Termites in Pensacola – 5 Things You Need to Know
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Termites can be considered the worst nightmare for homeowners and business owners alike. Why? Termites cause millions of dollars in damage to homes and buildings every year! Since termites aren’t typically covered under insurance, it’s no surprise that it can be costly to prevent or get rid of your termite problem in Pensacola.
Termites can compromise the integrity of your home without you even knowing it, so we’ve put together a list of five things about termites you probably didn’t know. Hopefully this will help you in making informed decisions to protect your home.
- Termites have lived for more than 100 million years and are ancestors of the cockroach.
Looking back millions of years ago, scientists found that the cockroach and termite come from a common ancestor. Scientists have even found a 100 million year old termite preserved in amber! This has enabled scientists to understand how these pests have developed and changed over time.
- Termites can digest cellulose because of microorganisms in their gut.
An interesting thing about termites is that they can take a tree and simply decompose it. Termites have bacteria and microorganisms inside their stomachs that break down and digest cellulose from the food they eat. These bacteria and microorganisms actually live inside the termites.
- Termites can do well for the environment.
When you think of termites, you assume that they are constantly eating wood and destroying homes, but this isn’t always the case. Termites are decomposers; they break down plant fibers. Their role is important in forests because they break down fallen trees that are decaying. This allows new trees to grow and is an important part of the circle of life for a forest or woodland area.
Termites also tunnel in soil. This aerates the soil and improves the ability to have new plants live there. The unfortunate coincidence is that their food source is the same thing that we make our homes out of!
- Termites are social insects.
Similar to the ant, termites use a special gland to leave a trail wherever they go. Each termite colony has its own unique scent which helps to keep the colonies together. Using these chemicals, the termites are also able to communicate with each other and can even control each other’s behavior. Some species of termites are even able to influence how the young termites develop by using these chemicals.
- Termite kings and queens can fly.
A common misconception is that all termites are able to fly. Although this is true for some termites, it’s not true for the majority. Only the reproductive termites have wings and are able to fly. The winged termites leave their homes to find a mate. This is where the term “swarming season” comes from. During the mating season, these winged termites gather together in swarms to find mates. Once they find their mates, they break their wings off and settle down to start reproducing. This is when they start to build their colonies.
There are three main types of termites in Florida –
– Live in soil
– Reach food sources via mud tubes
– Eat fences, trees and wood used to build homes
– Build large nests
- Drywood Termites:
– Live in wood (dead trees, wood floors, etc)
– Eat fences, trees, and lumber used in homes
– Do not require soil
– Causes damage at a slower rate
– Builds small nests
- Dampwood Termites:
– Live in wood that’s high in moisture
– Rarely found inside homes
– Don’t require soil
Tip: It’s very important to periodically check underneath the landscaping of your home or business. If you have mulch beds around your home, you can move the mulch around to see if there are termites feeding in it. If you find termites in your mulch, there’s a very good chance they are already inside the home! It is important to check under rocks and other areas that are hard to reach. Termites prefer to be in places that are moist and dark.
Understanding termites helps you know what you should be looking for. Since termites are small, people often don’t realize that they have a termite problem until it is too late. We encourage everyone to be proactive in termite prevention in Pensacola.
If you aren’t sure if you have a termite problem or need termite control right away, contact us and we’ll handle the work for you. We want you to be at peace knowing you’re in good hands while being protected from these destructive pests!
FOR AFFORDABLE TERMITE AND PEST CONTROL, TRUST EXTREME TERMITE AND PEST CONTROL TO PROTECT YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS!
Contact your Pensacola Termite Exterminator today! (850) 492-9225
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