TYPES OF TERMITES
Don’t let Arizona’s dry climate give you a false sense of security regarding termites. There’s no escaping these pests who thrive practically everywhere. Within our state there are three specific types of termites to be aware of. We’ll be taking a closer look at each type below.
Similar to bees and ants, termites are social creatures who dwell in large colonies where the young are produced and labor is divided collectively. Termites generally feed of wood, and other materials that contain cellulose such as books, paper, insulation, swimming pool filtration systems and more. Homes and buildings are susceptible to becoming infested at any time, which is why early detection, annual inspections, and proper treatment by trained professionals are vital to getting the upper hand. So what types of termites are looking to make your Arizona home their home?
Subterranean Termites
- Are very common in Arizona and capable of collapsing an entire building. There
- are species within the subterranean species that are the most destructive of all termite types in the U.S.
- As their name implies, their colonies are found underground as the soil provides the most moisture they require to survive.
- Hundreds of thousands to millions of termites can be found in a single subterranean colony.
- They construct mud tunnels to travel between their colony and the structure where they access their food source. These tunnels further protect them from the elements in open air.
Drywood Termites
- Out of the three termite types in Arizona, the Drywood species reproduce the slowest.
- Their smaller colonies usually do not grow to more than 5,000 termites per colony.
- Are not dependent on moisture from soil or any other source of water; making them the most mobile of all the species.
- Colonies are built in structural wood, furniture, moldings, window and door frames, fence posts, etc.
- As their swarms are small, they can often be overlooked.
- Leave behind fecal pellets that are dry and six-sided.
