What are the main termites types? Do you know your termites? You need to know some basic facts about these insects if you are to protect your home and yard against unwanted invaders. This article will discuss the three most prominent types of termites found in the United States.
Living in highly organized colonies with distinct social groups which have particular duties and functions, are dry wood, subterranean, and Formosan termites. These are the three species of termites found in the United States which despite their diversity share a common enemy -- ants. All three groups of insects get their food from cellulose which is found in wood and wood products.
As their name implies, subterranean termites live beneath the ground. It is estimated that they cause 95% of the over three billion dollars in damage caused by termites each year to residential and business properties. Through a system of complex tunnels which they construct, these insects make their way to the surface for feeding.
Formosan termites are especially threatening to residences and forests. This is because, unlike dry wood termites which inhabit dead and dying trees and wood, these subterranean insects attack healthy trees. Experts say it may take up to two years from the time the colony establishes residency to discover this damage. That is why they are more dangerous than dry wood termites which live above the ground in dead trees and in houses and furniture made of wood and wood products. Formosan are considered late comers to the United States because they arrived after World War II on military vessels returning from duty in Asia, particularly East Asia.
All three groups of termites in the USA swarm in the early spring. However, not all members of the colony do so as is commonly misunderstood. Only the group known as alates get to enjoy this activity -- the purpose of which is to find mates with whom they go off and establish new colonies. - 30446
Living in highly organized colonies with distinct social groups which have particular duties and functions, are dry wood, subterranean, and Formosan termites. These are the three species of termites found in the United States which despite their diversity share a common enemy -- ants. All three groups of insects get their food from cellulose which is found in wood and wood products.
As their name implies, subterranean termites live beneath the ground. It is estimated that they cause 95% of the over three billion dollars in damage caused by termites each year to residential and business properties. Through a system of complex tunnels which they construct, these insects make their way to the surface for feeding.
Formosan termites are especially threatening to residences and forests. This is because, unlike dry wood termites which inhabit dead and dying trees and wood, these subterranean insects attack healthy trees. Experts say it may take up to two years from the time the colony establishes residency to discover this damage. That is why they are more dangerous than dry wood termites which live above the ground in dead trees and in houses and furniture made of wood and wood products. Formosan are considered late comers to the United States because they arrived after World War II on military vessels returning from duty in Asia, particularly East Asia.
All three groups of termites in the USA swarm in the early spring. However, not all members of the colony do so as is commonly misunderstood. Only the group known as alates get to enjoy this activity -- the purpose of which is to find mates with whom they go off and establish new colonies. - 30446
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