How Damaging are Termites? Facts and Figures

Unlike cockroaches, rodents, birds and stored product pests, termites do not pose a threat to our nation’s food supply. However, these destructive insects can pose a threat to the facilities that process, store and transport food products, and other commercial goods and services.

So how damaging are they to commercial facilities, really? Here are some facts and figures around the impact of termites:

• The three most commonly encountered termite species in Texas are the Eastern subterranean termite, Formosan termite and drywood termite.
• Termites are known as “silent destroyers” because of their ability to chew through wood, flooring and even wallpaper undetected.
• Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species of termite as they eat 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Termite colonies can have upwards of 2 million members.
• Termites are present in 70 percent of countries across the world and their population outnumbers human beings on a ratio of ten to one.
• The queen termite can lay up to 40,000 eggs per day.
• Research from the National Pest Management Association, places the annual bill for termite damage in the United States at more than $5 billion…

There are three primary termites that threaten commercial facilities in Texas – the Eastern subterranean, Formosan and drywood termite – each present a different challenge for facility managers and pest management professionals treating the property. Subterranean and Formosan termites typically swarm after a spring rain followed by warm temperatures in February and March. Drywood termites – which can be deeply hidden in wood and go undetected for years – swarm in April and May.

This means that if you haven’t yet been a victim of termite destruction yet, the odds are high if you live in Texas. To find out ways you can prevent these pests, download our free e-book, “The Impact of Termites on Commercial Facilities”, here.