Termites are one of a homeowner’s biggest fears; understandably so, considering they cause over $5 billion in damage each year. Because they spend the majority of their time underground, often visible only during swarm season, termites tend to be one of those "out of sight, out of mind" pests. Unfortunately, their mysterious nature leaves room for a lot of misinformation surrounding behavior and biology. Sink your teeth into these termite facts.

Myth #1: If I had termites, I’d know it.

Chewing through wood 24 hours a day sounds like noisy work, but termites move quietly. They are also very discreet, hiding in small cracks and crevices, requiring an opening only the size of the edge of a credit card to gain access. Termites prefer the dark and thus are less likely to be spotted unless you know exactly where to look. This is why the first sign of a problem is often a large number of swarming (winged) termites leaving the colony.

Myth #2: My home was previously treated for termites, so I don’t need to worry.

Put simply, one treatment is not enough to keep termites away forever. As many as 13 or 14 colonies can occupy a one-acre area, leaving a house vulnerable even if it has been treated in the past. Moreover, getting rid of termites when you see them barely holds a candle to effective prevention: Deterrent methods in and around your home, regular inspection, and/or preventive treatments with a company experienced in termite control are the best lines of defense.

Myth #3: My house is brick/concrete and therefore safe from termites.

Eating wood is hard enough, so it's true that termites cannot chew through brick or concrete- that said, a brick house or concrete slab doesn't guarantee protection from termites. They’ll find their way inside through any cracks in the brick or concrete, where they’ll make quick work of wood framing, flooring, or furniture, even drywall and wallpaper.

Myth #4: There are plenty of trees and other wood nearby, so termites aren't interested in my home.

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Termites don’t stop eating. They will chew and chew until there’s nothing left to eat. So while, yes, termites might be happy to gnaw away at trees and other debris near your home or property, they are pretty indiscriminate and have no problem moving straight to your house, especially when they've exhausted other resources.

Myth #5: It’s wintertime or cold outside, so termites are hibernating and not a threat.

Provided there isn't a long period of freezing temperatures, termites are less affected by cold weather than you'd expect. Subterranean termites simply retreat further underground to keep warm, and the closer to a warm basement or structure, the better. While they may move more slowly, they are still very much a problem in winter.

So now that you have this information to chew on, is it safe to say you wood prefer to stay termite-free? The termite experts at Burgess Pest have had customers swarming to us for nearly a century: Call today for a free termite control estimate!