Termites | Pest Control | Parkersburg WV, Marietta & Athens OH

Termite Detail

Types of Termites

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean Termites (Family Rhinotermitidae)

The best method of subterranean termite control is to avoid water accumulation near the foundation of the home. Prevent subterranean termite access by diverting water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the home, and keep mulch at least 15 inches from the foundation. Indoors, homeowners should reduce humidity through proper ventilation of crawl spaces, attics and basements to avoid attracting subterranean termite swarms.

Elite Pest Management, LLC-Bed Bug and Termite Services

Color

Creamy white to dark brown/black

Legs	6
Antennae	Yes
Region	Found throughout the U.S.

Shape

Long, narrow and oval

Size

1/8 inch long

Habits

Subterranean termites build distinctive tunnels, often referred to as “mud tubes,” to reach food sources and protect themselves from open air. They use their scissor-like jaws to eat wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Like other termite species, subterranean termites also feed on products containing cellulose. Subterranean termites swarm in the spring when groups of reproductive termites go off to start new colonies.

Habitat

Subterranean termites live in underground colonies with as many as two million members. They are also found in moist secluded areas above ground.

Threats

Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive termite species. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time. Over time, they can collapse a building entirely, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. If you suspect a termite infestation, contact a pest professional about subterranean termite treatment.

Subterranean Termite Prevention

The best method of subterranean termite control is to avoid water accumulation near your home’s foundation. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard. Most importantly, eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building.

Drywood Termites

Drywood Termites (Family Kalotermitidae)

Drywood termites can be avoided by making sure firewood and scrap wood is stored at least 20 feet from the home. Another drywood termite treatment tactic is to seal all cracks and crevices around the foundation of the home. Homeowners should also routinely inspect the property for signs of drywood termites, paying special attention to window and doorframes, trim, eaves, siding and attics.

Elite Pest Management, LLC-Bed Bug and Termite Services

Color

Creamy white to light brown

Legs	6
Antennae	Yes
Region	Primarily found coastally from South Carolina westward to Texas and up the west coast of California

Shape

Long, narrow and oval

Size

3/8 to 1 inch long

Habits

Drywood termites form colonies of up to 2,500 members. Unlike subterranean termite species, drywood termite colonies do not have a worker caste, as the work is done by immature termites before they reach adulthood. Drywood termites usually swarm on sunny, warm days after a sudden rise in temperature.

Habitat

Drywood termites infest dry wood, like that found in attic framings. They can be transported to new locations via an infested piece of furniture, a picture frame, etc.

Threats

Drywood termites can chew through support beams, floors and walls, causing expensive home repairs. In fact, drywood termites and other termite species cause a collective $5 billion in property damage each year.

Drywood Termite Prevention

Drywood termites can be avoided by making sure firewood and scrap wood is stored at least 20 feet from the home. Drywood termites form new colonies by gaining access to wood through small holes. As a drywood termite treatment tactic, seal all cracks and crevices in a structure.

Dampwood Termites

Dampwood Termites (Family Hodotermitidae)

As the name suggests, dampwood termites infest wood with high moisture content. Dampwood termites are normally larger in size than other termite species.

Elite Pest Management, LLC-Bed Bug and Termite Services

Color

Creamy white to brownish

Legs	6
Antennae	Yes
Region	Found throughout the pacific coastal and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid southwest, and southern Florida

Shape

Long, narrow and oval

Size

1/2″ – 5/8 inch long

Habits

Subterranean termites build distinctive tunnels, often referred to as “mud tubes,” to reach food sources and protect themselves from open air. They use their scissor-like jaws to eat wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Like other termite species, subterranean termites also feed on products containing cellulose. Subterranean termites swarm in the spring when groups of reproductive termites go off to start new colonies.

Habitat

Subterranean termites live in underground colonies with as many as two million members. They are also found in moist secluded areas above ground.

Threats

Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive termite species. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time. Over time, they can collapse a building entirely, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. If you suspect a termite infestation, contact a pest professional about subterranean termite treatment.

Subterranean Termite Prevention

The best method of subterranean termite control is to avoid water accumulation near your home’s foundation. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard. Most importantly, eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building.

Formosan Termites

Formosan Termites (C. formosanus)

Formosan termite control begins with eliminating sources of moisture both inside and outside of the home. Inside, homeowners should reduce humidity in crawl spaces, attics and basements with proper ventilation. Outdoors, divert water away from the home’s foundation to prevent Formosan termite access with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Homeowners should also store firewood at least 20 feet away from the home and maintain a one-inch gap between soil and wood portions of the home.

Elite Pest Management, LLC-Bed Bug and Termite Services

Color

Creamy white to brownish

Legs	6
Antennae	Yes
Region	Found in Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and California

Shape

Long, narrow and oval

Size

1/2 inch in length

Habits

Formosans build intricate mud nests in the ground. They can chew through wood, flooring and even wallpaper. In fact, the average size of a Formosan termite colony can consume one foot of 2X4 wood in 25 days

Habitat

Formosan termites live in huge underground colonies with an average of 350,000 workers. In addition to structures, they also infest trees, shrubs, utility poles, timber, railroad trusses and even boats.

Threats

Because of their aggressive nature, Formosan termites are difficult to control once they infest a structure. A mature Formosan termite colony can cause severe structural damage to a home in as little as six months. Prevention is key with this termite species. If dealing with an existing infestation, talk to a pest professional about a Formosan termite treatment.

Formosan Termite Prevention

Avoid water accumulation near your home’s foundation. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard. Most importantly, eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building.

Conehead Termites

Conehead Termites (Nasutitermes corniger)

Conehead termites are an invasive species native to the Caribbean that was first introduced to the U.S. in 2001. They were originally called “tree termites,” but were renamed conehead termites to alleviate the misconception that this pest is only found in trees.

Elite Pest Management, LLC-Bed Bug and Termite Services

Color

Cream bodies; dark brown heads

Legs	6
Antennae	Yes
Region	Broward County, Fla.

Shape

Long; narrow; Soldiers have a pear shaped head

Size

3 – 4 mm

Habits

Unlike most termites, the conehead termite does not rely on underground tunneling to travel. Instead, they forage on the ground like ants, allowing them to spread quickly.

Habitat

Conehead termites build dark brown “mud” tubes and freestanding nests on the ground, in trees or in wooden structures. The nests can be up to 3 feet in diameter and have a hard surface of chewed wood.

Threats

Conehead termites are an extremely aggressive termite species known for causing widespread property damage in a short period of time. Additional research into the species and treatment options are critical to controlling this destructive pest’s spread, or else millions of dollars in damage can be expected.

Conehead Termite Prevention

Because of their unique habits, conehead termites have proven difficult to control with existing treatment methods. The nest must be located and destroyed, and the structure may require repeated treatments in order to gain control. Costs associated with treating conehead termites are typically higher than other termite species, and homeowner insurance policies do not usually cover wood boring insect damage. If you suspect a conehead termite infestation, it is important to contact a licensed pest professional promptly.

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America’s #1 Termite Defense

Product

Termidor® termiticide/insecticide is a professional termite defense product effective on native subterranean termites, Formosan termites, and drywood termites.

It utilizes an advanced nonrepellent, or “undetectable,” liquid technology that termites cannot see, smell, taste, or avoid. Instead, they contact, ingest, and share Termidor, completely unaware that doing so will inevitably kill them.

Unparalleled Performance

In numerous trials across the United States and around the world, Termidor has proven consistently effective at eliminating termites in structures and at preventing future infestations and devastating damage.

How does it Kill the Termites

To control subterranean termites, a liquid Termidor® termiticide/insecticide termite treatment is applied with precision along the foundation walls or exterior perimeter of your home.

The treatment uses time-tested application methods at very low rates. It is virtually odor free and won’t cause any disruption to your family’s normal routines.

Termidor binds tightly to the soil to create the “Termidor Zone.” Since this protective termite treatment zone is undetectable to termites, termites can’t avoid it and will not try to find a way around it (as they can with repellent termite treatments). Termidor Kills and Controls Termites Several Ways,When termites eat Termidor treated material, they will die. But Termidor doesn’t stop there. It kills termites by contact as well. And since termites can’t detect its presence, termites directly ingest and contact Termidor as they go about their normal routines.

The Unique Termidor “Transfer EffectTM”

Whenever a termite touches Termidor, it can become a “carrier,” transferring Termidor to other termites it contacts. Secondary carriers continue transferring Termidor to other termites they contact, spreading it like a virus throughout the colony. This unique “Transfer EffectTM” is one of the reasons no other termite treatment can control termites like Termidor.

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