When you think about a pest that burrows into the wood structures in your home, multiplies at a rapid rate, and leaves you with thousands of dollars’ worth of damage, any homeowner is bound to be a little nervous. Termites are perhaps one of the scariest pest issues that a homeowner can face, so if you discover you have a problem with termites, a worried reaction is to be expected.
The key to handling a termite infestation is knowledge and a good pest control agent. While most homeowners know what termites are and even understand their threat, they do usually have specific questions. Here is a look at some common questions that worried homeowners have about termites.
Just How Quickly Can Termites Reproduce?
The rate at which the termite queen will produce eggs depends on the age of the colony. In the earliest development of a
colony of termites
, a queen will not produce as many eggs, but as the colony gets more populated and older, the queen can lay as many as 1,000 eggs per day.
It is the tendency of termites to reproduce more as the colony grows that is most dangerous for homeowners. What looks like a small, manageable problem with termites at first can evolve into a full-on infestation if left unattended for a long period.
Are Termites a Health Hazard to Humans?
Termites themselves are not a known health hazard to humans. Even though they can accumulate in your home and could be deemed unsanitary, termite droppings are actually consumed in some parts of the world because they have nutritional value and are primarily composed of digested wood particles.
However, there is some concern that people could be allergic to termites and their fecal matter. So you should take notice of any skin reactions or allergic sensitivities if you have a major infestation in your household and come into close contact with the termites, their nests, or their droppings.
Termites are not predatory creatures. Instead, they are often sought after by predators like birds, ants, and other insects. Therefore, getting bitten by a termite would be unlikely even if they are in close proximity or get on you. A soldier termite could possibly deliver a bite if handled, but for the most part, termite bites are not a concern.
How Long Does It Take for Termites to Cause Significant Damage?
One of the primary problems with termites is the fact that they have an almost insatiable appetite for the cellulose in the wood they consume. These insects keep going through your wood for food 24 hours a day at a fast rate. Even worse, they stay hidden away, burrowed through tunnels they create in the wood, so you may not see damage even though you know the termites are present.
Measuring how long it takes for termites to cause significant damage is difficult because:
- Termites eat through material at different rates according to the density of the material
- Termite colonies can range in size so dramatically
- Termites don't always feed in the same places all the time
While it is hard to determine exactly how quickly any damage to your home can occur, you should know that termite colonies can consist of millions of bugs in their largest state. With this large amount of termites eating every day, all day, severe damage is definitely imminent.
Even though a termite infestation can be a scary situation, it is a situation that can be handled with a good plan, ongoing treatment, and professional pest control help. Contact
Copeland Exterminating Service
for help if you have an infestation of termites in your home.