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There are three main forms of termites: drywood, dampwood and subterranean. Each type of termite colony includes employees (who consume your house), soldiers (who defend other people from predators such as ants) and swarmers (flyers who find new areas to colonize). Although you dont generally see termites unless theyre swarming (flying), its great to know how to identify them,'' Wilson says.

Drywood termites commonly possess a brown body with a red head. Swarmers have sheer, tan wings but there are colour variations. Workers are pale, tan and look like maggots, with no wings.

Dampwood termites are similar to drywood termites, often with a tan or brown body and sheer wings. These employees also resemble maggots.

Subterranean termites are smaller than their above-ground brethren with black bodies and utter wings for the flyers. The employees are smaller, white and maggot-like.

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Drywood termites are partial to dry, nondecayed wood and often end up in attics, flooring boards and window frames.

Dampwood termites like decaying wood or timber that is rich with moisture. They often strike wood that is making contact with the ground and are found in regions with high rainfall or humidity.

Subterranean termites will eat soft (moisture-rich) wood and drywood, however they initially make contact with your home through the ground.

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Drywood and dampwood termites enter your home through small cracks, often around window frames through cracks in the caulk. Make sure you check around windows regularly and reapply caulk when it begins to show signs of age and cracking. Swarmers lose their wings and float into the wood. Cracks in paint are another easy access point for termites.

Be mindful of maintaining your outside paint. As an example, when you hammer up Christmas lights then take the nails out, you leave behind small holes and produce an open door for a termite colony. .

Subterranean termites often burrow into cracks in the homes foundation. In regions like the San Francisco Bay Area, many houses have increased foundations, Wilson states. Termites build mud tubes around the floor, often along posts. But even in the absence of articles, Wilson states , mud tubes can stretch from the ground up through thin atmosphere to connect with the bottom of the home. .

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So what do you do if you find a termite in your home If you see one drop wing or one termite flying , it doesnt mean you've got an infestation. But if you see a group of shed wings or any of the other warning signs noted above, its best to get a professional inspection.

Termites are actually simple to kill,'' Wilson states, but you need a termiticide to do it. Unfortunately, good pesticides are not readily available to the public. Most home stores promote termite spray, but those are watered down to meet public safety specifications, so theyre not as successful.

In case you've got an infestation that is isolated to one part of your house, say the door trim, you can replace the trimming, Continue Wilson says. But if you have a full-on termite infestation, you need a larger scale treatment.

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Subterranean termites must be cut away from the home at the ground. Pacific Coast Termites makes a chemical barrier between any areas of dirt and the house, as well as around the entire house. It acts as a shield the termites cant break through.

Drywood and dampwood termites can be killed with a timber treatment product such as XT2000 Orange Oil, which can be injected under pressure into the timber through ink-pen-sized holes. This product saturates the wood and will prevent future infestations. Treating a moderate infestation this way takes about four to six hours.

Homes that are exceptionally infested (you can see termites everywhere) can require fumigation. Either a massive tent is placed over your house, or all of the doors and windows are sealed, and the residence is gassed with pesticide that will kill all the termites. This procedure can take anywhere from six hours to one week, depending on the kind of infestation.

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Employ an excellent, quality coat of exterior paint on your house, since termites wont consume through paint. Ensure more tips here that all windows, doorframes and foundation openings are caulked and sealed. Dont basic or nail up Christmas lights then pull them down. The tiny holes create termite homes. Instead, either abandon the nails in the holes year-round or fill out the holes when you eliminate the nails. .

Quickly solve any plumbing leaks, standing water on your roof or other difficulties involving decaying wood. Provide appropriate ventilation under your elevated home to keep that region dry. Subterranean termites love wetness.