Pin Holes as Signs of Termites

Colonies

• Social insects, termites tend to form colonies which are organized by a caste system. The queen termite is the largest of the insects. She lays eggs --- sometimes thousands in just one day --- to further the population of the colony. The king termite stays by her side. The lifespan of the queen and king may span for decades. Solider termites have large heads and powerful jaws or bulb-shaped heads that spray liquid. This caste protects the colony from enemies, namely ants. Worker termites make up the majority of the colony. These termites construct the nest, tend to the queen and collect food. Both soldiers and workers can be male or female.

Types

• While there are more than 2,500 types of termites worldwide, they can be categorized into four different groups. Dampwood termites live mostly in California and the Pacific Northwest and feed off very moist wood, usually stumps and fallen trees in forests. Drywood termites can be found on most continents and like to eat structural lumber. They also can withstand very dry conditions, even living in deserts. You will find subterranean termites all over the world. They nest and breed in the soil. Mound builder termites live in Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, and parts of South America. They can build dirt towers that reach over 25 feet high.

Signs

• Termites feed mostly on wood, but will also destroy paper, books, insulation, swimming pool liners and filtration systems. They prefer to infest dying woody plants but will also harm healthy living trees and shrubs. If you have a termite infestation, you'll noticed winged termites flying around inside your house, especially during the months of March, April and May. Also look for signs of earthen tubes on foundation walls, support piers or floor joists. These tubes are made out of mud and usually have a diameter the size of a pencil. Examine your walls for small pin holes where termites have eaten through the drywall's paper coating or tap on the walls and listen for a hollow sound. Apply a slight pressure to baseboards and see if they crumble. You may even be able to see faint lines on the drywall which are really the termites' tunnels beneath the paper coating.

Treatment

• To effectively and safely get rid of termites you need to know about building construction, be able to identify where the termites are entering the house and have access to specialized equipment such as masonry drills, large-capacity tanks and large quantities of termiticide. Since exterminating termites takes so many special skills, the University of Kentucky recommends hiring a professional to do the job. The university also warns that termite products sold by retail stores and online retailers often won't eliminate a termite infestation.