How Quickly Do Termites Cause Damage?
WouterTermites are a sneaky pest, and the damage that they cause can often go unnoticed for months. The damage that termites cause depends on several factors, including the size of the colony and the type of termites.
A single colony may consist of a few million termites. A large colony can consume one pound of wood every 24 hours. The size of the colony can affect the amount of wood that is eaten and the duration of the damage. The type of termites that live in your home will also affect the speed with which damage occurs.
In cold weather, termites will burrow deeper into the ground. A subterranean colony can reach a population of over a million termites. These termites are able to travel through underground mud tubes. They also produce swarms, which can contain hundreds of termites flying around.
Termites have a hierarchical colony system. They have a queen termite, which can lay about 30,000 eggs per day. The workers will leave the colony to find food, signaling to the colony when they have found it. The colony will grow through reproduction and interaction with other colonies.
Depending on the type of termite, the damage that they cause may take three to eight years to become noticeable. Damage from a small colony can be noticeable within five months. Formosan termites are known for being aggressive, and can cause extensive damage in only six months.
Drywood termites are more likely to cause structural damage, but they are easier to control than subterranean or dampwood termites. In addition, these termites do not need soil moisture to survive.
