Termites are homewreckers. They can cause you a huge amount of money to handle the repairs and damages. But do you know that you can spot a termite nest?

Termite colonies occupy the mounds or nests that they build. The group of termites chooses to stay and develop their territories. The factors they consider are the availability of moisture and food. They also take into account the protective needs of their colony. 

Studies show that the termite’s nests and mounds are huge. They can spread from 50 to 100 meters in radius. The primary function of the termite nests is to provide shelter and a place to produce offspring. 

What are the Main Types of Termites Nest

The termite’s nest varies on what kind of termites you have. Other species create their nests on wood foundation, mounds, or your home. Some species build in the impressive part of your home. It is a pain if you are dealing with pests. Here are the three main types of termites that you need to know. 

Subterranean Nest

Subterranean Termites live in a place that has an endless supply of moisture. That is the main reason why they create their nests underground. They want to make their habitat damp and chilly. Their nest is between four to 20 inches underground. It has several rooms, which they call galleries. There are tunnels made of mud that connect their galleries. These tunnels connect outside and having galleries makes termite species easier access to food sources.

Drywood Nests

Drywood Termite prefers to create their colony on dry wood. It is not like a subterranean termite. These species do not need much moisture to survive. That’s why their settlement does not need to stay close to the ground. The dry wood termite uses wood as its territory and food. With this, they build a maze-like tunnel that connects it from the inside out. 

Drywood pests are troublesome. Homeowners see these pests on furniture, hardwood floors, and wooden support beams.

Dampwood termites Nests

Dampwood termites build their territory in wet areas. They do not need moisture from the soil to survive. However, they also do not require moisture from the woods. What they need is rotting wet wood. They also prefer their colony close to the ground. Because of this, homeowners have had a problem with damp wood pests. They target the wood that has decaying microorganisms like fungi. Their favorite spots are the wooden structures like leaking roofs. They can also spot water-related damages and plumbing issues as their territory.

Formosan Termite Nests

Formosan Termites are a part of the species under subterranean termites. It can build the largest nests ever found. This termite also causes the most damage of all the types of species. It also does not depend on the moisture of the soil. It can build their nest above and below the ground. They can survive in different kinds of environments. Above the ground, they call their nests cartons which are a combination of unchewed and chewed wood. You can find Formosan termites on the walls of houses.

Termite Mounds

Termite mounds are the above-ground termite nests. They build it using their fecal matter of species. Termite mounds also combine their saliva and mud to complete their nest. This termite species survive in hot climates like Australia and Africa. The species mounds are a natural agent against scorching temperatures. Nowadays, termites mounds have become popular with tourists because of their large size. The largest is 19 feet, and the tallest is 41 feet.

How can you Prevent Future Termite infestation

There are simple steps in protecting your home from termites infestation. You can consider the following methods.

• Seal all the cracks of your home’s foundation.
• Use a plastic sheet to cover all the wood-to-soil contact areas.
• Repairing your broken roof tiles
• Keep the moisture leakage to your air conditioners.
• Do not put your furniture near the wall.
• Repair your leaky pipes.
• If you have tree stumps in your yard, remove it immediately.
• Do not store your firewood on the ground.

What are the Signs of Termite Damage

Termite on the wall

Having termite species on the wall is a big problem. It can destroy your home structures. And it also costs a huge sum of money if you will do repairs. To be sure here are the signs, 

Observe the small pinholes in your wall. The termite will eat through the paper coating of your wall. Be vigilant about it. Look at your drywalls, and if there are faint lines, there are possibilities of termite damage. There are also some instances where you tap your walls and if it produces a hollow sound, it is a sign of termite infestation.

Termite Nest in Home

The primary target of the termites is the internal chambers of your home. It will look like a pile of wood, and it does not have mud. You can easily detect the termite nests in your house. If you notice that there are holes in your home, it is the start of termite infestation. 

Termite in Mud Tubes

In their mounds, termite creates small mud tunnels using dirt or soil. The termite mud tubes are like a collection of strands. You can see the tunnels going up to the walls vertically. The potential places are the front porch and the back of the patio. The termite colony also infests the garage and the wooden handles of your gardening tools.

What are Flying Termites?

Flying termites are also known as swarmers or alates. If you see some in your yard, it is a sign of pest infestation. You can even notice some of the wings of the swarmers if they land. Pay close attention to your house. The swarmer’s wings are usually identical in size, color, and shapes. You will notice it on your floors, ground, and even in the windowsills.

What are Termite Droppings?

Termite droppings are also known as frass. You can find this beneath the termite-infested wood. After consuming the dry wood, termites leave residues. These are brown-colored, grainy termite mounds. People often confuse it with sawdust, that’s why homeowners do not pay attention to it. 

What do Termites do to windows and doors?

The pests use their excrement and mud to make termite mounds where they eat the wood and trap the heat and moisture. They do this to make the wood swell. As your doors and windows swell, it will be harder to open and close them.

Where do Termites Come From?

The termite colonies go to the areas where they can fulfill their needs. The places can be in damp, dry, and subterranean environments. 

The dry wood termites enter your house through trees. They can also target your new furniture or firewood. Dampwood termites use the ground to pests your home. It can be through the water drainage or dog doors. Termite mounds need soil to live and you can find their colonies in the yard. It can also be under the tree stump. These termites also build underground tunnels to quickly find their food source. The primary target is the foundation of your home.