What Every Kittitas County Homeowner Should Know About Termites

Washington’s humid, rainy climate makes it the perfect place for termites of all types to thrive, and Kittitas County is no exception. Here’s what local homeowners should know about what termites look like, where termites live, the difference between subterranean and dampwood termites, and how to get rid of termites with pest control in Kittitas County.

What Do Termites Look Like?

How do termites look? Termites can be one of the more difficult pests to identify since their appearance can vary based on the type of termite and their position in the colony. But regardless of subspecies, most termites tend to have a similar size and shape to ants.

Termite coloring can range from creamy white to dark brown, but most termites share the same distinct characteristics: thin waists, straight antennae, and six legs. Do termites fly? Not all termites can fly, but reproductive termites, or alates, do have wings and are capable of flight. Alates are still poor fliers and usually only fly until they find a mate and they are able to shed their wings.

Can termites bite? When it comes to biting, there’s good and bad news with termites. While they can’t bite or otherwise harm people, they can use their mandibles to chew through wood and damage your home.

Where Do Termites Live?

Termites can survive in almost any state, including Washington. These pests can live in several areas of your home or property, including underground, in the walls, furniture, or even in kitchens or bathrooms. The location of the colony can depend on the type of termite.

One of Kittitas County’s most common types of termites, subterranean termites, prefer to live underground and in the soil. Subterranean termites always need some access to soil and moisture, but they’ll create their own tunnels to also maintain contact with wood sources as well.

Drywood termites aren’t as common in Washington, but they don’t typically live underground. Since they don’t need contact with soil, drywood termites have a preference for living in walls, floors, or even wooden furniture. Dampwood termites are another common termite in the Pacific Northwest and will create their colonies in moisture-rich areas of your home or property.

Dampwood Termites Vs. Subterranean Termites: Key Differences

Two of the most common termites that Kittitas County homeowners encounter in their homes include dampwood and subterranean termites, but how do you tell the difference between these two species?

Differences

Some of the biggest differences between subterranean and dampwood termites include:

• Dampwood termites need to live in damp or decaying wood, while subterranean termites don’t have to.
• Dampwood termites don’t need to return to the soil to eat or survive, so they don’t create the same tunnels and mud tubes that subterranean termites do.
• Since they don’t create mud tubes or other obvious evidence of their presence, dampwood termites may be more difficult to find.
• Dampwood termites have a reputation for weakening support beams, while subterranean termites cause other structural damage.
• Dampwood termites may target homes with plumbing leaks, roof leaks, or other moisture issues that haven’t been addressed.

Similarities

Some of the similarities you’ll see in both dampwood and subterranean termite infestations include:

• Extensive structural damage that may take years to become obvious enough for homeowners to notice.
• Hollowed out wood, especially decaying or rotting wood.
• Discarded wings from reproductive alates after swarms.

Both subterranean and dampwood termites are a concern for Kittitas County homeowners, and both types are capable of causing significant damage if you don’t deal with the infestation.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Termites In Kittitas County

When it comes to getting rid of active termites, there’s really only one effective solution that will keep these pests out of your home permanently, and that’s working with the professionals at Prosite. We’re the trusted choice for pest management solutions in Kittitas County and Central Washington. Whether you’re dealing with subterranean termites, dampwood termites, drywood termites, or another species, we’ve got you covered with professional, eco-friendly solutions that will get the job done.

If you’re seeing evidence of termite damage in your Kittitas County home, you shouldn’t wait for these pests to cause any more damage to your property. Contact us today at Prosite to learn more about our termite control solutions or to schedule a free inspection of your home.