Termites may be secretly hiding and thriving in your home or garden without any immediate signs of damage, which is why they are often called “silent destroyers”. Unfortunately, all homes, regardless of construction type, are composed of cellulose-based plant materials which is the main food source termites consume.
Types
Los Baños Termite
(Microcerotermes Losbanosensis)
- smaller in size than coptotermes species
- very sensitive
- got its name from area where it was discovered
- mud tubes & secondary mound may be suspended from the ceiling
- mud tubes are very narrow
Mound Building Termite
(Macrotermes Gilvus)
- mostly on garden
- considered as large species
- darker in color (abdominal part)
- mud tubes are very broad and scattered
- builds mounds
Philippine Milk Termite
(Coptotermes Vastator)
- workers are white in color
- soldiers secrets white substance (latex)
- considered as the most destructive of all the Philippine termite species
- mud tubes are seldom observed
- “honeycomb” infestation – eats along the grains of the wood
Luzon Point Headed Termite
(Nasutitermes Luzonicus)
- dark in color
- pointed head
- no mandibles (soldiers)
- feeds on sap woods
- secondary mound are arboreal in nature
- mud tubes are narrow
Entry
Subterranean termite homes are usually formed in soil. Within these mounds, termites build elaborate tunnel systems and mud tunnels through which they access above-ground food sources. Drywood termites live within the wood they consume and oftentimes infest walls and furniture.
Ideal Environment
Termites are often called the “silent destroyer” because they may be secretly hiding and thriving in your home or yard without any immediate signs of damage. All termites consume cellulose-based plant materials.
Reproduction
When a colony has matured, winged, swarming termites can be seen around windows and doors. Winged termites are highly attracted to sources of light and are most active in springtime. After mating, these termites locate a new breeding site and create another colony, spreading infestations throughout multiple locations in the case of drywood termites.
Allergies/Illness
Heating and ventilation systems can create exposure to dust and particulates from termites and termite nests causing severe allergic reactions or asthmatic attacks.
“Band-Aid” Solution
In order to effectively increase progress of Pest-Away’s termite treatment, each home must try to eliminate any moisture problem such as leaking water pipes or air conditioners, stale water on roof, gutter and downspouts. Termites can also be prevented by taking away it’s food sources by avoiding wood contact with soil, putting screens on outside vents, and getting rid of stumps and debris near the house.
Signs of Infestation
Termite detection can easily be noticed by checking for any of the following: mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams or crawl spaces, discarded wings from swarmer-termites, hallow sounding wood when tapped, and temporary swarm of winged insects.
Homeowners will spend thousands or even millions due to termite damage. Detecting a termite infestation in its early stages can help save you expensive home repair costs. Pest-Away offers monthly monitoring that have an immediate on call response team once you detect a termite infestation.