Don't Mess with Termites

Termites are one of those insects that know how to adapt to different environments very well.

Most people think that the only way they can survive is if they are in a place where there is some moisture present. This, of course, would explain why many of them are found first in the basements of homes that have become infested, then they gradually make their way to other areas as they eat through wood. But, the truth of the matter is that termites can bring their own water source from the places that they were before, and live just fine as they continuously damage the interior wooden panels, walls, and other edible areas.

The real reason you need to rid your home of termites is because the fast rate that they eat. It will also always depend on how large a colony is when figuring how much damage they can really do in a particular period, but the average sized colony can go through a foot-long wooden 2x4 in half a calendar. So, in six months, they could be ruining the steps that lead down to your basement, but you probably won’t know until they collapse under your weight, and you fall through them.
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Still, there are some species of termites that can eat even faster than that, much faster. The Formosan termite is said by experts to be one of the most destructive kinds, and are actually nicknamed the ‘super termite’. The average homeowner would probably not know the difference between the species unless they did some spontaneous research. And, even after they found out what kind has invaded their living spaces, they still will need assistance to get rid of them.

​The best way to do this is to hire a reputable, experienced exterminator.