What is a termite?
There are three main varieties of termites: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood. Subterranean termites live in the soil and are willing to tunnel dozens of meters just to find wood to feed on. Drywood termites are more commonly found in the southern United States and, like their namesake, prefer dry wood (unlike most of their kin). Finally, dampwood termites are larger and can only survive in moist, humid environments. They can live within wood and plug up holes to preserve moisture. This can make them difficult to notice.
Physically, these three varieties of termite look fairly similar. They have thick waists, straight antennae, and short legs. Their size is between 1/4 of an inch to about 3/8 of an inch, and their coloring varies in shade from light cream to darker black-brown depending on their role in the colony they live in.
Are termites dangerous?
Termites can be dangerous, yes. They could bite but unlike many other pests, they are not toxic. They’re also not known to carry diseases that can cause damage to humans. The biggest danger they present, however, is the damage they can cause to home furnishings and infrastructure. An especially difficult termite infestation can gut an entire home before the homeowners are even aware, which is not only incredibly costly but dangerous as well.
Why do I have termites?
Termites are drawn in by the same things that draw other wood-boring insects: access to wood, especially kinds that are moist and unfinished or untreated. Leaky pipes, lack of drainage, and other moisture inducing situations attract termites. They also love wood that’s in contact with the foundations of your home or business so they can travel from underground burrows up and into the wood without as much difficulty. Termites will consume anything that contains cellulose. This includes paper, materials made with cotton, drywall paper, and anything made with wood.
Termite infestations are something that needs to be taken especially seriously because they cause damage totaling upwards of $5 billion per year, and most insurance plans don’t cover treatment or repairs due to termites.
How can I prevent termites?
Termites are an especially tricky pest to prevent, but don’t worry – there are steps you can take to keep them away from and out of your home or business.
The first thing you need to do to prevent termites is to become aware of the places they are most likely to use to get inside your home or business. Places such as expansion joints and other cracks and openings in the foundation. You also need to look for other potential food sources of termites. Especially where there is moisture. Reducing and eliminating sources of moisture is an important part of termite prevention.
How can Gregory Pest remove termites from my home or business?
Gregory Pest offers a few specific and expertly delivered ways to keep termites out of your home.
Sentricon Colony Elimination System®
For the ultimate in eco-friendly termite treatment, choose Sentricon®. This system uses the Sentricon® system with Always Active™ by providing a protective barrier of bait stations around your home or business. With our ongoing professional monitoring, you can have year-round guaranteed protection. Sentricon is available only through qualified Certified Sentricon Specialists™, which in turn means guaranteed expertise and quality assurance. Here at Gregory Pest, we have Certified Sentricon Specialists that receive ongoing training, education, and support from Sentricon to keep us as leaders in termite protection.
Termidor® Insecticide-Termiticide
For superior performance in liquid termite extermination, look no further than Termidor®. The unique chemical formula comes with a long term warranty and delivers results every time, allowing you to get back to life without termites. You can speak to one of our termite exterminators about complete pest extermination and treatment – and which solution is best for your home or business.
Where can I get help with termites?
Gregory Pest Solutions is located throughout most of the southeastern United States. Our trained, expert technicians in South Carolina are ready and eager to answer any of your local pest control needs. Give us a call any time you’re facing a pest problem.
Pests don’t have to interrupt your life. Give the team at Gregory Pest Solutions a call. We’ll help you get things back in order quickly and efficiently.
