A magnifying glass showing a termite.

Termites are sneaky. Even though we often can’t see them, they’re working on expanding their colonies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their singular devotion to perpetual growth spells disaster for any businesses unfortunate enough to encounter the wood eaters. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage each year.

If you want to defend against this potential damage (and you do–that’s billions, with a “b”), you’ll need to know a thing or two about termites. Specifically, you should know what they are, what they want, and how you can keep them from getting it. We want to help you prevent termite damage, which is why we put together this primer. Here’s all the info you need to keep termites from literally eating up your business:

What are termites?

There are over two thousand different species of termites worldwide and over forty species in the United States alone. Their appearances differ based on species, but they all look fairly similar to one another. Termites usually measure between one quarter and one half of an inch long. Their bodies are soft, ranging in color from white to light brown, and they have straight antennae. 

Termites feed off of the cellulose found in wood. In the process of feeding off of this cellulose, they hollow out tunnels through wood. They use these tunnels as colony living chambers, growing and expanding as they continue to eat. The more they eat, the faster the colony grows. The faster the colony grows, the more they eat. It’s easy to see why termites are such a problem for wooden structures everywhere.

What types of termites are common in New York?

There are 45 different species of termites in the continental United States. These varieties are divided into three main types with distinct biology and behaviors. These types are:

Subterranean termites are the most common termites in New York, but any of the three varieties could infest your business.

Termite Exclusion Tips

There are a number of ways to prevent termites from entering your home. These include:

Our last tip is to contact a professional commercial pest management company as soon as you suspect you have a termite infestation. A team like the one at Assured Environments will know exactly what to do. Not only can we remove existing infestations, but we can also prevent future problems. 

If you have any additional termite-related questions, give Assured Environments a call today. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and help keep your business safe from wood-gnawing pests now and in the future.