The word termite may drudge visions of cartoon figures eating a home in 3.5 seconds. This visual may be a slight exaggeration in time, but the damage is real. These wood-chewers gnaw away at homes every year to the tune of billions of dollars in structural damage. Yes, these bugs have a wood fetish which means, when they have the opportunity, they will eat your floor joists, rafters, and other structures. Once they find a cozy place (i.e., your house) to build a colony, they will work tirelessly to accomplish their homemaking goals. The best way to prevent an infestation is to keep wood piles away from foundations, fix any water leaks, and have regular termite inspections conducted on your Union City home.

9 Fun Facts About Termites

You might be surprised about the secret life of termites. Even though you may not want them in your home, Mother Nature gave them a purpose. Wow your friends at your next party with these fun facts about the same bugs that eat homes every day:

  1. They Are Natural Decomposers: Termites eat dead trees as they decay on the ground, which leads to improved and aerated soil. The forest is better because of them.
  2. These Bugs Have Bugs: Well…they have microorganisms to help them digest all that wood. The microorganisms help break down the cellulose and plant fibers.
  3. Co-Parenting Is a Thing: Termite kings don’t leave the child-rearing to the Queen. They are hands-on dads that help feed their offspring predigested food.
  4. They Eat Each Other’s Fecal Matter: You may not want to share this fun fact around the dinner table, but it is true. Termites are not born with digestive organisms, so they eat each other’s poop.
  5. The Majority Are Blind: You don’t need eyes to see in the dark, especially when you can do your work by instinct alone. The reproductive bugs have the eyesight to see when they fly in search of a mate and a new colony.
  6. They Communicate Through Pheromones: The chemical scents they share, help others in the colony know where to go. Also, each colony has its own scent.
  7. They Care About Grooming: Termites are clean bugs. They have to be when they live in large colonies. Harmful bacteria and parasites can wipe them out fast.
  8. Termites and Ants Are Enemies: You won’t see a termite and ant sitting down for a picnic. They are known to war over food sources.
  9. The Queen Lives For Years: Some bugs do well to live 24 hours. Not so with the Queen. She can live between 30 and 50 years. Imagine how many eggs she can lay over her lifetime. Hint: it can be in the millions. Imagine that family reunion gnawing at your house!

Keep Termites at Bay with Frequent Termite Inspections in Union City

Leave termites to do their thing in the wild. Depend on Times Up Termite to inspect your home and offer solutions to eradicate infestations. Our well-trained technicians will provide you with the best options for your situation. We use the eco-friendly, reduced-risk pesticide Altriset for homes with children, pets, or pregnant moms. Another high-quality product we suggest is Trelona bait traps from BASF to rid your home of the wood-chewers and avoid further damage. Want to learn more? Contact us today.

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 Union City.