Are You Safe From Termites?

What insects cause as much property damage as fire? Believe it or not, the answer is termites and you could be their next victim! n nTermites - which are incorrectly referred to as “white ants” - have plagued man for centuries. Fossilized termite nests have been found in rocks dating over 220 million years old. There are about 2,000 different species and they’re found mainly in tropical countries.nnThese insects are considered serious pests in many parts of the world because they damage plants, houses and other wooden structures. nnOf the three groups of termites, the smallest and most destructive are the subterranean termites that build their nest underground. These nests or termitaries are huge elaborate colonies, interconnected by a complex network of passageways.n nThe king and queen of the colony belong to the royal or reproductive caste – the highest group. Their sole occupation is the production of eggs. These termites live longer than other members of the caste - sometimes as long as 10 years. nnThe queen grows as much as 20,000 times the size of other termites to hold as many eggs as she can. In a day, she lays about 50,000 eggs! A colony may contain from 100 to more than 1 million termites. nnFrom the colony, worker termites tunnel their way to wooden structures, searching for food. They feed mainly on wood, paper, cloth and other material containing cellulose. In the process, they destroy wooden posts and homes, bridges, books and furniture. Given enough time, they will feed on the wood until nothing is left but a shell.nnTo save your home from termites, here are some practical tips:nnBecause termites need moisture to live, remove sources of moisture in wood – repair leaks, relocate drains, and install sump pumps.nnEliminate food sources of termites like tree stumps, construction debris from under the house or near the foundation. nnMonitor your house regularly – at least once a year. Be wary of warning signs of termites like soft, crumbly wood, wood riddled with tunnels, fecal pellets or shed termite wings.nnOnce you’ve taken these precautions you can seep soundly without worrying about termites. To help you rest, take Sedamine – the supplement that fights insomnia so you can sleep naturally. Visit http://sedamine.com/ for details. n