As the weather warms, experts are warning homeowners to be on guard against a common insect wreaking havoc on properties across the country.
Known as “silent destroyers,” termites chew through wood and floors, causing more than $15 billion in damage each year.
And this is all the more alarming since damage is not always covered by homeowners insurance policies, according to pest world.
There are approximately 45 different types of termites found in the country, which are divided into three categories: underground, dry wood and wet wood.
Each has its own biology and behavior, including where they build their nest, where they are most likely to be found, and in what state they are most common.
But typically the creatures tend to be found in warm, humid places, and the peak season is usually during the spring and summer months.
Here experts share their best tips to help keep your home safe.
A pest control specialist is seen fumigating the exterior of a house.
Termites are also found in cabinets and under the sink.
Termites are so small that the human eye cannot always see them.
Focus areas tend to include attics, basements, crawl spaces, cracks or holes in walls. They are also often found in cardboard boxes and shopping bags, electrical cords, under sinks and in cabinets.
The most destructive are subterranean termites. About one-eighth long and dark brown or black in color, these bugs build tunnels, and their saw-toothed jaws make it easy to chew through wood.
Over time, they can completely destroy the structure of a home and are found in every state in the United States except Alaska. These termites are usually the most studied and reported.
Drywood termites, on the other hand, are winged and about an inch long, and are white or brown in color. They can be found in the structure of a home, but they primarily delight in furniture, picture frames, and railings.
These are prevalent on the west coast, Florida, and Hawaii, but are known to appear in the Carolinas and Texas.
Dampwood termites are attracted to moisture and, as their name suggests, usually appear in damp areas. They are larger in size than their counterparts and are found primarily on the Pacific coast and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid southwest, and southern Florida.
The winged varieties, known as swarms, are the reproductive member of a termite colony, and experts explain that when they come to the surface it usually means there is an infestation.
There are approximately 45 different types of termites in the country, but they fall into three distinct categories: subterranean termites, drywood termites, and wetwood termites.
To help homeowners stay alert, pest control specialists have shared helpful tips.
These include sealing cracks or crevices with caulk or foam caulk, especially at entry points into the home.
It is also recommended to keep wood off the floor, with any wood paneling or door frames placed above the floor.
Signs of damaged or hollow wood, bubbling paint, stuck doors or windows can be a telltale sign that termites have entered your home.
Borat is a low-toxic chemical that preserves and protects wood and can act as a barrier to prevent or minimize termites.
Other ways to protect yourself from these critters is to keep the foundation of your home dry and check for leaks. Downspouts should be directed away from the foundation.
Homeowners are advised to avoid stacking firewood against the house and covering wood supplies that must remain outside.
Cleaning up after yard and garden work is also key.
Mulch, a layer of material added to soil, is also a place termites like to live, so experts say stone or gravel may be a better choice when it comes to landscaping.
They also recommend keeping the grass short and moving any bushes, vines, stumps or roots away from the exterior wall and foundation of the house to minimize future termite infestations.
A closeup of termites gathering on a slab of wood.
Experts recommend keeping the grass short and moving shrubs away from the exterior wall of the house, which can minimize any future termite infestation.
Some experts explain that not all termite infestations are the same, so calling a specialist may be justified depending on the severity of the damage.
After an evaluation, an expert can treat termites with a number of techniques including baiting, soil and barrier treatments, and fumigation.
In Louisiana, Adam Howington, owner of Parish Pest Control, said Proud he is seeing a lot Formous termites. These colonies produce swarms of winged males and females called reproductives.
Reproductive termites are essential to keeping the termite colony in production and without them it will eventually collapse.
He told the media outlet that Houses are termite magnets or not, and certain elements attract them. It can be as simple as a leaky faucet or moisture buildup outside the exterior of the house.
“It’s attractive to termites because all they really need is wood, water and shelter and they’re ready to roll,” Howington said.