red ants on blue pipe (Magnific)
Termites are among the most destructive pests that invade New Jersey homes. Each year, they cause billions of dollars in damage across the country as they silently destroy houses behind walls, under floors, and inside wooden structures on properties.
Subterranean termites are the most common termite species in our state; however, it’s important to be familiar with other types of termites that can also exist here. Knowing the differences between drywood termites, dampwood termites, and subterranean termites is a crucial step in protecting your home.
Precise Termite & Pest Control is your local specialist for all types of termites affecting our region, here to help you prevent termites and eliminate infestations.
Subterranean Termites: New Jersey’s Most Common Threat
The eastern subterranean termite is the main species responsible for damaging homes in New Jersey. These termites live in underground colonies that can contain up to millions of these insects.
Subterranean termites require constant moisture and build protective, pencil-sized mud tubes that let them travel between soil and wood. While consuming wood, they stay hidden from predators and dry air. You’ll often find these tubes along the foundation of a home, as well as along crawl spaces and basement walls. These types of termites eat wood from the inside out and cause damage often before homeowners ever notice a problem.
Drywood Termites: Putting Your Home’s Wood at Risk
Meanwhile, drywood termites can also live in New Jersey, although these types of termites are more typical in coastal and warmer southern climates. They most often appear in our state after being transported in termite-infested furniture, lumber, antiques, and other wooden items.
Drywood termites don’t require soil or use mud tubes like subterranean termites do. Instead, they establish colonies directly inside dry wood and get the moisture they need from the wood itself. A common sign of drywood termites is pellet-like droppings called frass, which they push through small openings in the wood. You may notice hollow-sounding wood, small exit holes, and blistering paint if you have drywood termites at home.
Dampwood Termites: A Top Reason to Prevent Moisture Buildup
Although dampwood termites are also fairly uncommon in New Jersey, they can exist here under the right conditions. These types of termites love very moist wood, such as decaying logs, tree stumps, water-damaged lumber, wet crawl spaces, and leaking roofs.
To prevent dampwood termites, it’s important to keep moisture problems under control. This may mean improving drainage around your home, repairing plumbing leaks, and maintaining proper ventilation.
Signs You May Have Termites
Homeowners should watch for the following warning signs, which may indicate they are dealing with one of these types of termites:
- Hollow or damaged wood
- Mud tubes along the foundation or crawl spaces
- Discarded wings near doors or windows
- Bubbling paint or warped wood
- Small piles of termite droppings
Professional Termite Control for New Jersey Homes
Whether you’re faced with subterranean termites, drywood termites, or dampwood termites, early intervention can save thousands of dollars in repair costs. At Precise, we provide professional termite inspections to determine the types of termites you have and then recommend the most effective treatment plan for your home.
Our experienced technicians offer customized treatments and preventative solutions to protect New Jersey homes year-round. If you’ve noticed any signs of termite activity or simply want us to come take a look for peace of mind, please contact us to schedule a free inspection so that even a small problem doesn’t quickly turn into expensive structural damage.