Introduction
Curious what types of termites are around the Boise area? Termites are social insects with a caste system consisting of soldiers, workers, and reproductives. The reproductives are the only members which can mate. Workers feed the other caste members and tend to the young. A colony of termites usually consists of about 3,000 individuals, although there is no limit on how many colonies can inhabit one area.
The termite is one of the most destructive harbingers of destruction to houses and farms in the world. There are over 1,000 different species of termite in the world with all but six found in Africa. They can grow up to four inches long and be dark brown or even yellow in color. The queens are usually the only members of the colony that are winged. These winged termites will fly off to start new colonies in other areas, while worker termites stay behind to care for the young and maintain the colony.
These insects live underground in the soil where they eat cellulose material like wood, paper, or cardboard. The life cycle of this insect is relatively short, with egg-laying taking place every three days at a rate between 20 to 40 eggs per day.
The four main types of termites in Boise
There are four different types of termites that people have to worry about. The first type is the Subterranean termite, this is the most common type of termite that you will find in the United States. Secondly, there are Drywood termites, these are not very common because they live in areas where it is very dry. Thirdly, there are Dampwood Termites which need a lot of moisture to survive, they can be found in coastal areas or near swamps. Finally, there are Formosan Termites which mainly live in the southern part of the U.S., but can also be found in Hawaii and China.
What are subterranean termites?
Subterranean termites, more than any other termite species, may do the most damage. To reach food sources and defend themselves from the outside air, these termites construct characteristic tunnels known as “mud tubes.” They devour wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week, biting off little chunks of wood one at a time using their saw-toothed teeth. Subterranean termites may wreak havoc on a building’s structure over time, leading to its eventual collapse. Subterranean termites are a concern to households across the United States, since they may be found in every state except Alaska.
How to get rid of drywood termites in Boise
Termites can be avoided by sealing any gaps and crevices around the foundation of the structure of your property. Storing firewood and trash wood at least 20 feet away from the house is another drywood termite control strategy. Inspect the property for signs of drywood termites on a regular basis, giving specific attention to window and doorframes, trim, eaves, siding, and attics.
What are dampwood termites?
There is no worker caste in Boise dampwood termite colonies, as there is in drywood termite colonies. The nymph dampwood termites look after the colony’s monarchs and queens and feed the soldier caste. Termites construct a succession of chambers in wood that are linked by tunnels with smooth, sandpaper-like walls.
What are formosan termites?
Formosan termites are a subterranean termite species in Boise, ID and they have 3 different versions: alates (reproductive), soldiers, and workers. These termites are scary – definitely the most aggressive and smart of the over 2,000 termite species known to science. They tend to eat through wood, flooring, and even wallpaper without ever being seen.
