Ford’s Pest of the Month: Eastern Subterranean Termites

As their name indicates the type of termites we deal with in New England are Subterranean and are typically moving around in the soil. Termites are an important part of recycling in the environment but are a structural destructive force in your home or business. Termites enter your home through a crack less than 1/16th of an inch. In a colony you will find workers, soldiers and reproductive termites.  Termites require a moist environment in order to survive so they need to get back down into the soil to re-moisturize their bodies. In the springtime a “swarm” of winged termites can be seen inside or outside of your home.

We Have Found Termites Damaging:

• Pool Liners
• Cardboard Boxes
• Books
• Paper Off Of Sheetrock
• Wood Paneling
• Carpet Backing
• Tree Stumps
• Wood Piles
• A Baseball Bat Lying On The Ground
• Mulch
• Picnic Tables & Other Wooden Lawn Furniture
• Wooden Stakes In Gardens (For Tomato Plants)
• Styrofoam Insulation
• Pressure Treated Wood
• Pallets On The Floor Of A Basement

Since termite colonies are in the ground or must return to the ground, the full area around the foundation is treated to create a barrier around your home. The chemical used (a termiticide) cannot be detected by the termites. Through their social interactions, they pass this material on to each other. Slowly knocking off each member of the colony in such a way that they don’t realize they are in danger. Are you beeing bugged? Contact us.

Geoffrey Ford, Vice President
Ford’s Hometown Services