According to the experts at Terminix, no matter how clean, well kept or new your home is, it's vulnerable to attack by termites. And, since most homeowners' insurance does not cover damage from termites, it's vital to win the war against termites in its earliest stages.

Types of termites

Termites come in two basic varieties: drywood and subterranean.

Drywood: Drywood termites are usually 3/8 inch long, have soft, cylindrical bodies and are pale brown in color. Because they do not require ground water, they prefer to live in above-ground areas like attics and ceilings. A typical colony will have up to 2,500 members.

Subterranean: Subterranean termites are smaller than Drywood termites, and need contact with moist soil to survive. They live underground, building vertical tunnels that look like mud tubes. Because they die if exposed to air for a prolonged time, these termites crawl through the tubes, harvesting food and returning it to the nest. They usually infest foundations and walls, and can enter through cracks in cement slabs and foundations.

Termite infestation prevention

Termites can be aggressive, invasive and voracious. But there are a few things you can do to help protect your home from this threat.

• Store firewood away from the house. Carefully inspect used lumber, furniture and other wooden articles for termite infestations.
• Make sure you can see at least four inches of foundation all around the home. Do not allow siding to extend into the soil, and mulch and soil should not be high enough to cover siding.
• Be sure water drains away from the foundation. Water accumulation near the foundation can provide the moisture termites need to thrive.
• Plug roof or plumbing leaks that can allow termites to live above ground.
• Cover windows, doors and vents with 20-mesh screen.
• In addition, paint exposed wood whenever possible.

Termite treatment

If you or your pest control professional does discover a termite infestation, don't panic. Early discovery and rapid response can minimize damage.

If subterranean termites are found in your home, your pest control professional will probably suggest an exterior baiting system. This non-invasive, easily installed treatment attacks termites in their nest. Bait stations, which are installed around your home, attract worker termites that then return the bait to their nest, and may eventually kill the entire colony. Your Terminix service professional will periodically monitor the bait stations to quickly detect infestation should termites return.

If drywood termites are found in your home, your service professional will probably recommend a tent fumigation. This method involves thoroughly tested, carefully controlled means of dispersing specialized fumigant throughout the infested structure.

To help eliminate termites from your home, schedule a free, no obligation termite inspection from the experts at Terminix.