ANDY'S TERMITE
HELP CENTER
What Would You Like to Know?
Browse below to review the answers to some of the most common questions that we receive. If you still have questions or would like more information, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to assist you.
HOW DESTRUCTIVE ARE TERMITES?
There are two types of termites, but one is much more destructive than the other. Drywood termites live in the wood, have smaller, colonies, and work very slow. They also tend to avoid eating a wood member until it is structurally unsound and have been known to eat very little of any wood member that has a lot of stress on it. Therefore, they are not very destructive and take many years to do any significant damage. Subterranean termites live in the ground and use wood as a food source. Their colonies are much larger and they eat a much larger quantity of wood. Since they do not live in the wood they are not nearly as concerned about its structural soundness and reinforce much of the areas that they are feeding on with dirt and mud, which eventually dries and crumbles. Subterranean termites can work relatively fast and can be very destructive.
DO ALL TERMITES FLY?
Yes, but different types of termites swarm under different climate conditions. In Southern California, we have two types of termites. Drywood termites live in the wood and typically fly in late summer and early fall during hot days. Subterranean termites live in the ground and typically swarm after it rains and when the sun comes out which causes a high humidity condition at the ground level. The swarming process is nature’s way of spreading termite infestations in forests which is the process they replicate in neighborhoods.
WHAT ARE GOOD TERMITES AND WHY ARE THEY HERE?
Termites are a very important part of how nature recycles dead trees. All living tissue is designed to decay and, in most cases, turned back into soil. This puts nutrients back into the soil and makes rum for new growth. Termites are just trying to do their job. Unfortunately, they do not distinguish the difference between a dead tree in the forest or deadwood that we build homes from.