May 17th, 2014 10:27 PM by Dan Howard
Greg Bauman of the National Pest Management Association explains the importance of learning about these pests. He says "I've personally seen a home with $1 million in repair costs. It is not unheard of to see termite damage in the tens of thousands of dollars"
Understanding the Natural Purpose and Ways of Insects that Live to Devour Your Home
Termites and other wood destroying insects are one of Mother Nature's recycling mechanisms. When trees die in the woods, mold and wood destroying insects turn the dead wood into topsoil so that new plants and trees can grow. That is a great plan, except when the dead trees are the ones that were used to build your home.
Most infestations start where there is wet wood. It can be from a wet basement, leak where a concrete patio meets the house wall. a poorly sealed door sill, or a plumbing leak. The wood destroying insects in Western PA need water and lots of it.
Wood destroying insect infestations start with a nearby 'successful" but crowded insect nest. The original nest could be in a dead tree, its roots or a woodpile in your yard. The initial nest cay also be in your neighbor's house, or the nearby woods. This established nest will send out a queen and additional insects to help the "new town" get established.
This entourage that is made up of "reproductives" commonly referred to as swarmers. These are insects that temporarily have wings to carry them out to colonize. They lose the wings at their new home. Think of the wings as their Conestoga Wagons to the wild west or Shuttle to the space station. If you see something that may be members of a new colony, capture some of the insects in a jar to show a pest control professional.