TERMITES -SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THEM AND PREVENTION METHODS

Termites

	Termites have been around since the time of the dinosaurs! Termite colonies eat non-stop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week! Termites have wings that they shed once they have found a good place to build a nest.	Termites cause up to $2 billion in damage per year! All Termites are social insects and raise their young as a group. The total weight of all of the termites in the world is more than the weight of all the humans in the world.
Dampwood termites

	Dampwood termites are normally larger in size than other termite species. Like Drywood Termites, Dampwood colonies don’t have workers. Younger termites called "false workers" do all the work for the colony.
		Size: 1/2" to 5/8" Shape: Long, narrow, oval Color: Brownish	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Dampwood Termite Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Isoptera Family: Hodotermitidae Species: Varies

DIET

Dampwood termites like to live and feed in very moist wood.

HABITAT

Because they need lots of moisture, Dampwood Termites usually live in damp, dying wood or in houses with leaking plumbing that keeps the wood wet.

IMPACT

Dampwood termites do not carry disease and don’t usually bother buildings because there is not enough water in the wood.

PREVENTION

• To avoid Dampwood termites, make sure water drains away from your house and keep damp wood away from your home.

Drywood termites

	Drywood termites form colonies of up to 2,500 members. Drywood Termite colonies don’t have workers. Younger termites, called "false workers", do all the work for the colony.
		Size: 3/8" to 1" Shape: Long, narrow, oval Color: Light brown	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Drywood Termite Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Isoptera Family: Kalotermitidae Species: Varies

DIET

Drywood Termites eat wood, wallpaper, plastics and fabric made from plants.

HABITAT

Drywood Termite colonies are usually found in dry wood and they do not require moisture or contact with the soil.

IMPACT

Drywood termites can build nests and dig tunnels in buildings. These tunnels cause major damage because the wooden support beams can become weak and make the building lean or fall down.

PREVENTION

• Make sure firewood and scrap wood is stored away from your house.
• Seal all cracks and crevices around the outside of your home.

Formosan termite

	Formosan termite colonies can be up to 300 feet long and there can be tens of thousands of termites in a single colony. Formosan termite colonies are divided into three groups: workers, soldiers and reproductives. They are the largest and most destructive kind of termite.
		Size: 1/2" Shape: Long, narrow, oval Color: Yellowish brown	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Formosan Termite Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Isoptera Family: Rhinotermitidae Species: Varies

DIET

Formosan Termites eat wood and fabric made from plants. When they eat dead trees, these termites help the environment and make space for new plant life.

HABITAT

Formosans live in huge underground colonies, and build mud nests inside the walls of a building. They can also live in boats and buildings.

IMPACT

Formosan termites eat a lot of wood and can damage your house.

PREVENTION

• To avoid Formosan termites, make sure water drains away from your house and keep damp wood away from your home.

Subterranean Termite

	Subterranean Termite colonies can have up to 2 million members! Their colonies are divided into three groups: workers, soldiers and reproductives.
		Size: 1/8" to 1" Shape: Long, narrow, oval Color: Creamy brown	Legs: 6 Wings: Yes Antenna: Yes
		Common Name: Subterranean Termite Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda	Class: Insecta Order: Isoptera Family: Rhinotermitidae Species: Varies

DIET

Termites eat wood, wallpaper, plastics and fabric made from plants.

HABITAT

Subterranean termites need contact with the soil to survive. They live in underground colonies or in wet areas aboveground. They build tunnels to reach food and every spring, groups of reproductive termites fly off to start new colonies.

IMPACT

Subterranean termites are the most destructive kind of termite. They can eat a lot of wood and they can cause a lot of expensive damage to a house! They can destroy building foundations, wooden support beams, plastic plumbing pipes, sub-flooring, insulation … even swimming pool liners and filtration systems! Termites can also injure or destroy living trees and shrubs.

PREVENTION

• Don’t let water pool around your home's foundation. Termites like that!
• Never leave wood scraps in the yard for them to snack on.