How to Treat Termites
Termites might be secretly infesting a house without being noticed by the homeowners. Pest Management Professionals, however, are trained to determine several signs of termite infestation. These people know where to specifically look for these signs and are able to assess the severity of the infestation by means of careful observation.
Detecting the presence of termite activity is one thing, looking for their nest is a totally different procedure. This would require lots of work, searching and tracing. People sometimes even fail to really get to where these termites reproduce and nurse their larvae. Where do termites live? What made them choose such places to build their colonies? What are the conditions necessary in maintaining a colony or nest?
Answering the question “Where do termites live?” is relatively easy. Generally, termites live on pieces of wood and underground. Determining their exact location in your house or property, however, is quite difficult and you need to consult experts in order to come up with a full-proof termite management and eradication program.
Subterranean termites live on top of soil, which makes this species easier to spot. These termites use mud tubes to connect their nests to their food sources. This provides an ideal transportation system - especially since they lack eyesight and have to rely on other senses. These pathways also serve as a way to protect them against natural enemies such as ants.
Where do termites live besides underground? Termites also thrive well in dry wood. Such choice of habitat gave them the name drywood termites. These organisms live in the same place where they get their nutrition. Signs of their nesting activity include leaks, holes and cracks on wood portions of the house such as posts, doors, and flooring. Decayed wood, timber and tree trunks in the yard are also appealing places for drywood termites. Decayed wood is easy to digest and contains fungi that are also good sources of nitrogen for termites.
Where do termites live? What makes these places ideal environment for colony formation? Termites prefer an environment with adequate moisture content or where there is an adjacent water source. Places that provide them protection from extreme weather conditions and secure them from their natural enemies like the ants are ideal niches.
Remember that termite activity is at its lowest in the winter. However, due to global warming and termite intellect guiding them for a perfect habitat, some termites can continue to feast on your property throughout the winter. You can use this knowledge that has been presented to inspect your property. If you are having trouble, feel free to consult a professional and seek their advice.