Termites come in a large variety; however, there are three main types common in the United States. Learning the different types can help you determine what type of termites you have and how to get rid of them.

What Are The Three Common Types Of Termites?

The three most common types of termites in the U.S. are drywood, dampwood, and subterranean.

Drywood termites live in wood, like dead trees, hardwood floors, and timber. They are capable of causing extension home damage.

Dampwood termites rarely live in homes or other structural buildings. They require the moisture that these structures don't have.

Subterranean termites live in soil and build nests. The nests are made of mud tubes and located on wood sources, like fences, trees, and wood in houses.

How Do You Know Which Type You Have?

Drywood and subterranean are the two types most often found in structural timber. If you can catch one and look at it under a magnifying glass you can look for differences in the two types. Subterranean is solid black and drywood termites are solid red.

The area where they live can also help you tell which type of termite you're dealing with. Drywood termites live in the southernmost united states from California to Virginia. Subterranean termites live in every state in the U.S. except Alaska.

Sometimes homeowners confuse ants with termites. There are differences that help you determine which insect is in your home. The colors, wings, and bodies. Ants are dark brown or black and red. The wings of ants are different sizes while termite wings differ in size.

What Attracts Termites To Your Home?

Wood is the main reason termites invade homes. Moisture is the second reason. When wood from your home comes into contact with moisture from cracks in the foundation or other areas of the home, termites easily make their way in.

Different types of conditions attract different termite species. This means your location and home conditions play a role in how likely you are to get termites, and how you deal with infestations.

Is Once Termite Species Worse Than Another?

The subterranean termites pose the biggest threat. They cause the most damage to the home and are more common than the drywood species.

The colonies also quickly develop into large numbers. So, this species can quickly infest the home and cause major damage if not exterminated.

Termites are a threat to your home and can cause significant damage. If you suspect your home has these pests, call a termite removal professional right away.

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