The first thing that comes to mind when anyone thinks about termites is pest control services. No one wants termites around their property. Pest control services can eliminate termites and keep them from returning. It's almost impressive how resilient they can be, though you're probably less impressed and more stressed when they're in your home. Here are a few facts about termites that make them a particularly annoying pest.

1. They Work Quickly and Efficiently

Termites are what are known as decomposers. They break down plant and wood materials to clean up the forest. The wood and plant material they break down is valuable nutrients that feed other organisms. This valuable service helps the ecosystem, but not your property. As long as termites are away from human structures, their ability to devour wood and plant materials is beneficial. However, if they're in your home or business, they're decomposing your home. Unfortunately, they are very good at what they do and can make very quick work of your property's structure. That's why it's important to call pest control services the moment you suspect termites may be present.

2. They Are Social

Termites live in colonies. These colonies are made up of members working toward the colony's good. The three castes in a termite colony include soldiers defending the colony, workers collecting food for the colony, and reproductives charged with producing and caring for offspring. These complex colonies can grow to hundreds of thousands of members, and it has been reported that some colonies have numbers in the millions. Most of them live in wooden structures or under the ground, exactly where you can't see them. Of course, this is bad news for any homeowner discovering termites around their property. The ones you see are likely just the tip of the iceberg, and there may be many others below the surface eating your home.

3. They Can Communicate With Colony Members

Termites communicate with each other to target their next meal. While they may not say, "Hey Bob, that window frame looks delicious," they do lead each other through vibrations, chemical signals (pheromones), and some sounds to their next meal. Luckily, pest control services have methods to ensure that the next meal is not your window frame.

Termites are strategic in their meal planning. They can spread the "word" about your property to other colonies. Termite colonies rarely fight with each other to protect their food source, which means multiple colonies can live on your property in harmony. Naturally, this is only more stressful for property owners. Once one colony finds your property, others will too, which is why you need a pest control service to implement a plan that will both get rid of the current termites and stop others from setting up shop. Without the proper methods, colonies will continue to be attracted to your home even if you get rid of the original one.

4. Termites and Ants Work Together

Ants will protect termite colonies from predators. Termite colonies have been known to provide food to ant colonies in exchange for protection, and you'll often see both colonies living near each other. The only real bright side of this is that one can indicate the other, so you have a warning sign. If you're seeing ants, get your home checked for termites and vice versa.

On the not-so-bright side, if you have both, you need to get rid of both. Ants are similar to termites in that they communicate with other colonies and can draw even more ants into your home. With both termites and ants calling to their friends, your home can be overrun very quickly. Be sure to work with pest control services to remedy the problem. They've likely had experience with both ant and termite infestations and can implement ways to keep them from disrupting your home.

5. Termites Cause Tremendous Damage

To be fair, you likely already knew this. However, the termite's ability to break down cellulose in wood is almost fascinating, if only it weren't so stress-inducing for homeowners. This trait can cost humans a pretty penny, as well as their sanity. According to One Desk, termites in the United States alone cause about $5 billion in property damage annually. Professional pest control services can even the playing field by using proven, effective methods of getting rid of termites. These voracious eaters act quickly, so you must stay one step ahead of them at all times.

6. Not Every Termite Eats Wood

Most species of termites eat wood, but a handful don't. Some species of termites eat fungi or insects. However, in most cases, if you see termites hanging around your home, they are the wood-eating variety. Termites, like all insects, will set up camp where there is a food supply. Pest control services can determine which type they are and develop a plan of action from there.

7. They Are Highly Adaptable

Termites can live in a variety of habitats. You can find termites in forests, wooded areas, deserts, suburbs, and urban areas. They are highly adaptable insects. Remember, they have been around for 250 million years, according to Wikipedia, so they're nothing if not resilient. They can withstand extreme temperatures, flood waters, and even some chemicals. In fact, many of them can regrow limbs after they've lost them. That's why you need experienced exterminators to get rid of them. They'll know which methods work and which don't. Even if you manage to get rid of the nest, you need a professional to ensure they don't come back.

8. Termites Don't Sleep

Termites work around the clock. They never sleep and they work their entire life non-stop. Because of this, the damage they cause can happen quickly. According to our experts, termites live one to two years on average, which is over 700 days of gnawing away at your home. Due to their determination and resilience, they'll quickly thrive if you let them. That's why it's important to call in professional exterminators to treat the problem as soon as you notice it.

Effective Termite Treatment

The best termite treatment comes from professional pest control services. To fully rid your home of termites, it takes a multi-layered approach. The treatment methods often include a termiticide (a special pesticide that is formulated to kill termites), barrier methods, termite bait traps, and wood treatments. The primary goal is to keep them from coming back. They're relatively easy to kill, but if that's all you do, pheromones still remain that will continue to attract more.

A professional can identify the best approach for treating termites around your home. They can locate the nest, design a treatment plan to rid your property of the problem, and ensure that it is protected moving forward. Termites are particularly annoying insects because they are very difficult to control on your own. They make light work of eating your home, quickly causing thousands of dollars in damage. If you suspect you have a termite problem, acting fast and getting professional help is essential to minimize costs.

A periodic termite inspection from a trusted pest control company can help to detect termites early on. Early interventions are what minimize the damage. A protection plan is an easy way to ensure that you never have to find out what termites can do. Call Mares Exterminating today to see what's included in our termite protection plan.