Do Termites Bite
No one likes to see termites near their home. In fact, if they do, hopefully, they have pest control right on it. Termites cause a lot of problems around the wood of the homes. Do termites bite? Soldier termites can bite humans but they usually don't. Termites are more interested in wood and other plant-based materials and destroying homes. Termites biting people is not common.
Types of Termites
Termites are small little insects that come from underground and create mud tunnels. These mud tunnels or mud tubes allow the termites to crawl straight into your home. There are different types of termites. Let's take a look.
- Drywood Termites – This type loves a drywood habitat. They like dry firewood, furniture, larger and older trees in a forest, and new home developments.
- Dampwood Termites – They love wet trees or ones that are rotted and fallen to the ground due to dampness.
- Subterranean Termites – by digging underground mud tunnels, they gain access to the homes and building. They love the moisture rich areas, just like dampwood termites.
- Winged Termites - Some termites in a colony that is well-developed will have wings and will swarm in warm weather, mate, and then a new colony is created. These flying termites wings will be the same size, bodies are yellow or black and they don't bite.
Here is a video about termites swarming:
What Attracts Termites
Food, water, and shelter are usually key for attracting any type of insect so keeping those away is best.
Termites love wood and cellulose materials. Additionally, firewood, house framing, paper, and lumber attract termites. Unfortunately, this can cause problems with the structure of your home. When it comes to shelter, termites like places that are wet, warm, and dark. This is usually crawlspaces, attic, garage, or firewood that is piled outside the home.
Lastly, water is something that termites (and humans) need. If the gutters or downspouts don't drain properly, then termites will be attracted to the property. Why is this? Well, there is moisture build-up along with high water content and pooling water in the yard. Termites really like this.
Signs of a Termite Bite
How do you know if you have been bitten by a termite? Well, as mentioned above, termites don't usually bite people. They have jaws that are very small and don't go after humans. In fact, if you have a bite, it likely came from another pest. Here are some signs of a bite from an insect:
- itchy
- raised and swollen
- painful
- it is reddish in color
- irritated
See a doctor if the symptoms get worst or don't get better. It may be from an insect that is more dangerous so keeping an eye on it is important.
What If You Have a Termite Bite
The good news is termites don't carry diseases so if by chance you were bitten, which again is rare, it would be mild. If you are bitten by a termite (or another insect) be sure to do the following:
- Use soap and water to wash the area.
- A cold compress can be applied on the bite area if it hurts.
- Watch the bite area for swelling or pain.
- Keep an eye on the area and if the bite looks worse or you develop a fever, contact a doctor.
Dangers of Termites
While termites don't usually bite, they can destroy a home. Also, a colony can do severe structural damage. This is why it is important to keep an eye out for a termite infestation and have a termite treatment done as soon as possible.
How to Prevent an Infestation
The last thing you want is a termite problem. There are several things you can do to keep away an infestation.
- In new construction, build a barrier with concrete foundation. Then, have a space between soil and wood.
- Wood structures need to be sealed when building.
- Proper drainage in the yard
- Don't allow water to build up near the home
- Grading of the land is important to keep water away from the house.
- If you have wood, avoid stacking it near the house.
- Invest in pest control so you can have a termite inspection and let the professionals take a look at your home.
How to Get Rid of Termites
You can use Boracare of Fitpro Aerosol to get rid of Drywood termites. Also, eliminating moisture in the home is another way to get rid of them.
Dampwood termites love homes with leaking pipes and high moisture. To get rid of them, get the moisture and leaks out of the home, just like with Subterranean termites.
Recommended Maintenance
While you are keeping an eye out for termites, take a look around for bed bugs. Bed bugs are nasty critters and you can look for them during the day by using a magnifying glass, flashlight, and open drapes. If you have blotches on your skin or itching, those might be signs of bed bugs in the home. Contact a local pest control company for help.
Another area to look for is a pest infestation. A pest infestation can be obvious if you see droppings, anthills, plant damage, or nesting. If you see any of these, contact your local pest control company to take a look to see what is going on so they can fix it.
Lastly, can you imagine if you are in your home relaxing and you hear squeaky noises coming from the attic? It could be bats. If it is, it is important to take care of them right away. Bats are dangerous and they can carry disease in their urine and droppings.
When to Call a Professional
It is important to have termite protection for your home. Especially in Florida, where homes are made of wood, it is important to keep termites away. Termite protection costs about $58 a month with Gray Pest Control. It is important to have termite protection in your home so you don't end up with an infestation and structural damage. Call a professional company to make sure your home is protected.
Conclusion
Termites don't usually bite, but they can destroy the home. Making sure you and your family are protected is important. Protecting the home is not something the homeowner can do so calling a professional is important. Call on Gray Pest Control for all your pest control needs in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas.