Flying Termites – Usually it is this type of termite that people see most commonly and also what leads them to call us. The flying Termite’s only job is to reproduce and establish new nests.
Dry Wood Termites - This is unambiguous species of termite lives in wood and does not burrow into the soil. Treatment for Dry Wood Termites will usually involve a tent around your home or business.
Subterranean Termites - This is the most common of all termites and lives all throughout the United States, but mostly in east Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. Since they have very little resistance to dehydration, moisture is vital to subterranean termites. To survive, they must maintain contact with the soil. Subterranean termites fabricate unique "mud tubes" to gain access to food sources and to shield themselves from the open air.
Formosan Termites – Native to Asia and have been known to live in the southern parts of the U.S. – Formosan Termites are very damaging to property and can destroy your home much more quickly than other varieties. Formosan termites have been reported from 11 states including: Texas, Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Hawaii.
If you have no termite problems, usually an inspection once per year is enough, even in areas with significant termite problems. If you have found and eliminated a colony you need to have more frequent inspections - probably at least once every three months. You can go back to annual inspections once you have been termite free for a year or so. It is very hard to make a house impossible for termites to get into, because they can build little mud tunnels that allow them to bypass non-wood parts of the structure.
It is a good idea to keep it at least a few inches away from the foundation of your structure and don't let it touch any wooden structures. You want to create a “death bridge” for them to cross. (You eliminate a protected, moist pathway for them to walk through). What helps them is the moisture, not the wood. there are some websites out there that say mulch can actually have termites in it when you buy it. There was a rumor going around that Formosan termites have been spread from people buying mulch. This is false. Mulch is created by grinding wood up at high temperatures that would kill any termites inside. Also, mulch is beneficial to your landscape. A termite inspection once a year is recommended to monitor any termite activity.
Yes. They eat anything containing cellulose, which includes wood, drywall, books, and carpet among other things in your home.
The Soldier termites, which live inside the colony and attack invaders, could bite humans. Overall, termites are not dangerous to people (only their wallets).