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There are 3 main forms of termites: drywood, dampwood and subterranean. Every kind of termite colony includes employees (who consume your house), soldiers (who defend others from predators such as ants) and swarmers (flyers who find new areas to colonize). Although you dont generally see termites unless theyre swarming (flying), its great to know how to identify them,'' Wilson says.

Drywood termites commonly possess a brown body with a reddish head. Swarmers have sheer, tan wings but there are color variations. Employees are pale, tan and look like maggots, with no wings.

Dampwood termites are similar to drywood termites, often with a tan or brown body and sheer wings. These workers also resemble maggots.

Subterranean termites are somewhat smaller than their above-ground brethren with black bodies and sheer wings to the flyers. The workers are smaller, white and maggot-like.

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Drywood termites are partial to dry, nondecayed wood and often end up in attics, flooring boards and window frames.

Dampwood termites like decaying wood or timber that's loaded with moisture. They often strike wood that's making contact with the ground and are found in areas with high rainfall or humidity.

Subterranean termites will consume soft (moisture-rich) timber and drywood, however they initially make contact with your home through the ground.

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Drywood and dampwood termites enter your home through small cracks, often around window frames throughout cracks in the home. Be sure to check around windows regularly and reapply caulk when it begins to show signs of age and cracking. Swarmers shed their wings and float into the wood. Cracks in paint are another easy access point for termites.

Be mindful of maintaining your exterior paint. For instance, when you hammer up Christmas lights then take the nails out, you leave behind small holes and create an open doorway for a termite colony. .

Subterranean termites often seep into cracks in the homes foundation. In regions like the San Francisco Bay Area, many homes have raised foundations, Wilson says. Termites build mud tubes around the floor, often along posts. But even in the absence of articles, Wilson says, mud tubes can extend from the ground up through thin air to connect with the bottom of the home. .

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So what can you do if you find a termite in your home If you see one shed wing or one termite flying , it doesnt mean you've got an infestation. But if you see a group of shed wings or any of the other warning signs noted above, its best to get a professional inspection.

Termites are actually simple to kill,'' Wilson states, but you need a termiticide to do it. Unfortunately, good pesticides are not available to the general public. Most home shops promote termite spray, but these are watered down to meet public security specifications, so theyre not as effective.

If you've got an infestation that is isolated to one part of your home, say the door trim, you can replace the trim, Wilson says. But if you have a full-on termite infestation, you need a larger scale treatment.

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Subterranean termites have to be cut off from the house at the soil. Pacific Coast Termites creates a chemical barrier between any regions of grime and the house, in addition to around the entire house. It acts as a shield the termites cant break through.

Drywood and dampwood termites can be murdered with click for info a wood treatment product like XT2000 Orange Oil, which is injected under pressure into the wood through ink-pen-sized holes. This product saturates the timber and will prevent future infestations. Treating a moderate infestation this way takes approximately four to six hours.

Homes which are massively infested (you can see termites everywhere) can require fumigation. Either a huge tent is placed over your house, or all the doors and windows are sealed, and the residence is gassed with pesticide that will kill each of the termites. This process can take anywhere from six hours to one week, depending on the kind of infestation.

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Employ a good, quality coat of exterior paint on your house, since termites wont eat through paint. Ensure that all windows, doorframes and foundation gaps are caulked and sealed. Dont staple or nail up Christmas lights then pull them down. The tiny holes make termite homes. Instead, either abandon the nails in the pockets year-round or check that fill out the holes when you eliminate the nails. .

Instantly solve any plumbing leaks, standing water on your roof or other issues involving decaying wood. Provide proper ventilation under your elevated home to maintain that region dry. Subterranean termites adore wetness.