Termites are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. They invade your home, live in the walls, floor and attic. They do significant damage to your property that can cost you a fortune. The worst part is that serious damage can be done before you even know they’ve invaded your home. For this reason, it’s important to know a little about termites and how to look for signs that your home may be infested.

Listed here are the three main types of termites found in the United States:

1. Subterranean Termites – This is the most common termite in the US and they’re brown and black. They live deep underground and millions of these tiny litter creatures could be living underneath your lawn and you wouldn’t even know it. They draw moisture out of the ground where they live but they will feed on the wood in your home until it’s destroyed.
2. Formosan Termites – These are a light brown to a reddish color and they were introduced in the US from the Orient. This termite is very aggressive and they infest and live in the wood of your home. In fact, they are so aggressive they could easily destroy a small house in less than a year.
3. Drywood Termites – The drywood termite is a red or light brown color and since they don’t need as much moisture as the subterranean termite, they tend to make their home in the wood and other materials used in your home. They can do a lot of damage and they’re not usually detected until it’s too late, unless you begin remodeling your home and notice the damage.

All three of these termites are very small creatures with four large wings, they’re transparent and their antennae will be straight. They are so small that it’s hard to detect them unless you’re searching for them.

There are different treatments for each type of termite and they are listed below:

• Subterranean termites – Use soil treatments and bait treatments.
• Formosan termites – Use fumigation for the most effective treatment.
• Drywood termites – Fumigation is the most effective treatment for this type of termite.

A method called “microwave treatments” is very effective in killing termites that live in your walls. It’s called this because a flat but large microwave machine is actually put next to the walls and it will kill any termites inside the walls when it’s turned on.

If you treat the wood in your home you can help to prevent termites from entering in the first place. Use this in conjunction with bait and soil treatment and you should be able to protect your home from these nasty little creatures.

Signs of an infestation:

• Small holes in the siding of your home
• Mud tubes
• Rotting wood
• Stains on the ceiling and walls

If you believe that your home may be infested by termites, it’s vital that you get it treated. There are many pest control services that can take measures to eliminate these pesky little creatures and reclaim your home. However, don’t forget to keep a check on your home in the future. Termites can re-infest your home at any time.