Where Do Termite Infestations Come From?

How Do Termite Infestations Begin?

When homeowners discover a termite infestation in their homes, one of the first questions they ask is “Where do termites come from?” Answering this question not only helps determine how these insects got into your home, but also prevents these from invading your home again.

If drywood termites have been found in your home, it is highly likely that they came to your home via structures like fences and trees that contain cellulose.

It is also highly possible that the drywood termites came into your home because the houses nearby have been infested. This is particularly true if neighboring homes are just within 50 feet from your own home.

Termite Infestations

In this case, you will face an uphill battle in eliminating drywood termites from your home unless your neighbors have their homes treated against these harmful insects. If drywood termites have been found in your home and you have neighbors within 50 feet, it is essential that neighboring homes are also inspected and treated for termites. Otherwise, you will see termites in your home within a year. Having nearby homes inspected and treated will not necessarily eliminate all wood destroying organisms, but the chances of termites getting into your home quicker will be much lower.

Subterranean termites, on the other hand, come into your home via the soil. These termites can live beneath your home or in nearby areas within a 50-foot distance. There have been cases wherein the termites wreaking havoc in a home built a colony in the neighboring home.

Subterranean termites move randomly, spurred by their search for cellulose. And in the absence of their main sources of food like tree root and other wooden materials, they wind their way inside residences.

These termites need to be surrounded by soil at all times; otherwise, they will dry up and die. This is why they build mud tubes to move from one place to another. These mud tubes allow these insects to attack their targets.

Subterranean termite infestations are treated by trapping the termites through the use of a liquid bait placed around the home’s foundation. Within two to three months, the whole colony is eliminated. But unlike drywood termite colonies, subterranean termites do not simply move to areas within close proximity to your home. In this case, you will be doing not only yourself, but also your neighbors, a big favor by eliminating the threat of a subterranean termite infestation by calling the Stockton pest control professionals.