Termites are well known for their affinity for wood, and their ability to eat through and wreak havoc inside your home. To avoid the nightmare that is a termite infestation, keeping them out of your home should be the main objective, and getting to know a little bit about the different groups of termites and where they live can help.
Where do termites live in Bartlesville, OK? Follow along with this guide to find out if termites live above ground or underground, and how they can make their way from their habitats into your home.
Subterranean termites
Do termites live underground? In some cases, yes! Although subterranean termites make their homes underground, they feed on wood sources both below and above the ground. Using mud tubes that the worker termites of the colony construct, the insects make their way up the tunnels in search of their food supply. Because subterranean termites are susceptible to dehydration when away from their moist underground environment, only the worker termites go in search of food to bring back to the rest of the colony. Subterranean termites are among the most common type of termites, but they are difficult to locate because they reside underground, and their mud tubes are usually hidden.
Dampwood termites
Whether wood is damp from rain showers or a nearby leak, dampwood termites thrive on decaying wood that is perpetually wet. While they are less likely to take up residence in your home, if your house is particularly waterlogged or prone to retaining dampness, these termites could eventually find their way inside. Wood that has direct contact with the ground—such as a fallen log, stacks of lumber that have been left outside in the rain or piles of damp branches—can attract these pests, so be sure to avoid leaving any of these items near the perimeter of your home.
Drywood termites
The drywood termite’s outer skeleton is less permeable than that of other termite groups, which allows it to adapt to life in dryer habitats. Because these termites hold on to more moisture, and are able to reabsorb the moisture contained in their feces, drywood termites can thrive in undamaged, non-decaying wood sources. If they make their way into your home, drywood termites can be found in the wood framing of doors and furniture, the attic and your house’s siding.
Termites can live both above ground and underground in Bartlesville, OK, and because these infestations can quickly get out of hand, it is best to proactively keep your property protected. In addition to maintaining the moisture and humidity levels in your house, as well as removing all of the damp wood sources on the exterior of your home in a timely manner, termite control services from Excellence Pest Control can help serve as your most important line of defense against these destructive pests.
If you are too late and an infestation has already occurred, our expert team can also handle termite invasions large and small, to quickly and effectively eliminate their presence in your home. Whether you are battling an active infestation or you want to make sure termites never find their way inside your house, be sure to give us a call to schedule a consultation right away.