Subterranean termites are nasty pests to have in your home. As the second most common species globally, subterranean termites are also the most damaging. They are responsible for more than five billion in property damage and prevention costs annually. If you have an infestation problem on your hands and need subterranean termite control, don't hesitate to contact a Bronx County pest control company that specializes in treating these destructive pests.
Subterranean Termites: Assessing Their Feeding Habits
Subterranean termites feed on cellulose-based matter, including wood and plant material. Typically, these whitish bugs chew on wood in contact with or above ground level (or partially underground). Subterranean termites are not picky eaters, feeding on most types of woods. In some cases, they will attack non-wood products that contain cellulose, such as cardboard and paper products.
Subterranean termites consume only a thin layer of wood when feeding, between 1/32 and 1/8 of an inch deep (about the diameter of a dime). Feeding by the destructive insects ends about 10 to 12 feet below the ground's surface.
If you look at an exposed piece of finished drywall, you may see small pencil lead-sized holes in parallel rows along the backside of the wallboard about one inch apart from each other. These are likely evidence of past subterranean termite activity. Contact a termite control company immediately.
Do Termites Eat Particle Board?
The short answer is yes. Termites need cellulose to survive. Particleboard contains a limited amount of it, so subterranean termites will have a go at it if they are hungry enough. However, it's essential to note that these nuisance pests prefer wood and cardboard over particleboard.
Termites can still damage and even destroy particleboard furniture if they have nothing else to eat. In fact, depending on the quality of your particleboard, some kinds of termites are capable of eating through and digesting the material.
Ways To Get Rid Of Subterranean Termites
Some DIY ways to deter subterranean termites include:
Natural Insecticides
You can use natural termiticides to eliminate a termite problem. Sprinkle boric acid on infested wood products or spray borate solutions into the nest's mouth. You can also use diatomaceous earth, a desiccant that dries off the insect exoskeleton, killing the subterranean termites.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can repel termites from your property. The most popular oil is the orange oil which produces a scent that creates discomfort for the burrowing termites, forcing them to abandon the nest.
Total Termite Control Made Easy In The Bronx
The most effective way to get rid of house termites is to use a professional pest exterminator. Caliber Pest Service can provide experts that can assist in proper termite identification, check for evidence of termite damage, and offer effective treatment solutions.
Our professional exterminators have the experience and equipment to carry out termite eradication. Here at Caliber Pest Service, we use bait stations, the broadcast of products on affected wood, or drilling to apply the product. Our termite treatments come with a one-year guarantee. Contact us today to learn more about our home termite control services.
