Most people should have concern about termites if they are homeowners. The key word is concern, not panic.

Subterranean Termites’ role in nature is to breakdown fallen trees by consuming them and returning their nutrients back into the soil. Unfortunately, we build our homes from dead trees and they don’t know the difference.

A BRIEF OVERVIEW--These insects live in colonies deep in the ground, usually 15 to 20 feet below the surface. However, the workers [the ones that cause damage] can travel more than 100 yards seeking food for the colony. These workers are small white, wingless and blind. The homeowner seldom sees these, unless they are doing some construction or renovation, as these insects cannot live exposed to the atmosphere. They usually come up through cracks in a slab or foundation or up through the holes in the concrete block. If any wood is in contact with the soil or mulch, they can enter directly from the soil. When they enter the wood, they leave the outside of the lumber intact [as to not be exposed to the air]. So what seems to be a perfectly good piece of wood , can be little more than a paper-thin shell. If they must traverse an open area to continue their march , they will build a mud “shelter tube” to keep them from being exposed to the air. Termites will consume approximately one foot of 2x4 lumber in three to four months. This will vary by the size of the colony , how many other areas they are feeding on , etc. In most areas termites feed all year.

TERMITE SWARMERS– Usually in the spring, a mature termite colony sends up winged reproductives [ swarmers ] to mate and form new colonies. These are winged black males and females, that differ from ant swarmers in that they don’t have a pinched waist [ like all ants have ] and they usually drop off there wings within minutes of leaving the ground [ ants do not ]. These swarmers do no damage , but are evidence that a mature colony is in the immediate area.

Homeowner Hints

1. Never store wood near your house or have wood members of your house in contact with the soil. If termites find it and consume it or, even if you move it, they are not going to travel 20 or 30 yards back to the nest and start in another direction, “there was food here, there must be more near”.

2. Correct any moisture problems along the foundation by making sure the ground slopes away from the house , make sure downspouts force rainwater away, etc. Termites like and need moisture.

3. Have your home inspected by a knowledgeable, conscientious, honest professional on a regular basis [not a salesman]. A true professional finds active termites when they are there or shakes your hand and walks away when they’re not. Unfortunately it’s no secret that there are a lot of nonprofessionals out there. Termite jobs are expensive , but if left untreated , repairs and renovation can cost 10 to 20 times more. There should be no charge for the inspection unless it is a certification for the sale or refinancing of the structure.

4. Do not allow a partial treatment of the structure! The termites will only move to another area of the structure and if they come up in an area that is not visually assessable, a lot of damage could be done before they are discovered.

5. Of course you don’t need monthly or quarterly service for termites.

6. Be careful when purchasing a home, some areas, including New Jersey where we are, use home inspectors. Now some may be fine, but I’ve had some bad experiences with a lack of knowledge.

7 In my opinion, the new baiting programs have not been out in the field long enough to give me confidence and I’ve heard about some failures. I would be cautious about these.