Termite Facts ●Termites are great survivors and have existed for 250 million years. ●Termites live throughout the United States, but the warm southern and coastal areas are most favored by termites. ●Termites are a costly nuisance for property owners but in nature they  serve the vital function of helping break down dead plant material and  thus returning nutrients to the soil. ●Termites have an extremely complex social structure/caste system and communicate using pheromones. ●Termites cannot digest wood/cellulose by themselves.  They rely on protozoa within their gut to do it for them.  The protozoa is past on to the next generation when workers feed nymphs.

Termites cost Americans $5 billion every year.  That's more than is caused by all fires and storms combined--and earthquakes as well.

Granted, the damage caused by termites isn't as dramatic as a fire or tornado.  And it may not be discovered for years.  But eventually it can lead to sagging floors, loose trim, cracked plaster, and more.  Eventually, major repairs to the structure may be necessary.

Typical signs of termite infestations include swarming of winged adults in the spring (March, April, May, and June) and occasionally autumn (September and October).  A "swarm" is a group of adult male and female reproductives that leave their nest to establish a new colony.  Swarming occurs when a colony reaches a certain size.  Emergence is stimulated when temperature and moisture conditions are favorable, usually on warm days following rainfall.

Other signs of termite presence include "pencil-size" mud tubes constructed over the surface of foundation walls, mud protruding from cracks between boards and beams, termite droppings "pellets" in window sills, on framing, etc., and hollow sounds from infested wood when it is tapped, or extreme softness when probed with a knife.  Termites feed slowly and there is no need to panic.