They have special enzymes, bacteria, and protozoa in their guts that allow them to digest cellulose (organic fibrous material in wood and plants). The largest subterranean termite colonies can
eat up to a pound of wood per day
. This damage, however, often goes unnoticed for many years.
How long does it take for termites to destroy a house?
With about 2 million termites working in the right condition they can cause significant damage within the first few months. A home can be totally
destroyed in a year or two
.
How much damage can termites do?
Each year, termites and similar pests cause an estimated
$30 billion
in damage to crops and man-made structures in the U.S. A homeowner who discovers termite damage will spend an average of $3,000 to repair the damage.
How damaging can termites be?
Termites can
cause severe damage to human homes
Because termites feed primarily on wood, they are capable of compromising the strength and safety of an infested structure. Termite damage can render structures unlivable until expensive repairs are conducted.
How much do termites damage devalue a home?
Termites can devalue your home by
up to 25%
. Widely regarded as one of the most destructive pests, termites cause $5 billion in property damage each year.
How can u tell if u have termites?
- Discolored or drooping drywall.
- Peeling paint that resembles water damage.
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
- Small, pinpoint holes in drywall.
- Buckling wooden or laminate floor boards.
- Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor.
Do termites spread quickly?
Termites take a very short time to spread
. Within a few days, they can multiply to what’s considered an infestation. Homeowners need to take every percaussion possible, and be sure to act quickly in order to protect their homes.
Is it OK to live in a house with termites?
Buildings or houses that are made of wood
can be unfit to live in if termites have already caused considerable damage to its foundations
, beams and other supports of the structure. … This is considered a serious safety issue as once a solid wood structure turns weak and brittle.
Can you ever really get rid of termites?
Use a chemical termite barrier treatment
Danny says the best product on the market for treating termite infestations on homes where the foundations are built into the ground (eg. slab homes) is
Termidor
. Termidor is a chemical treatment which does not repel termites, yet is poisonous once ingested.
Is it bad to live in a house with termites?
Termites are not known to carry diseases harmful to humans
, either. However, people who are living in homes infested by termites may suffer from allergic reactions or even asthma attacks. Heating or ventilation systems can especially contribute to the spread of irritating particles and dust from termite nests.
What attracts termites to a house?
While all termites are attracted to
wood
, they each have specific preferences. … Homeowners might unknowingly bring termites inside in firewood or untreated lumber. In addition to wood inside the home, termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors.
Do termites bite humans?
Essentially, termites definitely bite wood and do attack other insects, but
they do not bite people
. Although homeowners experiencing an infestation should not be concerned about receiving bites from termites, professional extermination methods should be sought and implemented to protect the structure of your home.
Do termites eat drywall?
Drywall, also called sheetrock, is used for walls and ceilings in homes. Since drywall is partially made of cellulose,
termites can readily feed on the paper in drywall
and cause damage. …
What happens if you don’t do anything about termites?
If a termite infestation is left untreated,
it could literally bring your house down
. The good news is termite signs can be easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for. Spotting a problem early on will make it easier to get the proper termite extermination your home needs.
Is it hard to sell a house that has had termites?
Not only is it challenging to sell a house with a termite problem, but
it could also be unsafe to live in
. To get rid of termites and fix the damage caused can turn into a costly construction job, especially if having to replace support beams, walls, wood floors, and more if needed.
Is termites a deal breaker?
So, when is it a deal-breaker? In most cases,
termite damage shouldn’t be a deal-breaker
, unless you find that: … — There is extensive and unresolved structural damage to the home caused by termites. In both cases, you also have the option of using newfound information to negotiate with the seller and their realtor.
