With over $2 billion of damages being done by termites each year in the United States, your chances of getting them in your Missouri home can be pretty high. Termites are known to infest homes in every state but Alaska, which means Missouri is no exception.
There are 50 species of termite found in the U.S., with as many as 20 being considered structural pests. The two most feared and destructive termite species are Subterranean and Formosan termites. These termites account for the majority of that $2 billion dollar figure.
Subterranean termites are a significant threat in Missouri where heat and humidity provide them the perfect environment. These termites require moisture and build mud tubes on the walls of a home so workers can go in and out of the structure. These termites can lay up to 30,000 eggs a day. Compare that to the chicken, which can lay between 180 to 320 eggs a year, and you might lose some sleep. Here is something else that might disturb your sleep: subterranean termites can consume wood 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Inside your home these termites can do a significant amount of damage with very little sign of their activity.
Formosan termites present an even greater challenge for homeowners in that, though they are a form of subterranean termite, they can build nests called "cartons" in attic spaces. These nests get so saturated from saliva and fecal matter that these termites don't need to use tubes to get to the soil. This makes them harder to detect and able to work more efficiently at breaking down wood in a home. Treatment reports in the southern states shows a rise in Formosan termite activity in northern areas. If this trend continues, it may not be long before we start to see them here in Missouri.
If you own a property in Missouri, it is wise to partner with a pest control company and get regular termite inspections. Termites can be hard to detect. And, if left untreated, they can make a structure uninhabitable. Seal your property from termites and other insect threats with regular treatments. Then, when termites try to strike, you won't be taken by surprise.
Check out other ways to protect and maintain your home here: https://porch.com/advice/qa-house-repairs-and-maintenance.
