Those termites which like to feed on wood are part of a larger group of the termite species. The pests that put our homes in the most danger are the Dampwood termites thus called because they enjoy feasting on damp, rotting timber or any other wood that has accumulated a great deal of moisture. Termite treatments will serve to protect your home and family from these destructive insects. One such treatment includes the pest control procedure of clearing the property of any wood moist enough to attract an infestation in the first place.

Dampwood termites are found in the Pacific coastal area of the United States more than any other region of the country, but that does not mean homeowners the nation over should not be concerned about this problem. Washington, Nevada, California, Oregon and Montana see especially high rates of Dampwood termites, and a somewhat less destructive variety can be found in the southwest and in Florida.

A Dampwood colony is much like any other; there are workers to provide the colony with food, soldiers to protect it and a king and queen to keep reproduction in order. The termites each start off as an egg before becoming a nymph, and later an adult. A pupal stage is not part of the Dampwood’s life cycle. Adult termites are easier to tell apart from one another – and easier to identify in general. These types of termites can be differentiated from other types by their larger size and their brownish-red heads. Dampwood termites also have sizeable mandibles. The worker termites are smaller than the soldiers and the king and queen can be spotted because they are an inch long and have wings.

Dampwood’s will move their infestation from one home to the next as they see fit and these pests need no shelter as they transfer from one source of food to another. Homeowners may not even notice they have termites soon after they move in because their activity may not be visibly apparent at first. But once these bugs have established their new nest, they immediately go to work dismantling any wood they can find. The infestation may go unnoticed for quite some time, as the Dampwood’s prefer to hide as they feed on your home. Generally, these types of termites will eat a wooden structure from the inside out. They tunnel their way to the center of the structure and eat their way to its outer layers. The bugs’ tunnels appear smooth, as if they had been smoothed by sandpaper.

If you are aware that the wooden structures in your home may contain high levels of moisture, it may be in your best interest to have an exterminator inspect your home. Dampwood termites may be attracted to homes with leaky faucets or any variety of moist wood that lies in the surrounding area. You will want to keep your home as dry as possible to avoid an infestation especially in the basement area. It is a good idea to contact an exterminator to inspect your home periodically to avoid any problems.

Author Bio: Chuck R. Stewart is a writer who frequently writes on the topic of termite treatments. He frequently writes on the topic of pest control problems.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: termite treatments,pest control