Finding out your home has termites can be scary. You typically can’t see them; you can’t hear them, and usually, only a trained pest control technician can find signs of an infestation.
Termites are found throughout the US, Mexico, and parts of Canada. They eat wood and may also destroy paper products such as books, cardboard boxes, and furniture. Even buildings with steel framing and masonry walls are targets because of the wooden doors, window frames, support beams, cabinets, and shelving.
These wood-eating insects use their scissor-like jaws to chew through walls, floors, and ceilings 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This means that a termite infestation can cause serious property damage and compromise the structural stability of your home in a relatively short amount of time.
Athens, Chillicothe, Columbus, Delaware, Dublin, Gahanna, Grove City, Hilliard, Lancaster, Marion, Marysville, Mt Vernon, Newark, Pataskala, Pickerington, Portsmouth, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Whitehall
Termites cannot be controlled with do-it-yourself measures.
Your Abell Technician has detailed knowledge and is trained to understand the unique biology and behaviors of termites. Technicians use state-of-the-art equipment required for the successful detection, extermination, and control of termites.
If you've had a close encounter with pests and need some answers, just ask Abell. We’re on it.
The following present the biggest threat to homeowners in the U.S.:
Subterranean termites are found in every state except Alaska. Their colonies usually are located in the soil. They build distinctive "mud tubes" to gain access to food sources i.e. structural wood and to protect themselves from open air. Subterranean termite colonies are always connected to the soil and/or close to a moisture source. Subterranean termites are by far the most widely distributed species in the U.S.
Formosan termites are subterranean termites which usually live in the ground and use “mud tubes” to invade structures. They are the most voracious, aggressive, and devious of over 2,000 termite species known to science. Formosan termites are the most destructive species in the U.S. Formosans are organized into huge underground colonies in intricate mud nests. They may also construct secondary carton nests of soil and wood cemented together with saliva and feces. Because of their aggressive nature, Formosan termites are difficult to control once they infest a structure. Formosan termites are found in Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, and California.
Dampwood termites infest wood with a high moisture content. Dampwood termites are normally larger in size than other termite species. They do not usually infest structures because of the low moisture content of wood in structures, however, care must be taken to avoid attracting dampwood termites to a structure. Most Dampwood termite species do not require soil-to-wood contact. They usually found in dock and wharf pilling, logs, dead trees, fence posts and utility poles. Dampwood termites are found in Pacific coastal and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid southwest, and southern Florida.
Drywood termites infest dry wood and do not require contact with the soil, unlike the subterranean and Formosan termites. This termite species often establishes nests in roof materials and wooden wall supports and can infest dead wood that may be around homes. They can establish a colony in hard, dry wood found inside a home such as furniture, door and window frame, trim, and picture frames. Drywood termites are found in the southern tier states, from South Carolina through the Gulf Coast and into the coastal areas of California. They are occasionally found in other States when infested wood e.g. furniture is moved into these areas.
It is not always possible for an untrained individual to see evidence of termites; however, homeowners can sometimes identify a potential termite problem by being vigilant in and around the home. If you see any of the following, it’s time to contact a pest professional who can immediately determine the extent of the problem and provide a recommendation about the appropriate course of treatment.
