A. By building ingenious mud tubes, termites can cross many feet of concrete, brick, cinder block, treated wood, or metal termite shields, making it poosible to reach the upper floors of a structure.
B. Termites eat wood from the inside out, defying detection for years while doing extensive damage.

How do termites get in?
Because termites need moisture and have a low tolerance to moving air currents and light, they live underground, attacking a home from below.

A loose mortar joint, a minute space around a drain pipe, or a settlement crack in the basement is all they need to gain entry.

Aren't new homes and houses with concrete slabs virtually termite-proof?
The experience of homeowners nationwide shows that no home, new or old, is safe from termites. By building mud tubes, termites can cross concrete, brick, cinder block, metal termite shields, pre-treated wood, and non-repellent chemical barriers. Only a professionally-applied repellent termite treatment will prevent termite entry.

If I haven't seen swarming termites, or traces of damage, can my home still be in danger?
Unfortunately, yes. When a colony swarms, the winged termites may be in the air for just a few minutes and you may not see them.

Termites also eat wood from the inside out, making their activity detectable only by professional termite inspection.

When is the right time to call in a termite professional?
The longer you delay treatment, the more damage termites can do. Repairs will become extensive, and more expensive. Generally speaking, the sooner you approve treatment, the better. Even if you have not seen evidence of termite activity or damage, it is important to have your home professionally inspected.

Printable PDF files available for this section include:
Termite Damage Information