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There are 3 main forms of termites: drywood, dampwood and subterranean. Each kind of termite colony includes workers (who eat your house), soldiers (who defend others from predators such as ants) and swarmers (flyers who find new places to colonize). Though you dont generally see termites unless theyre swarming (flying), its great to know how to identify them, Wilson states.

Drywood termites commonly possess a brown body with a red head. Swarmers have sheer, tan wings although there are colour variations. Workers are light, tan and look like maggots, with no wings.

Dampwood termites are much like 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 sheer wings for the flyers. The employees are smaller, white and maggot-like.

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

Dampwood termites like decaying wood or wood that is rich 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) timber and drywood, however they initially make contact with your home through the ground.

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Drywood and dampwood termites enter your home through small cracks, often around window frames throughout cracks in the caulk. Be sure to check around windows frequently 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 instance, when you hammer Christmas lights then take the nails out, you leave behind little holes and produce 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, a lot homes have raised foundations, Wilson states. Termites build mud tubes around the bottom floor, often along articles. But even in the absence of articles, Wilson sayssand tubes can stretch from the ground up through thin atmosphere to connect with the bottom of the house. .

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

Termites are in fact easy to kill,'' Wilson says, however you need a termiticide to perform it. Unfortunately, superior pesticides are not readily available to the public. Most home stores sell termite spray, but these are watered down to meet public security specifications, so theyre not as effective.

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

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Subterranean termites have to be cut away from the home at the ground. Pacific Coast Termites creates a chemical barrier between any areas of dirt and the house, as well as around the entire home. It functions as a shield that the termites cant break through.

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

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

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Employ a good, quality coating of paint on your house, since termites wont consume through paint. Ensure that all windows, doorframes and foundation gaps are caulked and sealed. Dont staple or nail up Christmas lights then yank them down. The tiny holes create termite homes. Instead, either abandon 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 appropriate ventilation under your raised home to keep that area dry. Subterranean termites love wetness.