Termites In Georgia: Identification & Prevention

The state of Georgia enjoys mild temperatures and adequate rainfall. These conditions are perfect for the growth of insects, including termites. The southern state is one of the most active states in the US for termite infestations. All termites live in large colonies headed by a queen and a king, workers, soldiers, and swarmers. Here Lookout Pest Control, formerly Any Pest Inc., details the different kinds of termites and ways to prevent them.

Kinds Of Termites

Drywood Termites

• These pests live in colonies of around 5,000.
• They are social insects that work together to find food and reproduce.
• Drywood termites prefer hardwood. This makes them a danger to the furniture inside a home, especially older antiques.
• These termites do not require moisture above ground or contact with the soil in order to survive.
• They live and feed entirely inside the wood they consume.

Subterranean Termites

• They are social insects that work together to find food and reproduce.
• They prefer softwood and are attracted to areas that have been softened by rot.
• Subterranean termites get their name because they usually build their colonies below ground.
• They require the moisture that is in the soil in order to survive.
• When they enter a structure, they will do so by eating into the wood that is touching the soil or by constructing mud tubes.
• They live, feed, and travel entirely inside the soil, the wood they are consuming, and their mud tubes.

Formosan Subterranean Termites

• They share all the above characteristics of subterranean termites.
• Formosan termites are a species of subterranean termites that are able to build nests that are lined with their feces. These nests retain the moisture that is needed for their survival and allows them to stay entirely inside the structure they are feeding on without contact with the soil.
• Formosan termites are the most destructive of all subterranean termite species.
• A type of subterranean termite that are highly destructive due to their large colony size
• Less common in Georgia, but have been sighted in the state
• Can enter a home through mud tubes and cracks in the foundation

Signs Of Infestation

• Termite swarms emerging from the structure
• Wings that have shed on windowsills or on the ground
• Small visible fecal pellets
• Mud tubes around the exterior of the building
• Damaged wood, especially in a honeycomb pattern
• Warped window or door frames and sagging floors
• Hollow sounding wood

Common Mistake

Do not mistake a termite for a flying ant. It is an easy mistake to make, but a close inspection of the two insects reveals differences:

• Termites have straight antenna; similar-sized, paired wings; and a thick, straight waist.
• Flying ants have bent antenna; front wings that are longer than their back wings; and a distinct, bent waist.

Prevention & Control

Termites cause more than $5 billion in damages annually in the United States. That’s more than fire, earthquakes, and storms combined! Unfortunately, most homeowner insurance policies won’t cover termite damage. The best way to have true peace of mind is with Lookout Pest Control’s Termite Protection Plan. If your home is not protected against the attack of termites, contact us today for a free consultation and be sure to ask about our special pricing and package discounts.

Termites are wood-eating insects with insatiable appetites that can cause a lot of costly damage in a very short amount of time. Often, these destructive creatures find a choice meal in the form of your beloved home or business. Lookout Pest Control offers Sentricon® Termite Baiting Systems as well as Liquid Barrier Treatments to detect and eliminate termite populations in and around your home or business. Our termite protection plan will give you the peace of mind that you deserve. We have been protecting residential homes and commercial properties from unwanted pests since 1989! When it comes to protecting your home or business from destructive pests, don’t take any chances. Give us a call today!