November is a time of thanks. Families gather together for their Thanksgiving Day celebration with turkey and all the trimmings. Your family might choose a different cuisine, such as Asian, Indian, or Middle Eastern. It doesn’t matter what your meal consists of when you have your loved ones around. Another tight-knit family that enjoys good meals together is the humble termite. These wood-borers make a feast of your home all year long. By scheduling a termite inspection of your San Mateo home, you can rest assured that you won’t have to set extra plates for your uninvited guests.

Feeding Habits of Termites – You Might be Surprised

When we hear the word termite, most of us think the only thing they eat is wood. That is partially true. They seek out cellulose material that is not only found in wood but also in plants, carpets, insulation, cardboard, sheetrock paper, fabric, and animal feces. Here are some more interesting facts about the dietary habits of termites:

  1. They Have Bacteria in Their Guts: They have bacteria and protozoa in their stomachs that work together to produce a special enzyme to break down cellulose. Termites receive nutrition from the sugar by-product of digesting cellulose. Because immature termites do not have the needed bacteria and protozoa, worker termites feed them the sugar substance via mouth-to-mouth feedings.
  2. They Have Different Diets Depending on the Type of Bug: That’s right. While all species like cellulose, they like it differently.
    • Drywood Termites – These bugs love any wood that remains dry. They prefer to nest aboveground and are happy to infest lumberyards and utility poles. Think about your deck, fence, furniture, and wood in your home’s structure. They will enter your home through your attic or wooden shingles.
    • Dampwood and Subterranean Termites – These two types love to munch on decaying or damp wood. They build mud tubes to travel from the soil into your home so that they are not exposed to the air. If an infestation is found, it is often an indication of a water leak in the area.
  3. They Are Random in Their Searching Strategy: Because they do not have eyes, worker termites cannot ‘see’ where wood should be, so they take a different strategy. They will tunnel in the soil randomly until they find wood and other materials. They will follow rocks and roots for cracks or gaps. They will follow moisture in the ground. They are attracted to fungi, and they send out large numbers of workers to search for food. While they are searching, they leave behind a chemical trail that leads more help their way when they hit the jackpot.

Stop Unwanted Pests with Regular Inspections from Times Up Termite

Save the drumstick for your favorite uncle, and rest easy that your home has no uninvited guests this Thanksgiving when you contact Times Up Termite for a termite inspection. Our team will arrive ready to inspect your San Mateo home thoroughly. If wood-chewing bugs are found, they will offer you a variety of options to eradicate them. One option is the eco-friendly, reduced-risk pesticide, Altriset. It is suitable for homes with children, pets, or pregnant moms. Give us a call today to find out more.

Call 510-568-7200 to speak with our team of experienced, licensed professionals at Times Up Termite, Inc. You can also contact us online to request a free termite inspection in San Mateo.