Termite Species In Humboldt County
Subterranean Termites
The Subterranean termite is the most common termite species in Humboldt and the United States. Subterranean termites can measure up to 1/4 of an inch in length. These termites live in colonies, with certain termites playing specific roles to help the colony thrive.
The worker termite has no wings and is light in color. Their job is to damage wood. The soldier termite has a longer head with mandibles. Their job is to protect the colony. Lastly, there are the primary reproductive termites, or swarmers. These are the termites homeowners will most likely see in the home. Swarmers have wings and are darker than other termites in the colony. Swarmers are commonly confused with ants.
Subterranean termites make their colonies underground, sometimes housing up to one million termites at a time. Subterranean termites depend on a moisture-rich environment to survive. Worker termites will build mud tubes toward structural wood so that they can eat at it and take food back to their colony. You may be able to spot mud tubes in crawl spaces, going up foundation walls or on pier blocks.
Drywood Termites
A Drywood termite species can measure 1/2 of an inch long. They create colonies inside of wood that can house as many as 3,000 members! Unlike Subterranean termites, Drywood termites need very little moisture to survive.
Drywood termites start eating wood from the inside-out. They eat across the grain to create hollow chambers inside the wood, known as galleries. Once a gallery is created, other Drywood termites are able to move in and live inside the wood. Having termites within wooden structures will cause damage over time.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites range in size between 1/8 to 1/3 of an inch long. Their bodies are a white cream color with darker colored abdomens. Dampwood termites can make colonies of up to 4,000 termites.
This termite species does not require contact with soil. However, the wood they infest must have a high moisture content. They will infest almost any kind of wood and can tolerate a very high-level of moisture.
Termite Control Service For Your Home & Office
When it comes to termite control, 707 Pest Solutions believes that prevention is the the best protection. Studies show that termites can cause over $5 billion in damage in the U.S. each year, on average. Often times, termite damage is not covered through homeowners insurance. Termites start eating wood within a home’s structure and work from the inside out. If you visibly see external termite damage, there’s likely an infestation within your walls. Likewise, there may be internal structural damage present without any signs of external damage.
Hiring a professional termite control company will jump-start your building’s defense against termite damage. Your house or office is one of your largest investments – protect it today with the help of 707 Pest Solutions.