Subterranean termites live in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas above ground that can contain up to 2 million members. They are by far the most destructive species of termite. They can collapse a building entirely, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time. These termites eat 24 hours a day, every day.
So just how much damage can they cause? Here are a few scary facts from Dow, manufacturer of the Sentricon System, about how destructive the subterranean termite can be:
- In the United States alone, an estimated $5 billion in termite-related property damage occurs annually
- More than 5 million homes in the United States have some type of termite problem each year
- Termites are found in every state except Alaska
- Termite damage is more common than damage caused by fires, storms and earthquakes
- Termite damage is rarely covered by homeowners insurance
- Termites live in underground colonies and tunnel to wood sources — trees, buildings or any source of cellulose
- A termite colony can number from the thousands to millions
- Worker termites feed on wood and then feed the rest of the colony by regurgitating
- The termites on Earth outweigh the humans on Earth
- Worker termites forage randomly and continuously for food, sometimes traveling up to 350 feet from the colony, and can thoroughly cover a territory up to a half acre in size
- Termites are the second-largest natural source of methane, a greenhouse gas
- Termites have survived since the days of the dinosaurs
Have you had your annual termite inspection? Don’t wait – termites could be destroying your home now without you even knowing it!