Homeowners’ Guide to Termites Part 1

Termites are a problem for homeowners everywhere, but you should know how they impact your home here in Oregon and Idaho. If you’re a first-time homeowner, you may not be aware of what these destructive pests can do. Here is a simple homeowners’ guide to termites.

What are Termites and What Do They Do?

Termites are insects that live in colonies and eat on wood. They are destructive little creatures because they will search for any wood products and start chewing through them until the wood is weakened. They are most commonly found in houses, especially along the foundation and other dark areas around wood beams. They may also hide under decks and stairs or other spaces where they can eat and build their homes.

Life Cycle of Termites

Termites can be divided into workers and soldiers with kings and queens who are responsible for reproducing. Queens can live up to 30 or 50 years. The termite starts out as an egg, then becomes a nymph before turning into an adult. Both the egg and nymph go through stages before moving to the next stage.

A king and queen leave the colony to form their own. At the start, the queen may lay around 10-20 eggs per day. However, this number increases to 1000 per day as the colony ages.

Types of Termites in the Pacific NW Including Oregon & Idaho

Three different types of termites exist in the United States. It’s important to know which ones live in the Pacific NW to know how to treat them. Dampwood termites are located in this area and live in moist wood. They are large, about ½ to ¾ inch in length.

Subterranean termites are found throughout the US, including Oregon and Idaho. They are tiny with dark brown to brownish black bodies. The soldiers are more gray than brown. These termites generally choose wood that is close to the soil or underground.

If you’re concerned about the termite infestation in your home, you can contact All Natural Pest Elimination for a free inspection at 1-877-662-8449. We’ll help you protect your home from these devastating pests.