3 Things Termites Need To Survive

Termites are a tough species. No, they can’t survive a nuclear blast, but they invade roughly 5 million homes and cause $5 billion in property damage yearly, the National Pest Management Association estimates. A large reason termites invade so many homes is that homes and other structures provide the three things termites need to survive: food, moisture, and shelter. 

Knowing what to look for is the first step in preventing termites. Here’s what they need to survive. 

Food

Termites chew through wood as food. The most common species of termite in Georgia is the Subterranean termite. These termites live in the soil and move into structures by consuming the structural wood. Termites can squeeze themselves through gaps as small as 1/16 inch. Do your best to eliminate areas where structural wood directly comes into contact with the soil around your home. This can help stop mud tubes and tunnels from forming, which can lead to structural damage if left alone.

Moisture

Like humans, termites also need a certain amount of moisture to survive. They thrive in damp areas around your home, like poorly insulated attics and crawl spaces. Dehumidifiers can help combat this. Be sure to also always look for mold, as that’s a sure sign of a damp area!

Shelter

As mentioned above, termites can squeeze into a 1/16 inch gap. Word of a new susceptible structure will travel through the colony fast. Once inside, termites don’t leave until the wood is gone. That’s why termite damage repair can get very expensive, very quickly. The best termite control method we can recommend to protect your home is a powerful preventative method, like the Sentricon® System.