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Common Termite Myths Debunked

Separating fact from fiction with evidence-based information about termites.

Myth #1: Termites Only Affect Old Homes

❌ MYTH: "My house is new, so I don't need to worry about termites."
✓ FACT: New homes are just as vulnerable as old ones. Termites can infest during construction or shortly after. New construction may have more exposed wood, fresh lumber attractive to termites, and disturbed soil that creates entry points. Pre-treatment during construction helps but isn't permanent protection.

Myth #2: Concrete Slab Foundations Prevent Termites

❌ MYTH: "I have a concrete slab, so termites can't get in."
✓ FACT: Termites can pass through cracks as small as 1/32 inch. Concrete develops cracks from settling, temperature changes, and age. Termites also enter through expansion joints, utility penetrations, and gaps where concrete meets wood. Slab foundations reduce risk but don't eliminate it.

Myth #3: Brick Homes Are Termite-Proof

❌ MYTH: "My brick house can't get termites."
✓ FACT: Brick is just a veneer. Behind brick exterior is wood framing that termites can access through foundation, crawl spaces, or gaps. Brick homes have same wood structure as any other home. The brick provides no protection to interior wood.

Myth #4: Termites Eat Fast

❌ MYTH: "If I had termites, I'd see major damage quickly."
✓ FACT: Termite damage develops slowly over months to years. A typical colony consumes 1-2 pounds of wood per week. Significant structural damage usually takes 3-8 years. However, large colonies (Formosan) or multiple colonies can cause faster damage. Slow progression is why regular inspections matter.

Myth #5: You Can See Termite Damage

❌ MYTH: "I'd notice if I had termites."
✓ FACT: Termites eat from inside out, leaving thin wood shell intact. Damage often hidden behind walls, under floors, or in crawl spaces. By the time damage is visible, infestation is usually advanced. Professional inspections detect early signs homeowners miss.

Myth #6: DIY Treatment Works as Well as Professional

❌ MYTH: "I can treat termites myself and save money."
✓ FACT: DIY success rate is 20-40% vs. 90%+ for professionals. Consumer products are less concentrated, application is often incomplete, and homeowners lack training to identify all affected areas. Failed DIY treatment allows continued damage while appearing to address problem. Professional treatment usually more cost-effective long-term.

Myth #7: One Treatment Eliminates Termites Forever

❌ MYTH: "Once treated, I never have to worry again."
✓ FACT: Treatment eliminates current infestation but doesn't prevent new colonies from entering. Liquid barriers degrade over 5-10 years. New construction, landscaping, or soil disturbance can create gaps. Annual inspections and warranty maintenance are essential for long-term protection.

Myth #8: Termites Only Eat Wood

❌ MYTH: "Termites only damage wood structures."
✓ FACT: Termites eat any cellulose material: books, paper, cardboard, insulation, drywall paper backing, fabric, and some plastics. They can damage non-wood items and will tunnel through foam insulation, rubber, and thin metal to reach food sources.

Myth #9: Termites Die in Winter

❌ MYTH: "Cold weather kills termites, so winter is safe."
✓ FACT: Subterranean termites retreat deeper into soil below frost line where temperature remains stable. Inside heated structures, they remain active year-round. Drywood termites are unaffected by cold since they live entirely within wood. Activity may slow but colonies survive winter.

Myth #10: Termites and Flying Ants Are the Same

❌ MYTH: "Those winged insects are probably just ants."
✓ FACT: While similar, termites and flying ants are different. Termites have straight antennae, equal-length wings, and thick waists. Flying ants have bent antennae, unequal wings, and pinched waists. Misidentification delays proper treatment. Learn more: Termites vs Ants

Myth #11: Mulch Causes Termite Infestations

❌ MYTH: "Mulch attracts termites to my house."
✓ FACT: Mulch provides moisture and food termites like, but doesn't cause infestations. Termites already in area may forage in mulch, but mulch doesn't attract them from distance. Keep mulch 6 inches from foundation, use inorganic alternatives near house, or choose cedar/cypress which termites avoid. Proper mulch use is safe.

Myth #12: Termites Spread From Neighbor's House

❌ MYTH: "My neighbor's termites will infest my house."
✓ FACT: Termite colonies are localized. Subterranean colonies forage 150-300 feet from nest, so adjacent properties could share a colony. However, termites don't "spread" like disease. Each property has independent risk based on conducive conditions. Neighbor's infestation suggests your area has termites, warranting inspection, but doesn't guarantee you'll get them.

Myth #13: Treated Wood Is Termite-Proof

❌ MYTH: "Pressure-treated lumber can't get termites."
✓ FACT: Pressure-treated wood resists termites but isn't immune. Treatment protects against decay and some insects, but determined termites can still attack it, especially if treatment has degraded over time. Cuts and holes expose untreated interior. Treated wood reduces risk but doesn't eliminate it.

Myth #14: Termites Make Noise

❌ MYTH: "I'd hear termites chewing if they were here."
✓ FACT: Termites are nearly silent. Soldier termites may tap heads against wood to signal danger (sounds like faint ticking), but this is rare and quiet. You won't hear chewing or movement. Relying on sound for detection means missing infestations.

Myth #15: Homeowners Insurance Covers Termite Damage

❌ MYTH: "My insurance will pay for termite damage."
✓ FACT: Standard homeowners insurance excludes termite damage. Insurers consider it preventable through maintenance and inspection. You're responsible for treatment and repair costs. Some policies cover damage from sudden collapse, but not gradual termite damage. Budget for prevention and treatment yourself.

Myth #16: Termites Only Live in Soil

❌ MYTH: "No soil contact means no termites."
✓ FACT: Only subterranean termites require soil contact. Drywood termites live entirely within wood with no soil needed. Dampwood termites need moisture but not soil. Homes on piers or with no ground contact can still get drywood or dampwood termites. Species identification matters for treatment.

Myth #17: Termites Are Attracted to Light

❌ MYTH: "Lights attract termites to my house."
✓ FACT: Winged termites (swarmers) are attracted to light during swarming, but this doesn't cause infestations. Swarmers near lights are looking for mates, not food. They rarely establish colonies successfully indoors. Light attraction is temporary behavior during swarming season only.

Myth #18: Orange Oil Eliminates Termites

❌ MYTH: "Natural orange oil treatment is as effective as chemicals."
✓ FACT: Orange oil (d-limonene) kills termites on contact but doesn't eliminate colonies. It only treats wood it directly contacts. Doesn't spread through colony like baits or provide barrier like liquid treatments. May work for very small, localized drywood infestations but ineffective for subterranean termites or widespread problems.

Myth #19: Termites Are Rare

❌ MYTH: "Termites are uncommon in my area."
✓ FACT: Termites are found in every U.S. state except Alaska. 1 in 5 homes will experience termite issues. Annual U.S. damage exceeds $5 billion. Some areas have higher risk, but termites are common nationwide. Assuming low risk leads to delayed detection and worse damage.

Myth #20: You Can Identify Termites by Damage Alone

❌ MYTH: "I can tell if it's termites by looking at the damage."
✓ FACT: Many wood-damaging issues look similar: termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, wood rot, water damage. Accurate identification requires seeing live insects, frass characteristics, gallery patterns, and associated signs. Misidentification leads to wrong treatment. Professional identification is essential.

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