Have you noticed flying termites coming out of a tree in your yard? Or have you noticed what looks like a termite nest on or in your tree? Then you might have an imminent termite problem on your hands. If the termites decide to attack your home next, you could be facing a very expensive repair bill in several months' time.
But before you panic, find out what species you are dealing with. Not all termites are equal in terms of the risk they pose to your home.
Arboreal Termites Build Mud Tunnels and Mounds
Much like subterranean termites, arboreal termites live in the ground, often in the root crowns of trees. You can identify these termites via the mud tunnels on the bark of a tree or by the mounds that they sometimes build on the trunks or branches of trees.
Although arboreal termites won't do much damage to your tree, they will go after damp wood that is in contact with soil.
Drywood Termites Don't Need Moisture or Soil
Drywood termites are unique among termite species in that they don't need moisture or soil to build a colony and thrive. These termites get all the nourishment and moisture they need from the wood they eat. That's why you'll usually find these termites in dead wood.
These termites leave little bore holes in the branches and trunks of dead or dying trees. If you look around the base of your tree and see piles of wooden fecal pellets, like dust, you probably have a drywood termite infestation. These termites can spread to wooden furniture and to your home through cracks in wood.
Dampwood Termites Like Wet Wood
As their name implies, dampwood termites need wet wood in order to build a colony inside a tree. This means that if your tree is dying and rotting inside and is in contact with soil, dampwood termites can attack it and build a colony inside the heartwood, within the trunk.
Like drywood termites, dampwood termites leave piles of fecal pellets scattered at the base of an infested tree. And because their pellets are wet, those pellets sometimes stick to the trunks and branches of infested trees. If you have a leaking gutter or air conditioning unit near your home, these termites will attack.
Subterranean Termites Leave Mud Tunnels
This is the most dangerous species of all in terms of the damage they can do to your home. These termites nest in the soil, and you can identify them by digging around the roots of your tree. Subterranean termites also leave mud tunnels on the roots and trunks of the trees they are attacking. If you have a subterranean termite nest in your tree, your home is at risk of invasion.
Is your tree infested with termites? Any one of the aforementioned termite species can attack your home. Call a termite control service today and have them eradicate your termite problem before your home is next on the menu.