Termite Facts
Some Termite Facts You May Not Know
Though most of us merely feel a pang of disgust and see a flash of dollar signs when brought face to face with a termite colony, these termite facts may help us to understand a little bit better what we are up against. Starting with the most daunting of all termite facts, we need to understand that we are not alone in our plight against them. Termites cause over two billion dollars worth of property damage per year in The United States alone. The two most prominent types of termites that we deal with in America are certain species of either subterranean or dry wood termites. Facts about the environments in which these termites dwell will give you a great head start toward fending them off.
Our next set of termite facts has to do with gross population and weight. Collectively, and you may need to sit down in order to absorb this information thoroughly, the weight of all of the termites in the world is Greater than the collective weight of all the humans in the world. And as if that isn’t one of the most alarming termite facts you have ever heard, just try to wrap your mind around this next one. Termites never stop eating. They eat twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. In this light, it isn’t hard to imagine how the above financial figure has come to be standard. With the exception of the moist wood boring termite species, who don’t tend to be as much of an issue unless your foundation is already in peril, termites are by far the most damaging and costly pests known to modern day man.
Termite facts having to do with the obvious destruction and headache that their pesky infestations aside, these insects are very social throughout their lives, and take the hands on approach to work, cleaning, and rearing the young ones within the nest. This survival in numbers tactic has seen them through millions of years here on earth, and they see no reason to change it any time soon. A common dry wood boring termite colony will produce upwards of 3,000 members, while the subterranean species are prone to massive population trends which can topple three or four million. Yes, per colony. A glance at the termite facts revolving around the dreaded Formosa species will have you even more appalled. These menacing little subterranean insects enjoy the humid climates to the very south of the country, and their infestations are nearly impossible to destroy.
Remembering these termite facts may help you to determine the lengths that you will need to go to in order to counter a costly attack.