Termite Identification & Prevention

What are termites?

Termites are wood-destroying insects that live in large social colonies. These wood-destroying insects feed primarily on decaying plants, tree stumps, fallen trees, and similar items containing cellulose, such as the wood of homes and businesses. Termite colonies split into three main castes: soldiers, workers, and reproductives.

Within the termite colony, worker termites make up the vast majority of its members. These workers forage for cellulose, a material most commonly found in wood, and once they find a steady source of cellulose, they will harvest it and store it in their guts, where it turns into simple molecules used to feed their colony.

Here in California, there are three major termites to look out for, drywood termites, dampwood termites, and the most common, subterranean termites.

Are termites dangerous?

Termites are considered dangerous pests, but not in the way that most other pests are deemed dangerous. They don't bite or sting and cannot transmit harmful diseases. Instead, termite threats comes from structural damages to homes, businesses, and other buildings. When termites invade homes, they invade the structural wood. Given enough time, this can lead to massive and irreparable damages like dipping ceilings, bubbling paint, and bowing walls.

Why do I have a termite problem?

Termites are drawn to properties due to the presence of cellulose in the form of fallen trees, stumps, leaf debris, woodpiles, fences, wooden outbuildings, or our homes themselves. When choosing where to establish their colonies, scouting termite workers or winged, reproductive termites called swarmers will search the properties they invade for adequate food sources. Different species of termites are drawn in by different things. Hence their name, drywood termites will search out dry, hardwood to feed on, which they find within homes in the form of floors, structural timbers, or furniture. Subterranean termites and dampwood termites, on the other hand, are drawn to sources of water-damaged and often rotting wood. However, no matter what type of wood they prefer to feed on, all of these termites pose a significant threat to your home.

Where are termites commonly found?

Termites can be found living in colonies or tunneling inside wooden structures. However, despite common belief, some termites don't live inside the homes and businesses they invade. Instead, subterranean termites typically build their colonies deep underground and forage outward for food. Drywood and dampwood termites, on the other hand, build their homes right within the wood they have infested; drywood termites in dry wood and dampwood termites in damp wood.

How do I get rid of termites?

If termites have built a colony in or around your home, your best and only option to get rid of them is by calling the professionals. Here at Accurate Termite & Pest Solutions, we offer termite elimination and prevention in the form of Sentricon®, a long-lasting and efficient baiting system used to eliminate all termites on your property and keep future termites from invading. If you have any questions about our services or would like to schedule your free inspection, reach out to us today!