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There are three main types of termites: drywood, dampwood and subterranean. Every type of termite colony includes employees (who eat your house), soldiers (who defend others from predators such as ants) and swarmers (flyers that find new places to colonize). Though 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 red head. Swarmers have sheer, tan wings although there are colour variations. Employees are light, 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 employees also resemble maggots.

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

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

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

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

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

Be mindful of maintaining your exterior paint. As an example, when you hammer Christmas lights then take the nails out, you leave behind little holes and produce an open door for a termite colony. .

Subterranean termites often seep into cracks in the homes foundation. In regions like the San Francisco Bay Area, a lot homes have increased foundations, Wilson states. Termites build mud tubes around the bottom floor, often along posts. But even in the absence of articles, Wilson sayssand tubes can stretch from the ground up through thin atmosphere to connect with the base of the home. .

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So what do you do if you find a termite Get the facts in your home when you see one drop wing or one termite flying by, it doesnt mean you have an infestation. But if you find a group of wings or any of the other warning signs noted above, its best to find a professional inspection.

Termites are actually simple to kill, Wilson says, but you need a termiticide to do it. Unfortunately, good pesticides are not readily available to my sources the public. Most home shops promote termite spray, but those are watered down to meet public safety specifications, so theyre not as effective.

In case you have an infestation that is isolated to one part of your home, say the door trim, you can substitute the trimming, Wilson says. But in case you have a full-on termite infestation, you need a bigger scale treatment.

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Subterranean termites have to be cut away from the home at the ground. Pacific Coast Termites makes a chemical barrier between any areas of grime and the house, in addition to around the entire home. It acts as a shield that the termites cant break through.

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

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

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Employ an excellent, quality coating of paint on your house, since termites wont consume through paint. Ensure that all windows, doorframes and foundation openings are caulked and sealed. Dont basic or nail up Christmas lights then yank them down. Even the tiny holes create termite homes. Instead, either leave the nails in the holes year-round or fill the holes when you remove the nails. .

Quickly resolve any plumbing leaks, standing water on your roof or other issues involving decaying wood. Provide appropriate Continued ventilation under your elevated home to keep that area dry. Subterranean termites love wetness.