What happens if termites are not treated?

Since many species of termites build colonies in the ground, reach the foundation and floor joists of your home isn't a very long journey. Termites that are left untreated can cause such extensive damage to your foundation and the supports of your subfloor that your floors could literally fall apart.
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Do termites go away without treatment?

Yes, they can go away on their own. Why is it a scary answer? Because you never know when they are going to come back! Without a termite treatment, there is no way of knowing when a healthy termite colony will return to re-infest a structure.
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Is it OK to live in a house with termites?

Termites are not known to be a health hazard to humans because they do not transmit diseases that are harmful to people. However, some people living in homes with termite infestation are likely to suffer from allergic reactions and even asthma attacks.
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Can houses collapse from termite damage?

Advanced termite damage can greatly affect the structural integrity of your home, even causing ceilings or floors to collapse. However, if damage does not affect your home's structure, your family's experience at home can still be impacted by ruined carpeting, walls, furniture or flooring.
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How serious is a termite problem?

In the most severe cases, termite infestation can mean the complete destruction of a house, and even a relatively minor attack of the wood-eating bugs can mean huge inconveniences and expensive treatments and restorative work. People pay well into the thousands of dollars to fix a termite problem.
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Millions of termites found in walls of couple's new home | A Current Affair



How fast can termites destroy a house?

With about 2 million termites working in the right condition they can cause significant damage within the first few months. A home can be totally destroyed in a year or two.
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Can termite damage walls?

Wall damage - Look for unexplained cracks on internal walls. As termites consume cellulose found in timber within walls, the visible cracks could be a sign of termite activity inside.
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How long does it take for termites to do serious damage?

Experts estimate that over a period of about five months, a group of around 60,000 termites can eat the equivalent of one foot of a 2x4 beam. No matter how fast they eat, the pests can do serious damage to homes before residents are even aware of it.
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How do you know if termites are in your walls?

Look for the following 8 common signs.
  1. Sign 1: Thin Lines (Tunnels) On Drywall. ...
  2. Sign 2: Tiny Holes In Walls. ...
  3. Sign 3: Swarmer Termites Flying Around. ...
  4. Sign 4: Doors Or Windows Don't Close Easily Anymore. ...
  5. Sign 5: Carpenter Ants Near Walls. ...
  6. Sign 6: Termite Dust At Base Of Wall. ...
  7. Sign 7: Faint Clicking Sounds In The Wall.
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What is lifespan of a termite?

Lifespan. Workers and soldiers live approximately one to two years. Queen termites may survive for over a decade under optimal climate conditions.
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When should I worry about termites?

During the winter months when termites are less active the most common signs of an infestation include: Mud tubes on the floors or walls. Paint that is bubbling and/or cracked – usually with frass coming out of the cracks. Wood surfaces that seem to be sunken in or cratered.
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Are termites hard to get rid of?

Termites can be a difficult pest to deal with, especially in warmer weather. For smaller infestations, there are many DIY solutions that homeowners can use and apply to get rid of termites. However, when dealing with large infestations, homeowners should call a professional exterminator to handle the issue.
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Can termites enter human body?

Can Termites Bite You? Termites are invertebrate insects that live in colonies and eat wood and other plant-based materials. Termite bites don't pose a risk to humans, and are very rare. Termites are more dangerous to people because of the damage they can do to wood in homes.
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What are signs of termite damage?

Keep an eye out for the following signs of termite activity:
  • Discolored or drooping drywall.
  • Peeling paint that resembles water damage.
  • Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
  • Small, pinpoint holes in drywall.
  • Buckling wooden or laminate floor boards.
  • Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor.
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Do termites come back after treatment?

Will termites come back after treatment? Termites may return after treatments. Luckily, companies like Orkin and Terminix promise to re-treat at no extra cost if you have a termite plan with them.
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How do I permanently get rid of termites in my house?

#3: Spray Boric Acid To Get Rid of Termites Permanently

Make a solution of borax powder and water and spray it on the affected areas to get rid of termites at home. It's a non-toxic method and ensures termites in cupboards and other wooden furniture vanish after a few applications.
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How fast do termites spread?

Termites forage almost at a constant bases and can spread up to 150 feet around their one colony. It doesn't take long for termites to 'nest' and an infestation can take place within a time span of a mere few days.
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What attracts termites to a house?

In addition to wood inside the home, termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors. Different combinations of these factors attract different species. Additionally, geographic location plays a role in how likely homeowners are to deal with infestations.
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How do you know where termites are coming from?

If you are a witness to hundreds of swarming termites outside, turn off all exterior lighting to avoid attracting them to your home. This is an indication that there is a termite colony nearby, somewhere in your yard. If you find swarming termites inside your house then you have an infestation.
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What do you do if your house is infested with termites?

Some of the best ways to get rid of termites is to apply termite-killing products to your home's exterior, use direct chemicals on the inside of your home, set up termite baits, and spray boric acid in your floors and walls.
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Can one termite cause damage?

But termites are not usually on their own, instead, surrounded by thousands of other termites within their colony. So while the damage that one termite can cause may be small, altogether termites can wreak havoc on building structures, floors, and other wood-based items such as furniture.
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How long can termites live in wood?

There are a number of variables that affect the lifespan of a termite. But generally speaking, termites live roughly 1-2 years on average.
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How do you tell if termites are behind drywall?

Common signs of termite damage to a wall include:
  1. Small pin holes, where termites have eaten through the paper coating on drywall and/or wallpaper. ...
  2. Faint 'lines' on drywall. ...
  3. A hollow sound when you tap on the wall.
  4. Bubbling or peeling paint.
  5. Baseboards that crumble under slight pressure.
  6. Jammed doors or windows.
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Can termites eat concrete?

Answer: Termites cannot eat through concrete. The issue is that no matter how well poured, concrete will crack as it settles. When poured around plumbing, it will retract or shrink from around the pipes.
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