Would you be surprised if we told you that termites cause more than a billion dollars in damage every year in the US and can even lead to major structural damage?

Most people are completely oblivious to the numerous types of termites, the long-term effects of their presence in the home, and how they grow and reproduce.

Termites, are also popularly known as silent destroyers, are the quintessential problem that you don’t notice until it’s too late.

Hidden in the dirt under your home, they can eat through the wood in a very short time, damaging your home’s foundation.

If you care for your valuable property, investing in termite protection is a great option.

But before that, it’s best to learn about how termites attack.

What Happens When Termite Attack?

Termites are always looking for food and water. Your home provides both things, making it a prime target for termites.

Termites are naturally blind and don’t have a great sense of taste or smell, so they have to crawl around by feeling until they find something that tastes like food.

There are two main types of termites: Subterranean and Drywood.

• Subterranean termitesobtain moisture from the soil and build tunnels through which they travel to reach above-ground sources of food (structures).
• Drywood termiteslive in undecayed wood with low moisture content. Their nests may be found above ground or in infested wood.
  

These tiny insects usually enter structures through cracks in foundations or where pipes and wires go into a building. Since they like to stay hidden and out of sight, they’ll often hide in dark, damp places like under a pile of rotting wood or inside a wall cavity.

Once inside, they start looking for wood, cardboard, or paper—anything made of cellulose—which they can chew up and digest. If they find it, they set up camp and start eating it non-stop until it’s too late.

The three main stages of a termite attack are:

1. Incubation

The incubation stage is the time it takes for the eggs to hatch into larvae. This period can be as short as one month or last for several years, depending on the species of termite involved.

2. Colonization

After hatching, the larvae feed and develop into workers, soldiers, or reproductive (kings and queens). Colonies often have millions of members in them, depending on their age and size.

3. Destruction

During this stage, worker termites will have become fully established in your house. They find wood and begin eating it immediately, causing serious structural damage as they expand their nest within your walls or foundation.

What Is The Best Termite Treatment?

Getting immediate professional termite treatment is the best way to eliminate termite colonies by targeting worker termites that forage in the soil for food sources or wood that touches or is in contact with the ground. If a nest is found close to your home, it may be necessary for us to treat it by trenching near it and applying bait to eliminate it.

At Xterminator Pest Control, we use liquid treatments that are long-lasting, effective, and environmentally friendly. We also offer termite inspection and termite prevention services in Columbus, Ohio.

Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment or visit our website for more information about our residential exterminator services.