What attracts termites?

Just like every other insect, termites are also attracted by several things. But in the case of these social insects, the type of attractant depends on the species of the termite. There are more than a thousand species of termites, but the ones of interest here are the home invaders. These species of insects include subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites.

Naturally, dampwood and drywood termites prefer to live on the surface of woods. While subterranean termites build their colony in the soil under their food source and this particular species of termites usually tend to live in larger groups.

Do you want to know what attracts termites in order to be able to prevent them from infesting your home?

Right here, we will be taking you through some of the major things that attract termites.

So, what exactly attracts termites?

Though the common goal of every termite species is to find wood, each species of these social insects still have their preferences. Just as their name implies, drywood and dampwood termites prefer to look out for dry or moist wood respectively. While subterranean termites will only be attracted to moist wood that is close to moist soil or any dry wood that shares close contact with the soil.

These clearly show that termites are attracted to different things. The following are some of the common things that might attract termites to your property:

1. Moisture

Moisture is one thing that will attract termites to your home. Provided you have leaky pipes and improper drainage, termites will always find their way to your property. Their moisture-sensitive antennae make it possible for termites to detect moisture in a particular environment. The moment you have a log of wood close to moist soil, it’s just a short period before the wood gets infected with subterranean termites.

2. Woods that are in close contact with the foundation of a house

Another hot spot for termites is the wood around the foundation of a house. Subterranean termites need to be able to move through the soil before they can consume wood. With foundation wood, all they need is solved.

In addition to having moisture, the termites have unrestricted access to all the wood they need to feed on. If cracks are leading into your foundation, you need to seal them up as soon as possible because termites are always attracted to spots like this.

3. Cracks in building exteriors

Termites are always looking for the best way to gain access to either the roof or the foundation of a building. A single crack will serve as an opportunity to get inside the house and feed on the wood in the roof or foundation. Having such visible cracks will attract termites and make them want to come to start a new colony in your house.