Prevention of Subterranean Termites
There are four species of termites in the Tehachapi area. Most prevalent are the Subterranean Termites. "Sub", meaning under, makes it easy to remember that subterranean termites are underground. They live in the soil and have hundreds of thousands of colony members. The workers of the colony cause all the damage. Their search for wood and wood products is endless. The colony is actually five to fifteen feet below the surface of the ground and while the workers dig tunnels to search for a wood source the soldiers protect the tunnels and colony from invading ants which are their natual enemies. The soldiers have larger heads with mandibles that easily "chomp" the ants in half or take their heads off!
There are preventative steps you can take to help avoid an infestation.
- Keeping the soil 4 to 6 inches from the bottom of wood siding, exposing the foundation, will force termites to build an earth tube to get to the wood. This makes them visable to humans and vulnerable to attack by ants.
- The next time you bring in firewood for the winter and you are tempted to pile it next to your house, think again! Firewood piles are a great source of food for termites. You won't care if they munch on it at the back of your property, but you will care if it's right next to your house and they discover your siding or your framing. If you really need your firewood next to the house, lay down masonry block with planks across, and pile the firewood on that. This will make it harder for the termites to find it, and your house.
Don't be a victim to termites!
