How Common Are Termites In Washington State

Dampwood termites most of us have seen even if we don t recognize what they are.

How common are termites in washington state. In coastal washington during the day in the summer is when the western drywood termites swarm. We actually have two common varieties of termites here. It should be noted that dampwood termites can live in decorative stumps or logs in the landscaping surrounding a well built home without threatening it in any way. We do see a few homes in the area with termites so we are not completely immune to termites but overall they are not a high risk for homes in our area.

However dampwood termite are less likely to damage structures than subterranean and drywood termites. A third species the drywood termite incisitermes minor has been found occasionally but there is no evidence that it has become established. The western subterranean termite reticulitermes hesperus and the pacific dampwood termite zootermopsis angusticollis. Dampwood termite extermination and or termite control is accomplished by solving the moisture problem and only then possibly supplementing the moisture control with a termiticide application.

These particular termites are larger than subterranean termites and quite a bit less scary. Dampwood termites rarely infest homes they will be included later in this discussion the northern states show very little termite activity because of the colder climate termites colonies would freeze in the winter therefore they stay away. Subterranean termites are usually the cause for most damaged homes in washington state. These types of termites are large and brown and have wings.

Higher and drier altitudes are preferred ranging up to 9 000 feet above sea level. They look an awful lot like ants but have a two segmented body not three like an ant. Subterranean termites are known to damage homes in washington. With a proper termite prevention program in place you could save thousands in termite damage.

Commonly the pacific dampwood termite swarms. Yes we do have termites here in beautiful washington state and yes they do a lot of damage to a lot of nice homes. When do termites swarm in washington. Fortunately termites are very rare in western washington.

Primarily a forest dwelling termite this termite is the common termite found in the californian mountains. Termite colonies can increase to about 1 million workers who can destroy 100 pounds of wood per year. Destructive termites in washington. Subterranean termites are the ones that can cause the most damage in our area.

There are two common species of termites in the pnw. In fact they have been flying around quite a bit these last few weeks. They do far less damage and only infest wood that has a high moisture content. In the middle of the country there are subterranean and formosan termites.

In the seattle area termites cause on average 3 300 in damage per year. Dampwood termites also are common in washington.