In forests, termites serve an important function by eating dead
trees.
"That wood would be piling up if it weren't for termites,"
says Penn State entomologist Steve Jacobs. "But at the same
time, they can be pests when they get into our homes, and typically
our homes are our most valued possessions."
Jacobs says tiny house-dwelling termites are usually hard to find.
But spring is swarm season - when many homeowners discover their
termite problems for the first time. Jacobs says it's much easier
to spot the insects as they don wings in preparation for travel.
"When termites swarm they may be blown long distances,"
says Jacobs. "Because these are fairly small and fragile insects
and they can be blown along with the winds to start new colonies.
And if a food source is there, a colony will survive."
According to Jacobs, only one type of termite is native to Pennsylvania,
the subterranean termite. These insects build mud tunnels into homes
and munch on the wood in a house. Jacobs says homes in wooded areas
are at the highest risk of infestation, but it's also important
to maintain good drainage systems, since subterranean termites are
happiest chewing on moist foundations.
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