Termite Facts

In honor of Termite Week, here are a few termite facts that you may find interesting.

• Termites are wood-destroying insects whose presence dates back to the dinosaurs.
• Termites are known as “silent destroyers” because of their ability to chew through wood flooring and even wallpaper undetected.
• There are about 2,000 known species of termites in the world.
• The most common termite species found int he United States are subterranean termites, Formosan termites, dampwood termites and drywood termites.
• Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species of termite as they eat 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
• Each year termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage.
• Termite colonies can have upwards of 2 million members.
• Termites are present in 70% of countries across the world and their population outnumbers human beings on a ration of ten to one.
• The queen termite can lay up to 40,000 eggs per day.