Which States Have Termites?
WouterTermites are a destructive pest that destroys billions of dollars worth of wood structures each year. Generally speaking, the more southern a state is, the more common an infestation is. In fact, the majority of termites are found in the south.
Termites are omnivores, meaning they eat plant fibers and cellulose in wood. They live in underground colonies, and build tunnels to reach food sources. These colonies are organized into castes based on tasks.
There are more than 50 different species of termites. They can be divided into three broad categories: drywood, dampwood, and subterranean. The most common termites are subterranean. These termites form large colonies, with mud tubes that protect them from open air.
During warmer weather, these termites will swarm. They will expand their area to mate, and will then leave their colony. This is the best time to spot an infestation.
Most of the swarming occurs in April and May. If you know that the termites will swarm, you can take extra precautions during that time. You can also have a professional check your home annually to detect an infestation.
In the northern states, termites are less active during winter months. This is because of a phenomenon called zonal creep. A termite swarm can travel hundreds of feet from its original colony to other locations.
In the southern states, however, the climate is more temperate, allowing termites to stay active during the winter months. The southernmost states have more termite species than the northern states.
