of the queen’s main jobs is keeping the colony balanced and growing. As she lays eggs, she releases pheromones that guide termite nymphs into becoming workers, soldiers, or reproductive termites. These pheromones control the number of termites produced for each role, ensuring the colony has enough members to gather food, defend the nest, and keep things running smoothly.

One of the coolest things about the queen is how long she lives. While most worker termites only live a few years, the queen can live for decades, sometimes over 25 years! This means she can keep the colony going strong for a really long time. Without the queen, the colony would fall apart because there wouldn’t be any new termites to replace the older ones. Long live the Queen! (But maybe not at your house, right?)

The Termite Caste System

Each adult termite has its own important role in the colony. Whether they’re building tunnels, guarding the nest, or starting new colonies, these little insects are always busy! Let’s dive into the three main types of adult termites: workers, soldiers, and reproductives!

1. Workers: These are the most common termites in a colony, the backbone of the colony, making sure everything is organized and that everyone has enough food. Here’s what they do:

• Build and maintain tunnels and nests.
• Gather food, like wood and plants, for everyone in the colony.
• Feed the queen, king, soldiers, and baby termites (called nymphs).
• Take care of the eggs and nymphs.

2. Soldiers: Their one main job is to defend the colony. They’ve got big heads and strong jaws to protect the nest from threats like ants and other predators. Even though they’re tough, soldiers can’t feed themselves, so they rely on the workers to take care of them. Think of soldiers as the colony’s bodyguards, always ready to fight off any invaders.
3. Reproductives (Swarmers or Alates): These are the termites that start new colonies. While they’re still larvae, reproductives grow tiny wing pads in preparation to become future kings and queens. Once they reach adulthood, these winged termites fly away to find a mate and start a new colony. When they find the right spot, they lose their wings and become the new king and queen and the cycle starts over again.

Behavior, Diet, and Living Conditions of Termites

Okay, so now you know a lot about a termite colonies and how they function. Termites are very particular creatures and have very specific needs and tastes. For example, did you know that they are picky eaters? There are some types of wood that they won’t eat, and some of them are toxic to termites.

Another fun fact – termite farts affect climate change! No, really! They do! In fact, termite flatulence is a huge source of methane, and pound-for-pound, termites produce even more methane than cows!

Because each species is unique with its own quirks and habits, we’re going to dig deeper into the four most common that you might encounter in the United States.

Subterranean Termites

A quick note: there are several different types of subterranean termites in the US, but here we’re talking about Eastern subterranean termites. We’re going to talk more about Formosan termites in a few minutes.

The most common species of termites in the US is subterranean termites. Earlier, we mentioned that they are responsible for 80-95% of all termite damage (this includes both Eastern and Formosan subterranean termites). This is partly because a well-established colony can have thousands to millions of termites – one colony can cover one acre under a home or multiple homes. Subterranean termites are highly organized social insects that live in large colonies underground. Their behavior is fascinating and built around their need for moisture and food.

Subterranean termites’ bodies are delicate – if they are exposed to air, they begin to dry out and will eventually die. Because of this, they build mud tubes and maintain high humidity to keep them healthy. These mud tubes are made from tiny bits of soil, wood, and debris, all stuck together with their saliva. Depending on how many termites are using them, the tubes can be thin or thick, allowing lots of termites to move up and down between the soil and their food source.

Subterranean termites primarily consume cellulose, found in wood, leaves, and other plant material. But how do they find their food sources?

Subterranean termite workers are busy foragers, usually tunneling through the top 6 to 12 inches of soil in search of wood. They can smell wood from a distance and move around randomly until they find a good source. Once they find wood, they call in more workers and start to dig out tunnels, or galleries, to reach it. Inside the wood, they dig tunnels, eating along the grain and focusing on the softer parts. They’re great at hiding their damage, often leaving just a thin layer of wood on the outside, so it can be hard to spot them until it’s too late.

When these termites run into obstacles like rocks, concrete, or brick buildings they build those mud tubes we talked about to travel above ground. These mud tubes help them avoid drying out and protect them from predators like fire ants as they move around. Subterranean termites are also really good at finding tiny cracks and crevices to sneak into buildings, which makes it hard for people to spot them. This means that termite entry points can be hidden and tricky to detect, even for pros.

What Do Subterranean Termites Look Like?

Subterranean termites are a little tricky to spot because they spend most of their time hidden in soil or wood, but if you do get a glimpse, here’s what they look like:

Reproductive termites (King, Queen, and Alates/Swarmers):

• Queen: Largest termite in the colony.
• Alates (Swarmers): Dark brown to black bodies, about ¼ to ½ inch long, with translucent, slightly milky wings that may have tiny hairs. Their wings have two major veins with cross veins, making square and rectangular cells.
  • When do they swarm? During the day between February through May; they are not attracted to light, unlike their cousins, Formosan termites.
• Workers:
  • About ¼ inch or smaller.
  • Creamy white bodies with small jaws for chewing wood and moving materials.
  • No wings.
• Soldiers:
  • Creamy white bodies with darker, brownish heads.
  • Large mandibles for defense, with rectangular heads and flat, wide bodies.
  • No wings.

Think you might have Subterranean termites? What to Look For

If you think you might have a problem with subterranean termites, there are some key signs to watch for. These termites live underground and can cause serious damage to your home, so it’s important to keep an eye out. Here’s what to look for:

1. Mud Tubes: These termites build mud tubes to travel from the ground to your home. You might spot them on walls, foundations, or inside your house. They look like small, pencil-sized tubes made of dirt and saliva.
2. Wood Damage: Check for wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Subterranean termites eat the wood from the inside out, so the outside might look fine while the inside is being destroyed.
3. Frass (Termite Droppings): Look for small, wood-colored pellets around infested areas. This is termite poop, and it can indicate that they’ve been feeding nearby.
4. Swarming: In spring, you might see swarmers (winged termites) inside or around your home. These are a sign that a colony is nearby and may be looking to start new colonies.
5. Soft or Sagging Wood: If you notice wood that feels soft or looks like it’s sagging, that could mean termites have been munching on it.
6. Noise: Listen for clicking sounds within the walls. Worker termites make noise while chewing on wood, which can sometimes be heard if you’re quiet.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites are sneaky little insects that like to hang out in dry wood instead of in the ground or damp wood, which is where most other termites prefer to be. Drywood termites thrive in dry, hardwood materials. Unlike subterranean termites, they don’t need contact with soil, so they often infest furniture, framing, and other wooden structures in homes.

Drywood termites are like any other termite, in that they feed on cellulose, which is what wood is made of. Unlike many species though, drywood termites don’t go for soft, wet wood; they prefer to eat dry, seasoned wood. They often eat across the grain of the wood, which is extremely dangerous and damaging to structures. They’ve also been known to consume cardboard, insulation, drywall, and plant-based fibers like cotton, hemp, jute, and other natural fibers.

Another way that drywood termites are different from subterranean termites: Subterranean termites usually come from established colonies in the soil and attack buildings from below, while drywood termites enter structures as winged swarmers, or alates, during their mating season. They only need a small crack to get inside and start a new colony. This sneaky way of entering makes it tough to prevent drywood termite infestations. These swarmers typically appear in late summer or fall and can look like flying ants, so be on the lookout for them!

Drywood termites are quite clean when it comes to their homes. Since they live inside the wood they eat, their galleries don’t have any soil like subterranean termites. To keep things tidy, they push their droppings, called fecal pellets or frass, far away from where they eat. Sometimes, they even make tiny holes in the wood to push their waste outside.

When checking for drywood termites, look for these little piles of frass under infested wood, as finding them is a good sign that drywood termites might be nearby.

What Do Drywood Termites Look Like?

Drywood termite soldiers and workers tend to be larger than those in the Subterranean colonies and have a unique look that makes them easy to identify.

• Winged Swarmers (King, Queen, and Alates/Swarmers):
  • Queen: Largest termite in the colony.
  • King: Smaller than the queen, larger than workers and soldiers.
  • Alates (Swarmers): Long, translucent, slightly milky wings with tiny hairs. Their wings have three heavy veins that create trapezoidal cells, making them easily distinguishable from subterranean alates.
    • Can be mistaken for flying ants.
  • Swarming: Warm, dry evenings in late summer to early fall, usually August to November, depending on the location.
• Workers:
  • About 1/8 – 3/8 inch long
  • Thicker, more oval-shaped waist with short legs.
  • Cream colored to light brown
  • No wings
• Soldiers:
  • Light brown to tan.
  • Around 1/2 inch to 3/8 inch long.
  • Large mandibles that are dark brown to black.
  • Slender and slightly elongated.

Think you’ve got Drywood Termites? What to Look For

Because they live inside the wood they are excavating, drywood termites are hard to watch for. If you think you might have a drywood termite problem, there are a few key signs to look for:

• Fecal Pellets: One of the most telling signs of drywood termites is their droppings, known as frass. This looks like tiny pellets, similar to sawdust or coffee grounds, and you might find them under infested wood or near entry points.
• Small Holes in Wood: Look for tiny holes in wooden surfaces, which are entry points for the termites. These holes may not be very noticeable, but they can indicate that the termites are tunneling inside.
• Discarded Wings: During mating season, swarmers shed their wings. If you see piles of discarded wings around windowsills or other entry points, it could mean that drywood termites are nearby.
• Hollow-Sounding Wood: If you tap on wooden structures, listen for a hollow sound. This could mean that the termites have been eating away the wood from the inside.
• Visible Damage: Check for any visible damage to wooden structures, such as beams, furniture, or framing. The damage may not be apparent until it becomes severe, but signs of weakening or sagging wood can indicate a problem.

Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites are a unique type of termite that need more humidity and access to water compared to drywood termites. Unlike subterranean termites, they don’t search for food in the soil. They typically prefer to live in decaying or damp wood, such as logs, stumps, and wood that’s been exposed to moisture. This makes them common in areas with leaks, like basements or bathrooms, or in places where wood is in contact with water, like wooden structures close to the ground.

Their diet helps them thrive in their preferred habitats, which are generally coastal areas and forests, where humidity is higher. Dampwood termites require more moisture than other species to survive, making them less likely to invade buildings. You’re likely to find these pests in the subtropical woodlands, mangrove forests, and urban locations of the coastal peninsula of Florida and the Florida Keys.

Dampwood termites are social insects and live in colonies, but their colonies tend to be smaller than those of subterranean or drywood termites. They don’t build mud tubes and instead enter wood directly. Dampwood termites create chambers in wood that are connected by smooth tunnels. They cover their entry points with their feces.

Because dampwood termites live deep inside the wood, they can cause a lot of damage before being detected. The damage might not be as obvious at first because they don’t create mud tubes which would indicate their presence. Dampwood termite colonies are much smaller than most termite colonies, sometimes only growing into the thousands, rather than millions like subterranean termites.

During swarming season, alates leave their mature colonies to start new ones, which happens over a few months. For most dampwood termites, swarming happens in late spring or summer, but there are some that don’t swarm until late fall or early winter. They usually take off at dusk or at night. Dampwood termites are pretty strong fliers, and like many other bugs, they’re attracted to lights. Things like porch lights, indoor lights, and even computer screens can lure them inside, especially if windows and doors are left open without screens.

What Do Dampwood Termites Look Like?

Dampwood termites are larger than other types of termites and have unique physical characteristics depending on their caste. Here’s a breakdown of what each caste looks like:

• Winged Swarmers (King, Queen, and Alates/Swarmers):
  • Queen: Largest termite in the colony.
  • King: Smaller than the queen, larger than workers and soldiers.
  • Alates (Swarmers): Brownish or tan but can appear darker in some species.
    • Have two pair of wings that are all the same size and can be light brown to reddish brown.
    • They can be up to 1 inch long, including their wings, making them some of the largest termites.
  • Swarming Season: Usually at dusk or the evening during late summer to early fall, usually from August to October, depending on location.
• Workers:
  • About 1/4 – 5/8 inch long – the largest among termite species in the US.
  • Soft, straight body with broad waist.
  • Cream colored to pale yellow-brown.
  • No wings
• Soldiers:
  • Darker brown head, light colored body.
  • About the same size as workers, ¼ to 5/8 inch long.
• Their head is bigger than their body, with large, almost curved mandibles.

Think you have dampwood termites? What to Look For

Dampwood termites can cause damage to structures if they invade, so it’s important to address any moisture issues in your home to prevent them from taking hold. If you suspect a dampwood termite problem, look for signs like:

1. Wood Damage: Look for large, smooth galleries (tunnels) inside wooden structures. Another clue: soft, water-damaged, or hollow-sounding wood.
2. Swarmers: If you see a bunch of flying termites near lights, especially in the evening, it could mean you have dampwood termites. After they swarm, they drop their wings, so finding those around windows or lights is a sign of trouble.
3. Frass (Termite Poop): Dampwood termites often leave behind small piles of frass, which look like tiny pellets. Finding frass piles could be a sign that termites are nearby.
4. Moist Wood: Dampwood termites are attracted to wood with high moisture content. Check for areas with water damage, leaky pipes, or high humidity. These spots are prime targets for dampwood termites.
5. Warping or Discolored Wood: Moisture problems often lead to wood warping or changing color. If you notice this in your home, especially in areas prone to dampness, it’s worth checking for termite activity.

Formosan Termites

Remember how earlier, we talked about how subterranean termites are by far the most destructive? Well, it’s time to meet the MVP of subterranean pests – Formosan termites. These little guys are considered the most aggressive, economically devastating termite species in the US. That wasn’t always the case though.

Strangers in a Strange Land

See, Formosan termites aren’t native to the US. They were first described in the early 1900s on the island of Formosa, which is now Taiwan, and were most likely native to southern China. There is some evidence that they were transported to Japan before the 1600s and Hawaii in the late 1800s. We didn’t really see them in the mainland United States until the late 1950s. Entomologists’ best guess is that these termites got into wooden packing crates used by the U.S. military toward the end of World War II.

Since that time, Formosan termites have infested Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North and South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Most of the time, Formosan termites do not live north of 35 degrees latitude, which is about southern Virginia, because they can’t survive the cold winters.

Every year, Formosan termites are responsible for about $1 billion in damage to homes, utility poles, live trees, and other wooden structures. One way that they’ve been spreading is through recycled wood. Southern states have been strongly warned not to reuse lumber from old buildings in new projects, but it continues to be a problem. The main way these termites seem to be spreading is through old railroad ties used in landscaping and utility poles. Even though these materials are treated with chemicals, they don’t always reach the center. This leaves room for termites to hitch a ride and start new infestations elsewhere.

What’s the Big Deal?

Okay, so by now, you probably get the picture. Formosan termites are bad. But why are they so much worse than any other species. We’re so glad you asked!

As we said before, Formosan termites are subterranean, which means they live in large colonies that share interconnected tunnels in the soil. But these guys live in huge colonies – up to 10 times the size of native subterranean termites – where overlapping generations of termites live and work. The average Formosan termite colony has over 350,000 termites! These little pests are overachievers, breaking the mold and regularly building secondary, above-ground nests inside structures they infest. These aerial nests account for about 25% of structural infestations in Florida and close to 50% of high-rise structures in Hawaii!

Another reason Formosan termites are so formidable is that they cause damage much faster than native subterranean termites. That’s because they will attack anything and anyone. They’re not picky eaters and will munch on almost anything in their path! They’ve been known to feed on non-cellulose materials like thin sheets of lead or copper, asphalt, plaster, rubber, and plastic. Plus, there are simply many more of them, which makes the problem even worse!

And if that’s not enough to cause alarm, here’s one more fun fact for you: Formosan termites have built up a strong tolerance to the chemicals that are in most liquid termiticides and wood treatment products. Formosan termites are so good at tunneling and making their galleries that they don’t come into contact with soil termiticides as often as other termites.

This is why, at Fox Pest Control, we use Sentricon bait stations to stop termite colonies and keep them away from your home. Here’s how it works: while constantly foraging for food, worker termites find the bait that stays year-round in the Sentricon® stations. Studies show that termites prefer our bait over 10 times more than wood! Then, they share it with the queen and other colony members. Sentricon® stops the process of molting, which ultimately affects the queen and reproduction and kills the workers. The colony then crumbles and is eliminated.

What do Formosan Termites Look Like?

Okay, so how can you tell a Formosan termite from any other termite? They have the typical caste system (reproductives, workers, and soldiers), but some of them look a little different from their cousins, native subterranean termites.

• Reproductives (Swarmers/Alates):
  • Yellowish-brown
  • Larger than native subterranean swarmers, usually about ¾ to 1 inch including the wings.
  • Two pair of wings that are longer than their bodies; translucent with a yellow-ish tint.
  • Swarming Season: Formosans swarm at night in late May or early June and are attracted to light. Native termites swarm during the day between February and March and are not attracted to light
• Workers: White to off-white, similar to other termite species.
• Soldiers:
  • Head Shape: Teardrop or egg-shaped (compared to the rectangular head of native subterranean termites).
  • Aggression: More aggressive, releasing a defensive, glue-like secretion when threatened.
  • Colony Ratio: Formosan colonies have 15-20% soldiers, compared to only 1-3% in native subterranean colonies.

Think you might have Formosan termites? What to Look For

Spotting a Formosan termite infestation early can help prevent serious damage. The signs are similar to any subterranean termite. Here are some signs to watch out for:

1. Mud Tubes: Formosan termites build mud tubes to travel from their nests to food sources. These tubes are usually found on foundation walls, along baseboards, or even in attics.
2. Swarmers: During spring and summer, Formosan termites swarm, especially after rain. If you see a bunch of winged termites (swarmers) flying around your home, that’s a big warning sign. You might also find piles of discarded wings near windows, doors, or light sources.
3. Damaged Wood: Termites eat wood from the inside out, so if you notice wood that sounds hollow when tapped or is easily damaged, it could be a sign of termites. Formosan termites create large galleries inside the wood, so structural damage can happen quickly.
4. Moisture Issues: Formosan termites need moisture to survive, so they often infest areas with leaks or high humidity. If you notice water damage or mold in your walls, it could attract termites.
5. Bubbling Paint or Peeling Wallpaper: Since termites tunnel just below the surface, this can cause paint or wallpaper to look bubbled or peeled as the termites chew away underneath.

Formosan termites are a force to be reckoned with, and one that is best left to termite pest control professionals. Fox Pest Control has the expertise and the right tools to take care of any termite problem and protect your home.

Mistaken Identities

Remember how we said that reproductive termites will sprout wings, find a mate, and a new location for their colony? Well, some ants do the same thing, and it can be confusing to know if the winged insect is a termite or an ant. Here are a few key differences:

• Body Shape
  • Winged Termites: They have a more uniform, straight, and broad body without a noticeable waist. Their abdomen is almost one solid line.
  • Winged Ants: They have a distinct narrow waist between the thorax and abdomen, making them look “pinched” or segmented.
• Antennae
  • Winged Termites: Straight antennae that look more like tiny beads.
  • Winged Ants: Elbowed or bent antennae, which look almost like the shape of a boomerang.
• Wings
  • Winged Termites: Both pairs of wings are equal in size and longer than the body, giving them a rectangular, almost boat-like appearance.
  • Winged Ants: The front wings are noticeably longer than the hind wings, and they tend to have a more triangular, asymmetrical shape when folded.
• Color
  • Winged Termites: Generally light or dark brown.
  • Winged Ants: Usually dark brown or black, though some ant species can vary in color.
• Swarming Differences
  • Winged Termites: Most species, like subterranean termites, swarm in spring, especially after rainfall. However, drywood termites tend to swarm late summer or early fall.
  • Winged Ants: Ants can swarm in the late spring and early summer but are highly influenced by environmental factors like temperature and rainfall, so swarming can happen in warmer months and milder climates.

You don’t really want to see either one around your house, but it’s definitely more of a problem if it’s termites. The damage they can do can be costly and overwhelming. There are some key differences, which you can see below, but if you see swarms of winged insects, it’s probably a good idea to call Fox right away. We’ll take care of whatever is trying to take over your home!

How Do Termites Communicate?

Did you know that termites are blind? Kind of crazy to think that an insect that can tunnel through wood and cause such damage can’t even see where they’re going! They’ve got their own amazing system of communication, and it’s highly effective!

1. Pheromones, or chemical signals. Termites use special chemicals called pheromones to send messages. For example, they leave a trail of pheromones to lead others to food, or to signal danger. These invisible signals help termites stay organized.
2. Touch. Termites often communicate by touching each other. Since they don’t rely on sight, they tap their antennae or bodies together to share information, like identifying each other or passing along food.
3. Vibrations. When termites feel threatened, they bang their heads against the walls of their tunnels to make vibrations. This warns other termites to get ready for danger or to run away.

Pretty cool, right? Using these tricks, termites stay in sync and work as a team, even though they can’t see or talk!

What You Can Do About Termites

So, you saw the signs, and you know you’ve got termites. Or, you don’t see any signs but want to make sure you don’t have a neon sign advertising a vacancy for them to move in. We have some great tips to help make your home less inviting to these pesky insects.

1. Reduce Moisture: Make sure you don’t have any leaks in your plumbing, roof, or gutters. Fix any leaks quickly and use dehumidifiers in places like basements or crawl spaces to keep things dry.
2. Keep Wood Away from Your Home: Don’t stack firewood or wood debris against your house. Also, avoid using wood mulch right next to your home’s foundation. Keep woodpiles at least 20 feet away from your home.
3. Seal Cracks and Gaps: Check your home for cracks in the foundation or gaps around windows and doors, and seal them up.
4. Use Treated Wood: When building or repairing your home, use termite-resistant or pressure-treated wood. This type of wood is less attractive to termites and helps prevent infestations.
5. Remove Dead Trees and Stumps: Get rid of dead trees, old stumps, or fallen branches in your yard. This reduces the chance of termites finding a food source close to your home.

Taking these steps can make your home less appealing to termites and help keep them from moving in!

How Do I Get Rid of Termites?

What if you’ve done all the things and you still have a termite problem? That’s when it’s time to call Fox Pest Control. We know all about termites and what to do to get rid of them. When you combine the tips above with our Termite Defense Plan, you get protection 24/7/365 days a year.

We’ll help you spot entrance points, unsealed areas, and potential issues causing the infestation. Our termite exterminators get regular, on-the-ground training and know how to deal with your termite problem. You can count on Fox to give you peace of mind and help you feel comfortable and safe in your home. Are you ready to keep termites out? Call us today!