A typical homeowner's insurance policy
does not cover destruction caused by termites, even though they cause over 1 billion dollars in damage to homes throughout
the United States each year. It’s important that homeowners understand the threat of termites, and take the necessary
steps to protect their homes.
Subterranean termites are extremely destructive. First they build tunnels to wooden
structures, and then they burrow into those structures to obtain food. Any wood or cellulose-containing material constitutes
termite food, and given time to do so, they’ll eat until nothing is left but a shell. Termites avoid light and air,
so they build their colonies where you’re not likely to stumble upon them.
On the off chance you do see
them, remember that it’s easy to confuse termites with ants. Fortunately, there are features that distinguish them.
Ants
- narrow
waists
- bent antennae
- two sets of wings
(one wing is longer than the other)
Termites
- thick
waists
- straight
antennae
- two sets
of wings (same size)
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