Signs Your Wood Structure May Have Termites

Termites are those pesky critters that will literally eat you out of the house and home. They are anywhere from an eighth of an inch to a half inch in length, but a colony of 200,000 workers can eat 56 ounces or 3.5 pounds of wood a day. That means if your house is infested with 200,000 workers, they will eat an eight foot 2 x 4 in about 3 days. However, the average size colony is about 60,000 termites. The average size colony will eat an 8 foot 2 x 4 in about three to six months. It is wise for property owners to inspect their structures periodically for any signs of termites. There are a few visual signs that are a tip off they might be present.

Termites are extremely environmental. They recycle dead wood back into the ground leaving their dust trails to compost into the soil. They are not terribly environmental when they attack a house and try to do the same. They are diminutive in size, but in colonies, they are extraordinarily destructive. Subterranean and dry wood termites are more likely to take up residence in a house and begin eating. In the spring, and create clouds of flying swarms when they mate. They look like flying ants with double wings, but the termite wings are both the same length while the flying ant has a short and long pair of wings.

Subterranean termite's cohabitate under and other hard to get at places while they breed. They build mud tunnels to provide needed moisture and travel safely to the nearest source of wood for dinner. Look for pencil thin tunnels especially along concrete walls. If you see them in your basement or crawl space, chances are termites are present. Also, look for blistering of wood that appears to be hollowed out. If the wood cracks or is easily punctured, the hungry critters have done a terrific job hollowing it out. If you tap on the wood and it seems hollow, it probably is, and chances are it has already been digested.

A sign your structure might have been inhabited by dry wood termites is forms of tiny sand like grains of wood found in piles around window sills, wood posts, stumps or cracks or joints around woodwork. The piles are actually termite fecal matter of the digested wood. Termites may also be seen during their flying periods and remnants of shed wings or wing parts will be found around the house.

Stewart Wrighter recently found himself infested with termites and searched for natural termite treatments to solve his problem. He discovered that termites should be treated by professionals.