Termite Identification & Prevention

Termites are unique organisms that have their nutritional requirement met through the cellulose they consume from pieces of wood, wooden structures, and other organic materials.

In our area, we have two species of termites that people should be aware of and work to keep out of our homes; the subterranean termite and the drywood termite.

Subterranean termites are the most widespread termite species living across the country. These termites have high moisture needs and prefer to feed on wet or decaying wood. Subterranean termite colonies are large and contain hundreds of thousands of members.

Drywood termites, unlike subterranean termites, have low moisture needs and prefer to feed on dry wood with low moisture levels. Their colonies are smaller than subterranean termite colonies, but they are efficient feeders and unwanted, destructive pests. Drywood termite colonies typically have numbers in the hundreds or thousands.

The best way to describe termites is destructive. They don’t bite or sting people, nor are they known to transmit diseases to people. However, termites and their feeding habits are quite harmful to our personal belongings, the structures of our buildings, and, unfortunately, our bank accounts.

In our homes, drywood termites are most likely to cause damage to things like flooring, wooden furniture, banisters, beams, and bed frames. On the other hand, subterranean termites aren’t as likely to attack our belongings but will cause significant damage to wooden joists and structural wood. 

Termites can become a problem in any of our Bronx homes.

Drywood termites often enter our homes inside wood or wooden furniture already infested with adults or their eggs.

Worker subterranean termites leave their nest each day to forage for food. As they move through the soil, they will enter our homes through small cracks they discover in the foundation or pieces of wood making contact with the ground.

Where exactly you will find termites nesting largely depends on the species. Drywood termites will establish themselves inside the wood they are eating. Subterranean termites like to build their nests underground in damp soil.

Even though subterranean termites have a longer commute to their food sources than drywood colonies, the sheer size of their colonies allows them to cause more damage. Each year termites cause more than five billion dollars in damages to structures across the country.

Being proactive and partnering with a professional is the best way to ensure you won’t find termites in your home.

Get rid of termites from your Bronx property with the assistance of the professionals at Caliber Pest Service. Our certified & trained professional service providers will work closely with you to meet your property’s unique pest control needs.

Our Bronx termite control includes a thorough inspection, effective treatments, and follow-up visits to help solve your property’s termite problems. If you are ready to learn more about termite control in the Bronx, New York, please call us today!

We want to provide you with a few easy-to-follow tips to help you reduce the chance of termites becoming a problem on your property.

• Reduce excess moisture in and around your home.
• Make sure to ventilate your home appropriately.
• Eliminate soil to wood contact on your property. 
• Create a crushed rock barrier between soil or mulch and your foundation. 
• Fix any cracks or other small openings leading into your home.
• Take care when bringing wooden furniture, flooring, or lumber into your house.

For more information about termite control, contact us at Caliber Pest Service!