Termites
Termites are a common pest found in many parts of the world, including Edmonton, Alberta. They can cause significant damage to structures made of wood by feeding on the cellulose found in the wood. The most common species of termites found in Edmonton are subterranean termites, which live and travel underground, and drywood termites, which live inside the wood they infest.
Subterranean termites are known to live in colonies in the soil near the foundations of buildings and homes, and they can enter structures through cracks or gaps in the foundation. They are typically small, about 3/8 inch long, and are cream-colored. They feed on wood, and can cause extensive damage to structural timbers, floors and walls, and other wooden elements of a building.
Drywood termites are known to infest dry, untreated wood such as attics, eaves, and furniture. They are also small, about 3/8 inch long, and are cream-colored. They can be harder to detect because they don't need to come in contact with the soil, they are able to live in the wood they infest. They can cause significant damage to wooden structures, furniture and other wooden items.
To prevent termite infestations, it is important to maintain a dry environment and eliminate sources of moisture, this can include fixing leaks, diverting water away from the foundation, and ventilating damp areas such as crawl
Subterranean termites
Subterranean termites are a type of termite that lives and travels underground, and they are one of the most common species of termites found in Edmonton, Alberta, as well as many parts of the world. They can cause significant damage to structures made of wood by feeding on the cellulose found in the wood.
Subterranean termites live in colonies in the soil near the foundations of buildings and homes, and they can enter structures through cracks or gaps in the foundation. They build underground tunnels or "mud tubes" to travel through soil and to reach their food source, the wood in buildings. They typically require soil contact and moisture to survive.
The workers of subterranean termites are small, cream-colored insects, about 3/8 inch long, and they are responsible for feeding and caring for the colony. They are responsible for feeding the colony, and they can cause extensive damage to structural timbers, floors and walls, and other wooden elements of a building. Winged reproductives, also called swarmers, usually appear in the spring or early summer, they are the colony's reproductives and are larger than the workers and soldiers, they are responsible for mating and starting new colonies.
Preventing subterranean termite infestations starts with maintaining a dry environment and eliminating sources of moisture, also, keeping vegetation and mulch away from the foundation, inspecting and maintaining the foundation of the house, as well as any wooden items in contact with the ground, are important preventive measures. Regular inspections by professional exterminator will help detect an infestation early, making it easier to treat. If an infestation is suspected, it is best to contact a professional pest control company for advice and treatment.
Drywood termites
Drywood termites are a type of termite that live inside the wood they infest and do not require contact with soil or moisture to survive. They are common in warmer climates and can cause significant damage to wooden structures, furniture, and other wooden items in homes and buildings. They can be found in Edmonton, Alberta but less common than subterranean termites.
Drywood termites are able to infest any type of dry, untreated wood such as attics, eaves, and furniture. They can also be found in structural timbers, flooring, and other wooden elements in a building. They are smaller than subterranean termites, about 3/8 inch long, and are cream-colored.
Unlike subterranean termites that build underground tunnels to reach their food source, drywood termites construct their colonies within the wood they infest, they can often go undetected for a long time before the infestation is noticed. They leave small, round exit holes on the wood surface and create small piles of sawdust and wood shavings called frass, which are often found near the infestation.
To prevent drywood termite infestations, it is important to use wood that has been treated or kiln-dried to kill any insects that may be present. Regular inspection and maintenance to detect early signs of infestation such as small holes, sawdust, and frass around baseboards or window frames are crucial. It is also important to reduce moisture in and around the building, as well as regular cleaning and vacuuming of attics and crawl spaces. If an infestation is suspected, it is best to contact a professional pest control company for advice and treatment.