Termites are wood-eating, social insects. They evolved about 250 million years ago. They have acquired some persistent survival skills. Termites and other insects play a valuable role in the ecology of the forest by helping break down dead logs and branches to earch-enriching mulch. However, they see no difference between wood lying in a forest and wood in our home.
Generally speaking, there are three types of termites in North America, Dampwood, Drywood and Subterranean. The eastern subterranean termite is probably the most widespread and destructive species of termite on the North American continent. Every state in the U.S., except Alaska, has some degree of activity. In Ontario, we have over 30 municipalities reporting termite activity. At this time subterranean termite is the only significant problem in Toronto Area.
Temites have a thin, soft exoskeleton (outer skin) and will readily dry out and die in less than 24 hours if exposed to dry conditions. They therefore prefer damp soil. Except for brief flights to establish new colonies, termites spend their entire lives within their gallery (tunnel) system which is either in wood or in the soil. Consequently they are rarely seen. While entering and feeding on the inside of wood, termites may leave the surface shell of the wood intact. Their presence, therefore, may not be discovered before considerable damage has already occurred. The most common evidence of subterranean termites are the earth tubes that they build for shelter between the ground and the source of wood on basement and foundation walls. The shelter tubes are about 1 cm in width.
Picture: Termite shelter tubes on foundation wall
Picture: Termite shleter tube on floor joist
Tough questions because the answers depend on many variables such as: the size of the colony, the number of colony in the area, the geopraphic loation, even the kind of wood and number of house, tree attacked. It takes several years for an subterranean termite colony to reach a mature size of 60,000 workers. This colony will eat only 1/5 of an ounce of wood a day. At this rate, the colony could consumer more than one foot of a pine 2x4 board in six months. In the winter months, termites are less active and the amount of feeding damage drops off as well. However, some termite colony may reach a size of over one million workers.
Control of subterranean termites can be accomplished very easily in most caases. It requires removal of wood debris from around or under the house and create of a termiticide barrier by a licensed pest control specialist.
Termiticide is injected into the soil around the house, through the basement floor and foudnation walls, posts or other penetrations in the basement floor. The treatment does not kill the termites but simply prevents them from getting into the house. The termite still live in the soil around the house.
Plugged holes roughly the size of a quarter (spaced from 25 cm. to 50 cm. apart), in sidewalks, driveway or/and on the foundation walls throughout the house, is evidence of termite chemical treatment or/and termite infestation (occasionally, treatment may have been percautionary).
Picture: Termite Treatment holes in foundation wall