While termites may spell disaster for your home, they are fascinating creatures with many defensive capabilities. Here are three reasons termites are so difficult to get rid of on your own.
Nest Quality
Most people understand that when trying to get rid of a particular pest, it’s best to go to the source. Different types of termites build different types of nests, but they all have one thing in common: durability. Drywood termites take advantage of wood’s inherent strength, making nests that have built-in defense. However, some types of termites can also build nests outside. Some build above-ground termite nests, held together with fecal matter, mud and saliva. No matter the type of termite, it’s going to take professional expertise to fully destroy their nests.
Omnivorous Taste
While termites are known for munching on wood, they have been known to diversify their diet depending on their needs and their immediate surroundings. For example, some have been found to eat wallpaper and fabric, making them even more of a menace to your home than you expected. In very rare instances, they might even eat plastic.
Longevity
One of the most difficult aspects of getting rid of termites is how plentiful they are. Termite queens can lay an average of one egg every 15 seconds, making for 40,000 new eggs each day. Additionally, queens can keep laying at this rate for up to 20 years. If you don’t manage to eliminate the queen in your pest control efforts, your attempt will end up being nothing more than a minor setback for termite reproduction.
As you can see, termites are extremely hardy and will put up a fight when you try to get rid of them on your own. If you’re having an issue with these bugs, be sure to consult professionals to make sure the threat is completely eliminated.
