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There are 3 main types of termites: drywood, dampwood and subterranean. Every type of termite colony includes workers (who eat your house), soldiers (who defend other people from predators such as ants) and swarmers (flyers that locate new places to colonize). Though you dont generally see termites unless theyre swarming (flying), its good to know how to identify them,'' Wilson states.

Drywood termites commonly have a brown body with a reddish head. Swarmers have absolute, tan wings although there are color variations. Workers are pale, tan and look like maggots, with no wings.

Dampwood termites are similar to drywood termites, often with a tan or brown body and absolute wings. These employees also resemble maggots.

Subterranean termites are smaller than their above-ground brethren with black bodies and utter wings for the flyers. The workers are smaller, white and maggot-like.

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Drywood termites are partial to dry, nondecayed wood and often end up in attics, flooring boards and window frames.

Dampwood termites like decaying wood or timber that's loaded with moisture. They often attack wood that is making contact with the ground and are found in regions with high rainfall or humidity.

Subterranean termites will eat soft (moisture-rich) wood and drywood, however they initially make contact with your home through the ground.

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Drywood and dampwood termites enter your house through small cracks, often around window frames throughout cracks in the home. Be sure to check around windows regularly and reapply caulk when it begins to show signs of age and cracking. Swarmers lose their wings and float into the wood. Cracks in paint are another easy access point for termites.

Be mindful of maintaining your exterior paint. For example, when you hammer Christmas lights then take the nails out, you leave behind small holes and create an open doorway for a termite colony. .

Subterranean termites often seep into cracks in the homes foundation. In regions like the San Francisco Bay Area, many houses have increased foundations, Wilson states. Termites build mud tubes around the bottom floor, often along posts. But even in the absence of posts, Wilson sayssand tubes can extend from the ground up through thin atmosphere to connect with the base of the home. .

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So what can you do if you find a termite in your home when you see one shed wing or one termite flying by, it doesnt mean you've got an infestation. But if you find a group of shed wings or any of the other warning signs noted above, its best to find a professional inspection.

Termites are actually easy to kill, Wilson says, but you need a termiticide to do it. Unfortunately, good pesticides are not readily available to the public. Most home shops sell Get More Info termite spray, but these are watered down to meet public safety specifications, so theyre not as effective.

In case you've got an infestation that's isolated to one portion of your house, say the door trimming, you can replace the trim, Wilson states. But in case you have a full-on termite infestation, you need a larger scale treatment.

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Subterranean termites must be cut away from the home at the soil. Pacific Coast Termites makes a chemical barrier between any areas of grime and the home, as well as around the entire house. It acts as a shield the termites cant break through.

Drywood and dampwood termites can be murdered with a wood treatment product such as XT2000 Orange Oil, which is injected under pressure into the timber through ink-pen-sized holes. This item saturates the wood and will prevent future infestations. Treating a moderate infestation this use this link way takes about four to six hours.

Homes that are massively infested (you can see termites everywhere) can require fumigation. Either a massive tent is placed over your house, or all the doors and windows are sealed, and the home is gassed with pesticide that can kill each of the termites. This process can helpful hints take anywhere from six hours to one week, depending on the kind of infestation.

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Apply a good, quality coat of paint on your house, since termites wont eat through paint. Ensure that all windows, doorframes and foundation openings are caulked and sealed. Dont staple or nail up Christmas lights then pull them down. The tiny holes create termite homes. Instead, either leave the nails in the holes year-round or fill the holes when you eliminate the nails. .

Instantly solve any plumbing leaks, standing water on your roof or other difficulties involving decaying wood. Provide proper ventilation under your raised home to keep that region dry. Subterranean termites adore wetness.