|
|
Termite Season
Is Just Around the Corner Part 1 |
 |
|
By Nathan Riggs, Extension Agent-IPM
Texas Cooperative Extension - Bexar County |
||
That's right. February isn't even finished yet, and we're already talking about termites. Termites are responsible for more damage to homes than fires, weather, or other means. This week's article from the Bexar County Extension office will give you a few tips to help keep the threat of termites as low as possible.
First of all, the termite that causes
the most damage to homes is the Eastern Subterranean
Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes). This termite lives in underground colonies
up to 100,000 or so individuals and feeds on cellulose materials such as dead
plant and tree roots as well as dead wood in trees. These colonies require moisture
levels in their environment of at least 20% and will not feed on cellulose with
less than 20% moisture.
Why is this important for buildings? Windows, plumbing areas, roofs and door frames can all leak, causing moisture to accumulate. If termites discover this moisture-rich area, they will feed on all cellulose or wood that has enough moisture.
Termites are not naturally attracted to buildings. They forage randomly from their nest and "stumble" upon food sources as they go. If they happen upon an area of moist soil, the termites turn upwards, hoping they will find wood in that moist soil. Sometimes this moist soil is the result of an air conditioner drain, roof leak or plumbing problem. In the case of air conditioner drains, an easy way to alleviate the buildup of condensation runoff in the soil is to collect it in a bucket, or extend the air conditioner drainline at least six feet out from the foundation of the structure.
Another factor that leads termites to homes is
the condition of soil contacting the brick or siding exterior of the home. Try
to keep soil or flowerbed contents at least four inches below the brick or siding.
| The most noticeable evidence of termite activity is the presence of mud tunnels on the exterior foundation leading upward into the structure. These tunnels provide shelter for the termites as they move between their nest and the food source (structural wood). |
 Photo courtesy of UMN Extension |
Almost as noticeable (and more horrifying) evidence of termites in a home is the sudden appearance of thousands winged insects with black bodies and long, silvery wings. These are the reproductive stages produced by the termite colony and they are present only a certain time of the year. For the South Texas area, the appearance of reproductive termites, called swarmers, begins at the end of February and continues through May. Swarmers commonly appear in bathrooms, kitchens and around windows or doors. After flying out of the nest, the swarmers lose their wings and crawl away to find a suitable nesting site. Sometimes, the only evidence a homeowner has of a swarm is small piles of wings in the corners of rooms or in windowsills. Swarming usually occurs in the morning, but can happen anytime during daylight hours.
Treating for termites is something that should be left to professionals.
This topic is broad enough to utilize an entire article on its own. Look in
the coming weeks for Part II of this article. We will cover the basics of termite
treatments. In the meantime, Extension has some informative publications on
termites. To receive one, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Texas Cooperative
Extension - Termites, 3355 Cherry Ridge - Suite 212, San Antonio TX 78230. For
added convenience, go to the Bexar County Extension website at http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/
and click on the "Termites" link to download publications about termites.
